Sleek four-door confirmed; concept also points the way for next 6-series
BMW has confirmed that its four-door Concept Gran coupe is heading for production - and that much of its design cues will be shared with the forthcoming new 6-series.
Klaus Draeger - a BMW board member - made the revelations at a recent BMW 'Design Night' press event in Munich. Draeger did not go into depth on this, but the Gran coupe is expected to hit showrooms by the end of 2012, while the new two-door 6-series is due next year.
According to German car website Automobilwoche The Gran Coupe will also be priced close to the 6-series coupe in an attempt to grab customers who might otherwise be tempted by a Mercedes CLS, Audi A7 or even a Porsche Panamera.
Like the two-door, the Gran coupe is likely to be offered with the whole gamut of BMW engines - diesel and petrol sixes, a 400bhp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8, and (hopefully) an M version with around 550bhp.
No decision has been made on whether a hybrid version is also on the way, although it is a possibility. "Since we use the same drive architecture as the Five, Six or Seven, we are able to bring a hybrid version," said Draeger.
Unlike the Porsche Panamera, says Automobilwoche, the Gran Coupe will be a conventional saloon, as BMW felt a saloon body structure was safer in the event of a rear-end impact, and that the extra security of a saloon bodystyle was crucial for some markets.
At least we think that's what this means... our German isn't too hot, and Google Translate is hardly the most trustworthy tool: ""Damit haben sie immer einen stärkeren Geräuscheintrag in den Innenraum, weil sie den Kofferraum nicht genügend dämmen können", begründete Draeger diese Entscheidung. Zudem biete das Gran Coupe so einen besseren Einbruchschutz, was in manchen Märkten von Bedeutung sei."
Draeger also mentioned that BMW is toying with a 6-series shooting brake, but that it hadn't yet been given the green light.
Is that why their current range looks like it was designed in the dark? And incidentally, why they only release pictures of their cars in the dark as well?
I have to say it looks sleek and nice-ish, but in a rather dull and ordinary kind of way.
It could be an Audi, frankly, and i don't mean that in a good way.
I think the Bangle era will be viewed positively ("at least they were interesting and distinctive") if this is what will follow.
Nice, but dull.
I think the Bangle cars were awful. BMWs have always been very normal looking, in a good way. They're mainstream cars and the sooner the "funky" styling goes the better. The same applies to the Honda Civic..
Well out of all the German attempts at making a big four door coupe thing this is the only one that looks even remotely good, it's like a German Quattroporte.
Well out of all the German attempts at making a big four door coupe thing this is the only one that looks even remotely good, it's like a German Quattroporte.
Great Jaguar are setting the trend with their coupelike 4 door XF/XJ.
I must say in photos the new 5 series looked dull as dishwater, having seen it now in the flesh, it does have presence & looks good. I'd still have an XF mind you...
