BMW can lay claim to creating several niche vehicles. The super saloon sub-category, for instance, owes its existence to the M5, the first of which emerged in the mid Eighties. That super specialist body type, the Sports Activity Coupé, took root from the X6. The latest model, however, will not be credited with the creation of a new niche. In fact, the 6 Series Gran Coupé follows on from the trend set by Mercedes-Benz’s CLS range. In fact, some may say that BMW is quite late in coming to the party as the CLS is already in its second generation while Audi, Porsche and even Aston Martin have beat the Munich-based marque to the punch.
Range extension
As its name denotes the Gran Coupé is a variant of the existing 6 Series range. The newcomer shares its floorpan with the Coupé and Convertible versions, but its wheelbase is 113 mm longer to allow for the addition of rear doors and increase the level of legroom afforded for rear passengers. Despite this extension to the overall length the 6 Gran Coupé looks well proportioned and does not simply appear like a stretched 6.
Purposefully sleek
The key to creating a car that you wish to call a four-door coupé has to be an arching, bow-like profile while keeping the overall roofline low and sleek. BMW designers seem to have nailed the concept with the Gran Coupé. The lines are sleek but remain unmistakably 6 Series in overall appearance. A BMW spokesperson claims that the only car of this type with a lower roofline than the new 6 is the Aston Martin Rapide. The familial look is helped along by a facade and rump that are very similar to its two-door siblings.
Specialisation
On the launch event that I attended last week I had the chance to experience a 640d in BMW’s Individual specification. This car was painted in a model-specific matt bronze paint finish that was complemented by optional 19-inch alloys. The specialisation continued inside with an, er… interesting choice of colour and materials (as shown above). Brown and white were the colours of choice and while the light brown lent and air of warmth the white seats and (plastic) trim panels in white may not be to everyone’s taste. Thankfully more sedate options are available for those with less than flamboyant preferences.
Space
One of the biggest criticisms of the two-door 6 Series variants is the lack of space for rear occupants. This has been thoroughly addressed with this car. Occupants of up to six-feet in height can easily get comfortable on the rear bench. There may be enough legroom but oddly there isn’t oodles of footroom… Those taller than six-feet may find their heads coming into contact with the roof lining. As with any proper GT car there needs to be enough space in the luggage compartment to swallow the bags of four and here the Gran Coupé doesn’t disappoint. The rear seats can even fold down creating the most stylish MPV around.
Powertrains
Initially South African buyers can choose between one of two six-cylinder models, a 640i or 640d. As the names denote one is petrol-fed and the other is an oil-burner, and both feature turbocharging to increase torque outputs. At the international launch I first sampled the diesel model. Short of looking down at the rev-counter with its 5 400 r/min red line I was hard-pressed to tell that this car was powered by a diesel engine. A high-tech injection system helps to reduce that characteristic clatter as does the superb noise insulation. There is power aplenty (230 kW to be precise) matched with a mountainous 630 N.m of torque developed from 1 500 to 2 500 r/min. Performance is on par with the petrol-fuelled derivative. BMW claim a zero-to-100 km/h sprint time of 5,4 seconds, a top speed of 250 km/h and a 1 km sprint time of under 25 seconds. Those figures are impressive for a car with a claimed combined cycle figure of 5,5 litres/100 km (on standard 17-inch alloys).
Ride comfort
One area in which the 6 GC seems to excel in particular is ride comfort. The autostradas chosen for the launch route were in great condition, some of which were much better than the major motorways in South Africa, but even when we ventured off the main byways onto smaller arterial roads the Gran Coupé maintained its composure and ride comfort. This is noteworthy for a car that was shod with 19-inch rims wrapped in low profile run-flat tyres. Not only is the ride of a high quality, soaking up road imperfections and undulations, but the when the road ahead starts to curve the 6 GC gets into its stride as a real GT.
Summary
BMW may have been late to the four-door coupé party but it seems to have put its best foot forward with the 6 Series Gran Coupé. Not only is there enough space for four adults with luggage space to er… boot, the newcomer delivers compelling on-road performance, a supple ride and a cosseting interior. This is a GT car that’s up there with the best of them.
Specifications:
Model: BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé 640d
Engine: 3,0-litre, turbodiesel
Power: 230 kW at 4 400 r/min
Torque: 630 N.m from1 500 to 2 500 r/min
0 to 100 km/h: 5,4 sec
Top speed: 250 km/h
Fuel consumption: 5,5 L/100 km
CO2: 149 g/km
Price: R912 400
