BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe launched

BMW has launched the new 6-series Gran Coupe priced at Rs 86.40 lakh, ex-showroom India. It joins the existing two-door coupe and convertible models in an expanded range of 6-series models aiming to attract buyers who place greater emphasis on outright style than practicality.

Under the hood sits BMW's 3.0-litre, twin-turbo, six-cylinder diesel, powering the rear wheels. Making 309bhp and 64.3kgm of torque, the motor comes mated to the standard eight-speed, torque-converter automatic gearbox. Flat out, the Gran Coupe will hit 100kph in a claimed 5.4sec.

The Gran Coupe is identical to the 6-series coupe and convertible from its forward-leaning kidney grille through to the upper trailing edge of its windscreen. However, it adopts a longer and flatter roof structure, substantial B-pillars and two conventionally front-hinged rear doors. To help provide the Gran Coupe with an added touch of coupe-like style, all four doors are frameless.

Despite its stylistic links to the two-door 6-series, the Gran Coupe rides on an altered platform with a 113mm longer wheelbase (2968mm). The interiors are beautifully built and material quality is top-notch. The dash is a carryover from the 6-series coupe.

BMW has also confirmed that it will launch its new 1-series hatchback in India by the end of 2013. The new compact BMW will be locally produced and this will allow the German carmaker to price it attractively. In the next three months, BMW India also plans to launch the facelifted models of the X1 compact SUV and the X6, along with local assembly of the 7-series by mid-2013. By the end of 2013, BMW India would be assembling the 1-series hatchback, 3-, 5-, 7-Series saloons and the X1 and X3 SUVs at its Chennai plant.

Also read BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe review, test drive