Wednesday 16th January 2013

New BMWs shown at Detroit

Two new models from Munich make their public debuts

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BMW’s new M6 Gran Coupe, as well as the new 4-Series, are both being shown to the public for the first time at Detroit.

4-Series longer, lower and wider than 3

As we’ve already reported, the M6 will pack a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine with 560hp – identical to the Audi RS7 with which it’ll go head-to-head. 0-60 will come up in 4.2 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 155mph, though like the RS7, an optional package will be available to raise the top speed to 189mph. Early reports indicate that, unlike the M5, there won’t be a manual option, but you will at least be able to personalise the map of the the dual-clutch auto. The new car will go on sale in Germany in May 2013 for around the €128,800 mark.

Also being shown for the first time is BMW’s 4-Series – or, rather, the 4-Series Coupe Concept. It’s a thinly-veiled version of the production car that will replace coupe versions of the 3-Series. The motorshow lights show very clearly that the new car’s more fluid lines will differentiate it in a more obvious way than any two-door 3 that’s gone before. it’s both wider and longer than the F30 saloon, and a noticeable 67mm lower. No word yet on when the 4-Series will hit the UK’s showrooms, but we expect it to be later this year.

[beetroute]

"Two new models from Munich make their public debuts for the first time"

So how would they make a debut for the second time then ?

[Captain Muppet]

It's probably just a mistake copied over from the press release.

[RacingJames1]

I think the 4 series will be a looker, probably more so when decked out in full m-sport attire.

[StottyZr]

The 4 series is georgeous. Lets hope they don't change the design at all

[buckline]

I'm not in a position to even contemplate buying a car like the M6 GC but that seems like an awful lot of money for a BMW. I would be interested to hear if anyone who does have the wherewithal would consider one.

Edited to make car query clearer.

[Munter]

Is it me. Or will we soon be looking out of a 1" high slot window on the side of cars. I know crash regs have made the door skin/frame higher. But with chopping a bit of height there doesn't appear to be much glass left.

How will one ever dive in through the window dukes of hazard style again!

[8vFTW]

I think the low roof lines are more due to this "saloons styled like coupes" bandwagon that everyone has been on for the last few years.

[B17NNS]

RacingJames1 said:

I think the 4 series will be a looker, probably more so when decked out in full m-sport attire.

BMW are making properly handsome cars again.

[kambites]

B17NNS said:

BMW are making properly handsome cars again.

They are? They look universally awful to me, just like almost every other manufacturer.

The 6GC isn't bad by modern standards, but it's still a bloated looking car by historical standards. From that picture, the 4 looks just as blobby as the E92 to me, which was horrible.

[SuperchargedVR6]

What are BMW and Audi going to do after they've used up the numbers from 1 to 10?

M2.5, Audi S8.3?

[MrGeoff]

buckline said:

I'm not in a position to even contemplate buying a car like the M6 GC but that seems like an awful lot of money for a BMW. I would be interested to hear if anyone who does have the wherewithal would consider one.

Edited to make car query clearer.

I'm with you on this, seems very expensive!

[Panda76]

buckline said:

I'm not in a position to even contemplate buying a car like the M6 GC but that seems like an awful lot of money for a BMW. I would be interested to hear if anyone who does have the wherewithal would consider one.

Edited to make car query clearer.

If the mortgage was gone I would have one on a bubble for a couple of years.
Love the 6's.

[BuzzLightyear]

My local BMW dealer has a 6GC in the showroom and it looks fantastic IMO! Miles better than the photos suggest and not as bloated: A very attractive car.

This morning, I met a guy who is a serial BMW owner - he is buying a 640d GC.

[g3org3y]

B17NNS said:

RacingJames1 said:

I think the 4 series will be a looker, probably more so when decked out in full m-sport attire.

BMW are making properly handsome cars again.

Lovely, especially the 4 series. Best looking BMW for a while imo.

[Galsia]

How original. *YAWN*

[will261058]

buckline said:

I'm not in a position to even contemplate buying a car like the M6 GC but that seems like an awful lot of money for a BMW. I would be interested to hear if anyone who does have the wherewithal would consider one.

Edited to make car query clearer.

Im not either but thats what Market Research is for and I am sure BMW have done this.

[will261058]

That M6 GC is the best looking 4 door coupe by a country mile IMO and the 4 series is lovely too! I just hope BMW find a way for the M3 lineage to continue!

[pSyCoSiS]

I personally think that both of these are top models and look very nice indeed.

Looking forward to seeing the BMW 4 Series in the flesh...

[nickfrog]

StottyZr said:

The 4 series is georgeous. Lets hope they don't change the design at all

I agree. They won't change it as it's not a concept, it's clearly a tooled up and production ready that they have tried to slightly look like a concept to attract more attention, TT style.

[garypotter]

kambites said:

B17NNS said:

BMW are making properly handsome cars again.

They are? They look universally awful to me, just like almost every other manufacturer.


+1 it does look much different to the outgoing model still an ugly fudger