BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé

It has taken some time – BMW said in 2007 it would happen - but BMW’s exotic four-door Gran Coupé is on the way to production reality.

As attested to by these recently-shot spy photos from Carparazzi, the 6 Series based four-door is stretched and massaged to replicate the sensual style of the Gran Coupé shown at the Auto China 2010 motor show in Beijing.

Essentially a 6 Series Coupé with a longer centre section, complete with a couple of extra frameless doors, the production car could claim to be the first “genuine” four-door Coupé.

The Gran Coupé  is judged to be close in size to the 2010 concept car – that is, considerably longer, at around 5.0 metres, than the 6 Series Coupé  – and equally ground-hugging at around 100mm lower than a current 7 Series.

The inspiration for the Gran Coupé came after the Mercedes-Benz CLS four-door “Coupé” — first seen here in 2005 — the launching pad for various interpretations of the theme by other car-makers.

In fact the BMW Gran Coupé was preceded by the gorgeous 7 Series based Concept CS sedan unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2007.

With a mouth-watering array of engine possibilities within the BMW stable, motivation for the Gran Coupé is not likely to be a problem.

Pricing can be estimated, based on the immediate competition that springs to mind; including Porsche’s Panamera, ranging from around $193,000 to $372,000 and, naturally, the Mercedes-Benz CLS that starts at around $159,000 and tops out at more than $260,000.
 
Word is that the BMW Gran Coupé will be launched in Europe during 2012.

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