BMW reveals its first entry into 4-door segment 6 Series Gran Coupe

Mercedes started it with the CLS, Audi copied it with the A7 and BMW sat idly as the four-door coupe gained popularity and racked up sales. But now the German firm has announced its first entry into the four-door coupe segment – the 6 Series Gran Coupe.

It was previewed by the Gran Coupe concept that debuted at the Beijing Motor Show in April 2010, and if you put the two back-to-back you’d be hard pressed to spot the differences. In fact, despite the extra 113mm in the wheelbase, at first glance it even looks the same as the two-door.

All that extra space means rear passengers will have more leg-room than in the standard car – though admittedly it isn’t too much of a squeeze as it is. Where the two-door car was strictly a 2+2, BMW is selling the Gran Coupe as a 4+1, with the middle rear passenger having to straddle the centre console. Boot space remains at 460 litres but the rear seats can be folded down to increase space to 1,265 litres.

Power comes from a range of engines similar to the line-up in the coupe and convertible 6 Series models but BMW has replaced the 401bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 in the 650i model with a 444bhp version of the same engine fitted with variable valve control. That accounts for the boost in power and also cuts emissions from 246g/km to 206g/km, while improving economy by 5.6mpg for a figure of 32.1mpg.

With the increase in power comes an increase in performance too. The 650i Gran Coupe accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds – that’s 0.3 seconds quicker than the lighter two-door 650i.

The two other engine options – 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol and diesel units – make up the 640i and 640d models and produce the same 316bhp and 309bhp figures found elsewhere in the 6 Series range.

The best all-rounder is likely to be the 640d Gran Coupe that not only accelerates from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds but also has a combined fuel economy figure of 50.4mpg and costs just £130 a year to tax thanks to its 148g/km emissions figure.

Aside from the extra length, the chassis itself remains much the same. That means a lightweight aluminium construction and double wishbone suspension at the front. A range of options like adaptive dampers and rear-wheel steering are also available to help improve handling and comfort.

BMW is offering the 6 Series Gran Coupe in SE and M Sport trim levels, with SE models getting 18-inch alloys, leather upholstery, sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors and heated front seats. The 650i models get 19-inch alloy wheels, a chrome grille and dark grey gloss interior trim to distinguish them.

Meanwhile M Sport models get an aerodynamic bodykit, 19-inch M sport alloys, black exhaust pipes, sports seats and aluminium trim in the cabin.

First to arrive in June 2012 will be the 640i and 640d, with prices starting at £61,380 for a 640i SE – that’s a premium of £1,815 over the two-door model. When the 650i model arrives a month later it will cost £75,130 in M Sport trim – an extra £3,650 compared to the standard 6 Series. (Autoexpress, UK)