BMW 6 Series shows Gran ambition

So, the last of Germany's three car kings joins the club of adding two more doors in the coupe segment. Typical fashion victims, cars are being reinvented in classes and breeds never seen before. SUVs shaped like coupes, coupes with four doors, convertibles with tin roofs... I wonder what's next.

October 2012 - From the Print Edition

BMW has just launched a four-door coupe called Gran Coupe, a trendy, stylish and expensive head turner. Targeting potential buyers of the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7, BMW is also taking on the Porsche Panamera.

The BMW Gran Coupe is the latest addition to the 6 family, following the successful launches of the 6 Series Coupe and Convertible. The 6 Series Gran Coupe is one of the most well proportioned cars in the segment, with sleek lines and everything else you might dream of when thinking about how a sports coupe should look.

The long bonnet and sweeping roofline is accentuated by the roof spoiler-mounted third brake light spreading along the entire length of the rear window. Once inside, as you would expect in a BMW, the driver gets all the attention. The BMW marketing team have already used this feature for the new 3 series campaign in which they stated that the car can seat five, "but four of them will be envious".

The test drive model came equipped with the plushest and most extravagant interior trim, with BMW Individual specs, featuring two-tone leather upholstery, white wood veneer and the full array of comfort gadgets available to order. Still, the cabin is surprisingly simple compared to its rivals, with very few buttons and switches.

The boot is a whopping 460 liters, which can be expanded to 1,265 liters if your purchasing decision is based on practicality.

Performance & Handling
The 640d we tested is a comfortable saloon, a sports car and a status symbol, all in one. Its TwinPower turbocharged 6-cylinder engine puts out 313hp and 630Nm of torque.

Performance figures show that it can do 0 to 100 km/h in about 5.4 seconds, which is fast Porsche territory, and all with consumption figures on average below 10 liters/100 km. The car is fitted with the latest 8-speed automatic gearbox, which brilliantly complements the performance of the engine. To enhance the car's driving capabilities, you could tick another few boxes in the optional area, adding Dynamic Damper Control, and Adaptive Drive.

Different drive modes like Eco Pro, Sport, Sport+, Comfort, and Comfort+ will adjust the steering, gearbox and throttle response as well as tune the suspension settings, making the car more agile or comfortable, all at the push of a button.

The 6 Series Gran Coupe is one car with pure BMW DNA, offering a thrilling driving experience for those who can afford it.

By Adrian Ion

Vital Statistics
Model tested: 640d M Sport Gran Coupe
Engine: 2,993cc six-cylinder two-stage turbocharged diesel
Power: 313hp @ 4400
Torque: 630Nm @ 1500 – 2500
Acceleration: 0-100 in 5.4 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h
Emissions: 148g/km CO2
Starting price: EUR 67,400 + VAT