Though our claims weren’t believed by many, it’s now official. The BMW 6 Series will gain a Gran Turismo body style, to currently be sold alongside the Gran Coupe. Eventually, only the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo will continue the famous nameplate, as whatever is left of the F12/F13 6 Series soon dies off. This will seem like bad news to many BMW fans, as the current-gen 6 Series is one of the brand’s most beautiful and loved cars. So replacing it with a body style that is loathed by most of the Bavarian faithful is disappointing. However, if given a chance, it’s possible that the new 6 Series GT could have some charms of its own.
This new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is based off of the same scalable architecture that underpins the BMW 5 Series, 7 Series and upcoming 8 Series. This means that it uses lightweight materials as much as possible and will feature all new technology that the current car simply cannot have. However, while it shares some feature of those new cars, its styling and design are entirely its own.
THE DESIGN
From the front, it’s clear that this new 6 Series Gran Turismo share familial attributes with the 5 Series. Both the grilles and headlights are almost identical to the 5er, apart from being a bit bigger. But the design is incredibly familiar, though not bad looking. It’s far prettier from the front than the previous two BMW GT cars, the 3 Series and 5 Series GTs, respectively. Also, it gets BMW’s Adaptive LED headlights as standard equipment.
Where this car differs mostly from the 5 Series GT it ultimately replaces is in its silhouette. From the side, the new 6 Series GT is far sportier and more aggressive, with its coupe-like styling and sweeping roofline. It’s better looking than the 5 Series GT, but that isn’t saying much. While it isn’t exactly pretty, this new 6er GT, it’s a decently handsome car that is sure to find homes in many American driveways.
Out back, the taillights look similar to the new 5 Series’ just a big bloated. It has a pretty typical rump for a BMW Gran Turismo model, especially with the now-expected active rear spoiler. I personally find it funny that BMW almost refuses to use active aero on its performance vehicles but does so on the GTs.
There are some nice touches to the design, though. The way BMW implemented the Hofmeister Kink to the C-Pillar looks quite good on this car and lends a sporty touch. The roofline also makes it seems like a genuinely sporty car, rather than the German Pontiac Aztec-like 5 Series GT. But on the whole, this is not a car designed to be uber-stylish, but rather practical, comfortable and good to drive.
“The all-new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is geared towards discerning customers who place great importance on individuality. It is an eye-catching statement, packaged into a flowing, sculptural design language which gives the car a modern and sporty feel. The raised seating position ensures an imperious brand of driving pleasure, and the luxurious levels of space provide everything you need for a relaxing journey,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design.
Where the design of the 6 Series Gran Turismo starts to really make sense is inside. While the outside is a bit odd looking, the inside is every bit as brilliant as the new 5 Series. While it isn’t the German Rave Club that the Mercedes E-Class is, it’s certainly luxurious enough to satisfy almost any customer. The materials are rich, the design and ergonomics are spot on and the technology is superb.
What the 6er GT gains over the 5 Series, though, is more headroom, a higher seating position and more usably cargo space. It’s most certainly a car that’s been designed to accommodate families and luggage, rather than being a sporty cockpit. For its customers, this is exactly what they want. So while it isn’t sexy, it’s functional and anyone who has small children will appreciate that greatly.
For 6 Series GT duty, the interior comes as-standard with Dakota Leather, rather than being an optional extra on most BMWs. Quilted Nappa Leather is available in Ivory White, Black and Mocha, as well.
As for rear passengers, the 6 Series Gran Turismo is said to have three full-sized seats with ample headroom and legroom. Multi-contour seats, active seat ventilation and a massage function can be ordered for the driver and front passenger. The optional electrically adjustable comfort seats for the rear passengers feature powered adjustment of the backrest angle at the touch of a button.
The 40:20:40 split rear seat backrest can be folded down not only from the passenger compartment, but also by means of electric remote release using a button in the trunk. This expands the available storage space to 65 cubic ft.
The optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System features a fully active 10-channel amplifier with an output of 1,400 watts, plus dynamic sound equalizing, and 16 partially illuminated speakers.
Two non-metallic and 10 metallic color shades are available for the all-new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo. Customers can choose from a total of 3 different light-alloy wheels (19-inch and 20-inch). The Original BMW Accessories range also includes
21-inch light-alloy rims.
PACKAGES
The optional Luxury Package features chrome kidney grille bars and front and rear bumper trim finishers on the exterior, and a SensaTec upholstered dashboard and power rear seat back adjustment on the interior. Accents in high-gloss black and 19-inch V-Spoke light-alloy wheels are also part of the package.
The optional M Sport package includes an M Aerodynamic kit with front apron with larger air intakes, side skirt trim,
and diffusor-style rear apron, featuring black fins for the Air Breathers, a special design for the side skirts and rear apron. Other exterior design elements include Shadowline exterior trim and 19-inch M Double-Spoke Wheels with All-season Run Flat Tires or Mixed Performance Run Flat Tires. 20-inch M Double-Spoke Wheels with Mixed Performance Run Flat Tires are available as an upgrade option.
The interior includes a new M Sport leather steering wheel, a SensaTec upholstered dashboard, aluminum pedals, and exclusive floor mats when selecting the option of Black Dakota Leather with contrast blue stitching and piping.
POWERTRAINS
The line-up of engines available for the new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo feature cutting-edge TwinPower Turbo technology and team up with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol unit in the new BMW 630i Gran Turismo delivers a maximum output of 190 kW/258 hp and peak torque of 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). It propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 seconds and posts combined fuel consumption of 6.6–6.2 liters per 100 kilometers (42.8–45.6 mpg imp)* and CO2 emissions of 152–142 grams per kilometer.
Generating an output of 250 kW/340 hp and maximum torque of 450 Nm (332 lb-ft), the 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line petrol engine enables the new BMW 640i Gran Turismo to accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) from rest in 5.4 seconds, while the new BMW 640i xDrive Gran Turismo is a tick faster at 5.3 seconds. The combined fuel consumption of the two models comes in at 7.4–7.0 liters per 100 kilometers (38.2–40.4 mpg imp) and 8.2–7.7 liters per 100 kilometers (34.5–36.7 mpg imp)* respectively, which equates to CO2 figures of between 169 / 159 grams and 187 / 177 grams per kilometer.
The 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line diesel engine producing 195 kW/265 hp and peak torque of 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) can likewise be combined with all-wheel drive as an option. The new BMW 630d Gran Turismo and the new BMW 630d xDrive Gran Turismo race from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds and 6.0 seconds respectively. The combined fuel consumption and emissions figures are 5.3–4.9 litres per 100 kilometres (53.3–57.7 mpg imp)* and 139–129 grams per kilometer for the BMW 630d Gran Turismo and 5.9–5.5 liters per 100 kilometers (47.9–51.4 mpg imp)* and 154–144 grams per kilometer for the BMW 630d xDrive Gran Turismo.
The package of technology is made up of TwinScroll turbocharging, High Precision Direct Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve lift control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. New engine encapsulation reduces noise and accelerates warm-up. The engine is matted to an 8-speed Steptronic transmission.
INFOTAINMENT
At the heart of the display and control concept in the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is the iDrive 6.0 system. In addition to the Touch Controller on the center console and the direct menu control and favorites buttons, the system also comprises a new version of the Control Display. The high-resolution unit now takes the form of a freestanding 10.25-inch touchscreen, while intuitive touch control is facilitated by the tile-style menu layout with live content.
Apple CarPlay can be used wirelessly in the all-new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo. The driver can seamlessly switch between BMW and Apple CarPlay via the iDrive controller or touch screen interface.
BMW Personal CoPilot
The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is the first BMW with a standard Active Driving Assistant. This system brings a multitude of driving assistant functions made possible through the use of cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors that monitor the vehicle’s surroundings. The Active Driving Assistant includes Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Daytime Pedestrian Protection, Frontal Collision Warning w/City Collision Mitigation, Speed Limit Info, and Cross-traffic alert rear. The optional Driving Assistant Plus Package also adds Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Active Lane Keeping Assistant with Side Collision Avoidance, Traffic Jam Assistant, Evasion Aid and Cross-traffic alert front.
The latest generation ACC with Stop & Go is operational in a speed range from 0 – 130 mph and is capable of braking the vehicle to a standstill. If the vehicle has been placed into standby mode by pushing the resume button on the steering wheel, the all-new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo can automatically start moving again up to 30 seconds after coming to a full-stop, relieving stress on the driver considerably, particularly when driving in stop-start traffic. The system’s sensors can now register two vehicles ahead providing a smoother operation.
The Active Lane Keeping Assistant and Traffic Jam Assistant – also active at speeds between 0 and 130 mph – represent another step towards semi-automated driving. It uses road markings and the vehicles driving ahead as a means of orientation and works with the driver to help keep the vehicle in the detected lane with steering assistance. The system designed as a hands-on system, provides up to 50 seconds of hands-off time steering support. A sensitive hands-on-wheel detection recognizes contact even when only a few fingers briefly touch the wheel.
The new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo will make its public debut at Frankfurt’s International Motor Show (IAA) in September 2017. The market launch will then get underway in November 2017, when there will initially be a choice of three engines from the BMW Group’s latest generation of power units.
The all-new BMW 640i xDrive Gran Turismo will be available at showrooms in the fall starting at $69,700 plus $995 Destination and Handling.
