It's been a long time coming, but finally BMW has a rival for the Mercedes CLS – and the Audi A7 too. This is the new Gran Coupe, the firm's four-door version of the 6 Series.
First revealed at the Beijing Motor Show last year, the new model has appeared on German roads almost unchanged from the original 'concept' that previewed it.
Apart from some of BMW's usual swirly disguise on its flanks and rear lights, this prototype shows that the new model is a very handsome machine – looking every inch the more practical and spacious 6 Series.
At the front is the traditional kidney grille flanked by aggressive LED headlights. In profile, all the BMW hallmarks are present and correct – there are short overhangs front and rear, a long wheelbase and a coupe-like roofline which is a full 10cm lower than a 7 Series. The C-pillar features the latest interpretation of the Hofmeister kink, which will be outlined in chrome on the finished car.
At the rear, there are L-shaped LED lights, tailpipes on either side and a concave bootlid. One change over the concept is that the third brake has been moved from the top of the rear windscreen (as on a Bentley Continental GT) to the top of the bootlid.
Inside, expect BMW to offer a spacious rear seat layout with just two seats, allowing occupants to stretch out in more comfort. Just like the 6 Series two-door coupe and convertible, the Gran Coupe will get the same range of engines too, including BMW’s latest direct injection 3.0-litre turbo petrol and diesel engines, as well as a flagship V8 petrol.
The Gran Coupe is set to star at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with sales starting in early 2012. Prices will kick off at around £45,000.
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It even has 4 wheels (and a small black spare thingy). Fortunately Autoexpress is not dependant on German 'new' car designs otherwise it would be a yearly magazine. And even then...
The car will also come with an ENGINE and one produced by BMW of all people. This will power the vehicle, allowing it to be propelled along roads....
Come back Bangle, all is forgiven.
...that's been sat upon by an elephant.
doesn't look that bad. in fact it actually looks better than the 2-door coupe.
Jag should come out with the XK 4 door. i'm sure they can steal the show and leave the Germans gasping for air. if they are already planning the SUV route (which i prefered they didn't) and estates then why not take the luxury sport saloon to the next level with a XJ coupe, including a soft top coupe XJ, and a 4 door XK hard and soft top.
Will the world stop calling a 4 door car a coupe?
Wow!
It's lucky they covered it in all those stickers, if they hadn't it might have gone past the photographers without being seen
New BMW...Yawn, yawn,yawn
Best driving car in the World..Snoooooooze.
German design...Snoore.
This car will be snapped up in its masses by the sheep in Senior management..Only in grey or Black though...Bahhhhhh!
Who cares?
Well what can I say that hasn't been said anyway!! I can only presume that they are not flogging the new coupe thingy very well!! this looks really hidious and makes the Audi A7 look sweet!!! BMW is loosing its identitiy/uniqueness/or whatever you want to call it, and in I really don't know where the Germans are going with their designs!!??? not very good BMW....... its a kinda rubbish!!
I'm a BMW fan but have to say of other models the styling can be edgy or awkward, then the new 5 and now this is a bit bland, which is exactly what was said of nineteen nineties bimmers. Looks like styling has gone full circle then, just like most fashions.
nice car, I hope BMW will have an m version as well, but when is the new 8-series coming?
Apart from those rather over wide kidney grilles and the weak front end, the rest looks well proportioned, has clean lines etc...if a little bland. I think the Audi A7 Sportback and Mercedes CLS does it better.
Of course it looks bland - it's painted white.
The 8-series was a replacement for the 70's 6-series.
The last 6-series a replacement for the 8-series, which was a superb car, but too heavy.
This will be a gorgeous car, and all the "I hate BMW" losers out there will see, as usual, that the buying public don't care what they think, and will show much increased sales over the outgoing model.
BMW tech is so much higher than Mercs or Jag, it leaves them a generation behing each time.
Don't knock what you can't afford.
Oh, & hey.....lucky elephant.