If you liked the BMW Concept Gran Coupé at the Beijing auto show last April, prepare your checkbook: The Bavarians are readying it for a production launch next year. Our spy photographers caught what will be called the 6-series Gran Coupé looking remarkably showroom ready, with only a few camo stickers plastered over the side and rear.
Actually, BMW had plans to launch a large, elegant four-door a few years ago. Previewed by the Concept CS from 2007, the “four-door coupe”—a marketing phrase that makes as much sense as ”fixed-roof convertible”—was going to be longer, wider, and lower than a 7-series, and propelled by super-powerful V-8 and V-12 engines. But the project was killed when the economy turned turtle, and the man in charge, BMW M development guru Gerhard Richter, retired.
But the idea of a graceful, low four-door lived on at BMW. In Beijing last year, the company showed the Concept Gran Coupé, a sedan with the basic shape of the 6-series coupe. Aside from the number of doors and stretched roofline, it varied from the coupe only in minor details: larger air intakes, smaller side mirrors, a metal accent strip on the front fender, and rectangular exhaust pipes. Close inspection of the prototype seen in these shots shows that all of these details are gone. The front fascia is interchangeable with that of the 6-series coupe and convertible, and this car has a regular 6-series exhaust system.
A large panoramic sunroof is new, and hopefully doesn't add too much weight to the top of this already heavy car. The lightweight future that BMW loves to talk about will have to wait: Even though the company uses aluminum and composite materials for some exterior panels, we expect the Gran Coupé to tip the scales at around two tons. The previous 6-series was more consistent in its use of lightweight materials, with a complex front structure made entirely from aluminum.
Under the skin, the Gran Coupé shares virtually everything with the 6-series coupe and convertible— and, of course, the 5-series, which serves as the technological basis for the 6. Thanks to those roots, the Gran Coupé could theoretically be equipped with a large number of engines, including numerous inline-sixes and the super-powerful twin-turbo V-8 from the recently announced M5. But we suspect the lineup will be limited to remain in character with this model's elegant and discreet personality. Likely choices are the 300-hp, 3.0-liter, single-turbo inline-six; the 400-hp, 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8; and—in Europe—a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel six. Eight-speed automatics will be standard. The U.S. might get a six-speed manual, although we expect that option will remain confined to the two-door 6-series and the M5. All-wheel drive is technically possible, but unlikely.
Recently, BMW has ventured into perhaps a few too many niches—the so-called 5-series “Gran Turismo” comes to mind. But the Gran Coupé is a beautiful entry in a burgeoning segment that offers style and sophistication without the ostentation of a full-fledged luxury flagship like the 7-series. Direct competitors will include the Audi A7, Jaguar XF, and Mercedes-Benz CLS, while fully loaded Gran Coupés will encroach upon the territory of the Maserati Quattroporte and Porsche Panamera. Even in these spy photos, we can see that BMW's offering in this chic class will come with very few aesthetic compromises.Thanks to: Car and Driver
