BMW 640i GranCoupe 2012 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $184,800
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): M Sport Package $8700; Exclusive Nappa Leather $3200; Leather Instrument Panel $3000; HiFi System Professional $1600; Comfort Seats $1600; Lane Change Warning System $1400; Surround View $1300; Ceramic Surround Control $1100; Digital Radio Tuner $950; Contrast Stitching $500; Bluetooth Streaming $220
Crash rating: TBA (we expect five-star EuroNCAP)
Fuel: 95 RON PULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 7.9
CO2 emissions (g/km): 183
Also consider: Audi A7 Sportback (from $135,750 -  $143,800); Maserati Quattroporte (from $250,000 - $298,800); Mercedes-Benz CLS (from $159,200 - $263,500); Porsche Panamera (from $194,900 - $440,200)

No, it’s not the BMW model built especially for your nanna. In fact, it’s not even a coupe, per se. It's the 6 Series GranCoupe, an achingly beautiful, technologically masterful swoopy four-door that is, for the most part, entirely free of criticism from yours truly.

Sliding between the 5 and 7 Series (in terms of appointments, nomenclature and price), the GranCoupe is the third member of the 6 Series family (alongside the 'true' coupe and cabrio). Available in six and eight-cylinder versions, we’re testing the former, which draws motivation for the tried and true TwinPower turbocharged in-line 3.0-litre.

Outputting 235kW at 5800-6000rpm and 450Nm at 1300-4500rpm, the 640i-badged GranCoupe offers a pleasing compromise between brisk acceleration and commendable fuel economy. The 0-100km/h sprint is dealt with in 5.4 seconds after only a moment’s lag from idle. The eight-speed automatic transmission (driving the rear wheels, of course) swaps cogs purposefully and with a level of precision usually associated with dual-clutch transmissions.

Best of all, it’s seamless when relaxed and fluid when prompted. Indeed, the GranCoupe cruises quietly and effortlessly when commuting and summons a resonate growl only when called to outpace traffic or overtake. This performance is even more pronounced when opting for Sport mode. Fuel consumption for the week, travelled mostly in urban traffic, was recorded at 10.2L/100km, a fair effort considering its 1750kg kerb weight.

It’s still lighter than it could be. BMW was liberal in its use of aluminium when crafting the GranCoupe. Selected suspension components, the door skins and bonnet are all alloy. Further, the front quarter panels and the boot lid are composite.

ECO PRO mode, part of the four-mode selectable Driving Experience Control system, further improves fuel economy. When activated it re-maps the electro-hydraulic power steering, throttle travel, idle stop-start system and air-conditioning compressor for leaner running. Like most BMW’s EfficientDynamics-equipped vehicles, the GranCoupe also features Brake Energy Regeneration.

The GranCoupe has some obvious packaging compromises. The roofline is lower and headroom, especially in the rear, is tight. BMW calls it a 4+1 seater.

The front seat-mounted belts are hard to grab once seated and offer no height adjustment. The boot aperture is smaller than it otherwise would be on a less swoopy sedan, despite offering a decent 460 litres of space.

If we had one final criticism, it would be that the combination of firm suspension (derived from the 5 Series) and low-profile tyres, can feel intrusive over larger bumps and even some (not-so-) level crossings.

Large, black-painted single-piston callipers do a fine job of hauling the GranCoupe to a halt. They do, however, look a touch out of place behind such beautifully-shaped 19-inch alloy wheels.

What doesn’t look out of place is just about everything else. The bodywork is perfectly proportioned, sleek and very stylish. The wheels fill the arches perfectly, and no matter which angle you look at it, the GranCoupe is balance and impeccably presented.

Inside, the usual BMW dashboard layout is ameliorated by (optional) leather touches and contrasting stitch work. This helps softens the cabin by changing the textures and drawing the seat upholstery into the mix.

Functionality outweighs form here, as impressive as it is. The audio system (again optional) is equal parts crisp and rich, while the iDrive system is effortlessly straightforward. The GranCoupe’s head-up display keeps your eyes where they need to be and the 'hard' dials remain easy to see ever when it’s glary.

The driving position is suitably sporty but still comfortable enough to enjoy long trips. The level of adjustment makes outward visibility from the cabin’s curvaceous contours better than you would have thought, and in those tricky tight parking the (yep, optional) Surround View camera and acoustic parking sensors work a treat.

We loved the steering, the pedal modulation, the blend of power and economy and, above all else, the streamlined looks. It’s impressive that a car this big can still feel so enjoyable to drive. Sure, the ride is a touch firm and there are some small concessions made where outright practicality is concerned, but if that’s an issue, buy a 5 Series.

The final issue is one of price. At $184,800 before options the GranCoupe is $70,000 more than a similarly spec’ed 5 Series. It’s heading into Panamera territory, and outprices its nearest rival, the Audi A7 by close to 40-grand. If the optional trim and equipment was standard, you’d probably say okay. But even this came to an additional $23,570 (see top of page).

The GranCoupe is all about style, substance and sex appeal. Even at the very substantial price premium over its 5 Series stablemates, we’re sure it will attract a passionate, of somewhat elitist following.