New BMW unwrapped ahead of Frankfurt debut
BMW have shown off their new 6 Series Gran Turismo, three months out from its scheduled debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September. Three models have been detailed; the four-cylinder petrol 630i, six-cylinder inline diesel 630d, and the six-cylinder inline petrol 640i.
It's the German marque's latest coupe-that's-not-a-coupe creation, and pretty much replaces the maligned 5 Series Gran Turismo. And straight away, it's an improvement in the design department.
The whole point of taking a coupe silhouette and projecting it onto a sedan is to give off a more attractive, sleek appearance. But the 5 Series Gran Turismo struggled with this, looking somehow even bulkier than its sedan counterpart.
This new 6 Series GT — highlighted in its 630d and 640i models in these images, the former in maroon and the latter in white respectively — is a certain step up in this regard. A meatier array of creases help break down the amount of metal between the top of the rear wheel and the belt line, while adoption of BMW's new corporate face gives it a more mature appearance.
“The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo offers a unique combination of luxurious interior comfort and flexible practicality, packaged within a truly elegant design,” says Dr Ian Robertson, a member of BMW AG's Board of Management.
“Coupled with the sporty, dynamic driving characteristics our customers enjoy, this car is an outstanding vehicle which further enhances the upper end of our BMW model line-up.”
Underneath it's built on the same CLAR modular platform as the 5 and 7 Series, which, together with an increased use of aluminium, helps the motion to save weight and improve handling and economy. This is also met with an increase in power across the board from a range of new engines.
The 190kW, 400Nm 630i, for example, will scamper from 0–100 in 6.3 seconds according to official figures — seven tenths quicker than its equivalent 5 Series GT. Its 250kW, 450Nm 640i brother will perform the same feat in 5.4 seconds (with xDrive, it'll shave another tenth off that time). Top speed on both cars is 250km/h.
Straight-line performance edge is complemented by self-leveling air suspension at the rear as standard, with air suspension on all four corners plus Dynamic Damper Control an optional extra. For those wanting more assurance in the twisty stuff, BMW will also offer an 'Executive Drive' option, which will add active-roll stabilisation. Fuel economy? It ranges (not a pun, I swear) from 5.9–5.5L/100km in the 630d to 7.4–7.0L/100km in the 630i.
As you'd expect, all sorts of tech has been shoehorned into the 6er GT's interior — including BMW Connected and Microsoft Exchange (a pair of programs that help streamline phone integration and navigation), real-time traffic updates, remote 3D view, and a range of driver-assist tools like collision and pedestrian warning and BMW's adaptive cruise control system.
BMW New Zealand are yet to release any details of their own as to when the 6 Series GT will get here, or which variants will be available. Expect this info to come out closer to the car's international 'market launch' in November.
