Daimler, watch out! BMW is stepping into the 4 door “coupe” territory with the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is new for BMW in a car form.  On the other hand, BMW pioneered the 4 door SUV, SAV in BMW speak, with the introduction of the BMW X6 in 2009, which created a totally new segment. It’s true that Mercedes started this car segment with the CLS, and then followed by the VW Passat CC years later, the Porsche Panamera, and the Audi A7.

It’s never too late for BMW to get a piece of the pie in this now popular, and so far, German-dominated category. If the X5 is an indicator of how this new 6 Series Coupe will behave dynamically, BMW will pioneer this segment in terms of handling and shear driving pleasure.

The BMW 6 Series Coupe features low slung lines that are uniquely attractive while viewing the car from the side profile. The recessed passenger side tends lower and appears to be stretched out as the window shape expands towards the C-pillar. All four doors are frame-less, which is reminiscent of a true elegant and attractive coupe. Xenon headlights are standard, while LED BMW halo “angel eyes” are optional. Designers extended the side windows to permit for light to enter the cabin to enhance the appearance of space of the interior.

Grand Coupe sets the standard in terms the language of aesthetic architecture as compared with the competition. Especially in the area around its low slope, as the flat lines of its sculpted roof smoothly approach the back end.

As of now, the car is set to have 3 different engine choices. Europe gets an exclusive 3.0L oil burning inline 6 engine delivering 320 hp (235 kW), which helps accelerate the 640d from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.4 seconds. With the same 0-60 time, the 640i Gran Coupe will be available with a fairly familiar BMW TwinPower Turbo, twin turbo in BMW speak, 3.0L inline-6 delivering 320 hp (235 kW). A 20 hp bump up from the 300 hp from the F30 335i and the F10 535i. A third engine choice is the monstrous, yet efficient, 4.4L V8 TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine in the 650i that delivers 450 hp (235 kW), and comes available with an optional xDrive four-wheel drive system for people living around the Snow Belt. Direct injections as well as VALVTRONIC are now also employed in the new V8 engine. Just 650i reaches 60 mph (100 km/h) in an impressive 4.6 seconds.


Stop-start technology comes standard with all engine choices, as well as a standard 8-speed sporty automatic transmission with an ECO PRO mode. These technologies help the 6 series deliver very promising fuel economy, which is the driver behind all of the above mentioned technologies.

Here is a quick look on some of the systems the BMW employed for increasing the ever stringent fuel efficiency demands: Brake energy regeneration, electromechanical power steering, on demand ancillary units, detachable air conditioning compressor (reduces drag on the engine), light weight composite and fiberglass hood. Aluminum is used for the trunk lid, doors, and a large portion of the chassis components.

The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe will be assembled in at BMW’s Dingolfing plant in Germany, alongside the 6 Series coupe, 5 Series, and 7 Series. It will enter the US market as a 2013 model, get your checkbook ready.

[wzslider info=”true” lightbox=”true”]

 

Tags: