BMW’s first four-door coupé
We drive BMW’s 6 series Gran Coupé and discover that life is indeed a journey and not a destination.
What is it? BMW’s Gran Coupé is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous addition to the 6-Series selection. BMW have taken the regular (if there is such a thing!) 6 series and stretched it to accommodate two more doors.
Who is it aimed at? Over eight years ago the Mercedes-Benz CLS established the idea of the “four-door coupe” and in doing so redefined the word coupe. BMW may have come late to the luxury coupe party but this new addition to the range provides a sleek alternative and is one of the best looking cars on the market. The 6 Series Gran Coupé is brimming with power and class, and it’s likely its potential buyers are as well.
Styling? One of the most elegant cars around, with a sweeping contoured bonnet, heavily sculpted door sill and elegant lines, the Gran Coupé sets a new aesthetic standard for coupes and looks stunning from all angles.
Under the Bonnet? Our 640d, with a three litre diesel engine, is a car with plenty of power. It will take you around the town with smoothness and ease and overtake on a motorway with an engine noise to surpass any tune from the stereo.
What’s it like inside? Inside the Gran Coupé is the last word in sheer opulence all with leather, chrome and wood finishes of the highest quality. Impressively you can fit four adults comfortably and five at a squeeze. Even practicality is not compromised and the boot has a capacity of 460 litres and can be extended to 1265 litres when the seats are folded down.
On the Road? For such a large car it handles surprisingly well, it is incredibly agile and manages to feel like a car half its size when thrown into a bend with gusto. But it is on the motorway where this car truly shines, it simply devours the road ahead and at the legal speed limit it ticks over with oodles of power on reserve.
And Safety? The Gran Coupé brims with all the passive and active safety system you could possible want. The passive aids include front airbags, side airbags, head airbags for front and rear seats, three-point automatic seatbelts for all seats while the active systems include traction control, electronic stability programming, and a host of other aids to keep you on the road.
Options? Two trims are on offer with the Gran Coupé, the SE and M Sport. Standard equipment is good while buyers of the M Sport models gain additions including sports seats, 19-inch M alloys and a specific M styling kit.
How about Fuel Economy? The 640d has a combined fuel consumption of 5.6 litres per 100 km so given its size and engine it is surprisingly fuel efficient. CO2 emissions are 148g/km, this just pushes it into Band C for Motor tax so the annual bill is €330.
Okay so the verdict? There is no denying the Gran Coupé strikes the perfect balance between luxury and performance and may well be the best car that BMW currently make. This 6 series Gran Coupé somehow manages to justify its enormous price tag with a sufficient dash of practicality and those stunning looks will make all other coupe owners so jealous. We found the Gran Coupé utterly irresistible.
Rivals
Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 Sport €78,970
Audi A7 3.0 TDI Quattro 313Hp Quattro €78,930
Why you’ll buy one? Styling; interior; performance; handling
Why you won’t? The price
BMW 640d M Sport Gran Coupé
Engine: 2,993cc engine putting out 230kW(313bhp) and 630Nm of torque between 1,500 – 2,500rpm
Max speed: 250 kph
0-100km/h: 5.4seconds
Emissions (motor tax): 148g/km (€330)
Starting price: €102,170
Model price range: €102,170– €131,520 (Test Car €120.034*)
No of Doors: 5
Euro NCAP: Untested
Fuel type: Diesel
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 5.6 litres per 100 km
Boot Capacity Seats up (seats down): 460 litres (1,265 litres)
Car Seats: 2 Isofix fittings in the rear and simple to use
Length: 5007mm
Width: 1894mm
Height: 1392mm
Wheelbase: 2968mm
*Additional Options Included Steering Wheel heating €300.36, 20” M Sport Double spoke style 373M Alloy wheels €1694.28, Adaptive Drive €5236.86, Tyre pressure monitor €392.77, Soft Close door €862.54, Reversing Assist Camera €508.28, Electric Glass Sunroof €1455.55, Dark grey poplar wood interior €223.33, Adaptive LED Lights €2564.52, Surround view €816.34, Park assist €877.94, DAB digital radio €485.19, Telephone USB audio interface €115.52, Mobile Application Preparation €200.24, Sub Total €15,733.72
For more information check out BMW.ie or the BMW Ireland Facebook page
5th October, 2012
