- BMW's head of exterior design, Karim Habib, says the 6 Series Gran Coupe is the "most extreme statement of BMW design."
- It is 4.4 inches longer than the two-door coupe.
- There is genuine space for four but the fifth seat is compromised.
- U.K. prices are in line with the 7 Series, with U.S. prices to be announced nearer the summer 2012 on-sale date.
LONDON — According to BMW's head of exterior design, Karim Habib, the new 6 Series Gran Coupe is the "most extreme statement of BMW's sporty, elegant design." Habib revealed BMW's first ever four-door coupe at a press dinner in London, attended by Inside Line.
The car was being shown for the first time ahead of its debut at next month's 2012 Detroit Auto Show. So secretive was the presentation that we were only able to view the car on the proviso that we didn't take photographs. What we can reveal, though, is that the car looks even better in the metal than it does in photographs. Some 4.4 inches longer than the two-door, the four-door's proportions actually look more harmonious. Fears that the Gran Coupe would look uncomfortably "stretched" can be allayed.
It is also much more practical than the standard coupe. While the rear of the two-door is a tight squeeze for anyone post-adolescence, the Gran Coupe can seat a quartet of 6-footers with comparative ease. The fifth occupant will suffer, though. The extension of the center console to meet the rear seat means that the central passenger must pose as if riding a horse. It'll be fine for short trips, but no more.
BMW is keen to present the car as the boutique option, no doubt to counter the similarly priced 7 Series' greater practicality. Among the niceties on display in London were LED front headlights and a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system, which makes an art form of the speakers. This car is not short of desirability.
The Gran Coupe goes on sale next summer and the price list for the U.S. has yet to be announced. European prices have been revealed, though, and make interesting reading. In the U.K., the 640i will cost £61,380 ($96,270), which is just £1,815 ($2,847) more than the equivalent Coupe and, intriguingly, £155 ($243) more than a 740i. It also places the Gran Coupe at a significant premium compared with the both the Mercedes CLS (from £50,500 ($79K)) and the Audi A7 (from £45,240 ($71K)). Habib will be hoping that the "extreme elegance" of the Gran Coupe will be enough to encourage luxury car buyers to dig a little deeper into their pockets.
Inside Line says: More beautiful than the coupe but only a little more expensive, the Gran Coupe looks hugely desirable.
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dukeofdallas says:
04:24 PM, 01/09/2012
@ cardesigner -
The 5, 5GT, 6, 6GC and 7 are all built on the same modified platform. So, the platform used doesn't justify the 6GC being priced at or above 7-series levels.
j2j says:
01:17 AM, 12/23/2011
This needs cleaner, more aggressively styled headlamps.
rayzor says:
04:47 PM, 12/22/2011
"BMW's head of exterior design, Karim Habib, says the 6 Series Gran Coupe is the "most extreme statement of BMW design." "
Most extreme, indeed...Zzzz
gtrguy2012 says:
03:47 PM, 12/22/2011
cardesigner82
I agree, the first generation CLS was the best looking. Every time I see one on the road it still catches my eye. I have only seen one or two new generation CLSs on the road thus far and they are growing on me.
cardesigner82 says:
02:28 PM, 12/22/2011
I STILL think the 1st generation CLS was a more effective design than the current. It was identifiable and unique from a distance. The current CLS can easily pass as an E-Class. So, I disagree with that statement @gtrguy2012 ...just for the current iteration. Lol
The Audi to me is more refined whereas the CLS is overly designed (too many curves convex & concave surfaces).
The A7 is based on the A6 Platform and the CLS is based on an E-Class platform, thus they are significantly cheaper. The BMW GranCoupe is based on the flagship 7 Series justifying its price. Think of it as a sportier 7 Series. Seems like a different approach altogether, minus the coupe-like design.
miscpippa says:
02:14 PM, 12/22/2011
M. I. S. S. : Make it Smaller, Stupid
luxurycarlover says:
11:57 AM, 12/22/2011
I like the CLS the best still, but if this thing is 90k it will not be competitive. It should start down in the 70s otherwise itd be more pointless than it already is
dukeofdallas says:
08:17 AM, 12/22/2011
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I think the CLS (with all its random curves and angles) is the worst looking when compared with the A7 and this BMW. The BMW GC may be the best looking but I'd need to see it in person. The decision to price it above the 7 and way above it's most direct competitors blows my mind.
gtrguy2012 says:
07:36 AM, 12/22/2011
let's be honest, the regular 6 series coupe is not a pretty car to begin with, stretching it to 4 doors doesn't really make it better. The CLS started a segment and only it can pull it off the best. This thing will sell, but why would you buy it when a gorgeous CLS pull up next to you and shows your new ride up?
streetmoney21 says:
06:47 AM, 12/22/2011
This car looks much better than the 7 series. I wonder if it will sale better too.