BMW has unveiled its new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, which blends the long-distance comfort of a luxury sedan with alluring coupe style.
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. Internationally, the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system will also be available for two model variants from launch.
“The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo offers a unique combination of luxurious interior comfort and flexible practicality, packaged within a truly elegant design. Coupled with the sporty, dynamic driving characteristics our customers enjoy, this car is an outstanding vehicle which further enhances the upper end of our BMW model line-up,” comments Dr Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Brand BMW.
Lighter, sportier, more comfortable and more efficient.
A combination of intelligent lightweight engineering and increased use of aluminium and high-strength steel grades for body and chassis components has shaved an average of around 150 kilograms off the weight of the new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo compared to the outgoing model. Together with the considerable improvement in the car’s aerodynamic properties, the increase in power and the superior efficiency of the new engines, this endows the car with sportier performance at the same time as optimising fuel economy.
Depending on the engine variant, the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is completed up to 0.7 seconds quicker (BMW 630i Gran Turismo) than in the equivalent predecessor model, while fuel consumption and emissions figures in the NEDC test cycle are as much as 15 per cent lower (BMW 640i Gran Turismo, BMW 630d Gran Turismo).
Handling dynamics and driving comfort in the new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo both reap the benefits of the extensive improvements made to chassis technology. Selflevelling air suspension comes as standard at the rear axle, while ride comfort especially can be further enhanced by opting for the Adaptive suspension (featuring front and rear air suspension plus Dynamic Damper Control).
The Executive Drive option, which is offered in combination with the Integral Active Steering system and also includes active roll stabilisation, gives the vehicle a sportier edge. The two-axle air suspension allows the vehicle’s ride height to be adjusted manually, meaning that ground clearance can be increased by 20 millimetres at the touch of a button to negotiate dirt tracks or steep ramps, for example.
The vehicle can also be lowered by 10 millimetres – either manually by again pushing a button, or automatically when SPORT mode is engaged via the Driving Experience Control switch or the car’s speed exceeds 120 km/h. All optional suspension systems are now available in conjunction with BMW xDrive.
Ideal blend of driving pleasure, long-distance comfort and functionality.
The interior has been designed to provide a driver-focused cockpit and an extremely spacious passenger compartment. The raised seating position optimises the driver’s all-round view and, together with the faultlessly ergonomic arrangement of the controls, helps to create an imperious sense of driving pleasure. The cabin’s lines, materials and precision workmanship imbue it with a highly sophisticated, premium feel.
The rear compartment of the new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo comprises three full-size seats offering maximised legroom. Exhaustive optimisation of the cabin’s packaging sees the new model’s far flatter roofline still translating into extra headroom, while the restyled rear seat unit and improved soundproofing make it even more comfortable to travel in. The electrically-adjustable comfort seats optionally available for the rear allow the backrest angle to be altered at the push of a button.
The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo features a one-piece tailgate that opens and closes electrically as standard. The boot capacity of 610 litres is 110 litres larger than the predecessor model’s. The boot sill has been lowered by more than five centimetres and is now flush with the boot floor. The 40 : 20 : 40 split backrest can be released remotely and folded flat electrically via a button in the boot.
All of which means that maximum load space has increased to 1,800 litres – up 100 litres on the outgoing model. The two-piece luggage compartment cover has a rigid structure and can be stowed away in a compartment underneath the boot floor.
New generation of engines, eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard, BMW xDrive as an option.
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-litre 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. It propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and posts combined fuel consumption of 6.6–6.2 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 152–142 grams per kilometre.
Generating an output of 250 kW and maximum torque of 450 Nm, the 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line petrol engine enables the new BMW 640i Gran Turismo to accelerate to 100 km/h 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 litres per 100 kilometres and 8.2–7.7 litres per 100 kilometres respectively, which equates to CO2 figures of between 169 / 159 grams and 187 / 177 grams per kilometre.
The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line diesel engine producing 195 kW and peak torque of 620 Nm 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 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 and 139–129 grams per kilometre for the BMW 630d Gran Turismo and 5.9–5.5 litres per 100 kilometres and 154–144 grams per kilometre for the BMW 630d xDrive Gran Turismo.
Uniquely versatile control system.
The new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is equipped with a display and control system offering unrivalled versatility for operating vehicle, navigation, communication and infotainment functions. At the heart of it all is the iDrive system, complete with the Touch Controller on the centre console and the Control Display, now in the form of a freestanding touchscreen. The high resolution display has a screen diagonal of 10.25″, while its tile-style menu layout with animated graphics in live mode facilitates intuitive operation.
The new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo also offers the convenience of both enhanced voice control and BMW gesture control. And customers can specify the new-generation BMW Head-Up Display, too, whose projection area is 70 per cent larger than before.
Assistance systems that smooth the way to automated driving.
The driver assistance systems fitted in the new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo make use of the standard stereo camera as well as optional radar and ultrasonic sensors to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings. The Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Collision Mitigation comes as standard, while the list of options includes the new, improved version of Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function operational at speeds between 0 and 210 km/h.
The Steering and lane control assistant (active in the same speed range) represents another step along the road to automated driving. It uses road markings and vehicles driving ahead for orientation and helps the driver to keep the vehicle in the detected lane.
The Lane Departure and Lane Change Warning systems, Side Collision Warning and the evasion aid likewise
enhance convenience and safety by coming to the driver’s assistance with corrective steering inputs. The Crossing traffic warning, Priority warning, Crossroads warning and Wrong-way warning systems similarly do their bit to avoid potentially hazardous situations. And the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo can also be ordered with the Remote Control Parking feature.
BMW Connected: personal mobility assistant, new services.
BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo owners can also enjoy the benefits of BMW Connected, intelligent connectivity enabling this digital personal mobility assistant to help drivers reach their destination easily and with minimal stress – and not only when they are in their car.
To this end, calendar entries from a smartphone can be used for route planning, for instance, the ideal departure time can be calculated on the basis of real-time traffic data and the navigation destination can be transferred to the owner’s car.
Once inside, drivers are able to manage calendar, e-mail and contact data via the Microsoft Exchange function. Their smartphone is integrated wirelessly via Bluetooth and inductive charging is also possible.
Real Time Traffic Information indicates the presence of tailbacks and slow moving traffic, On-Street Parking Information helps to find available parking spots at the side of the road, and the Remote 3D View function allows drivers to view live images of their car and its immediate vicinity on their smartphone.
In other motoring related news, Lexus recently provided its South African fans with a peek into its motoring future direction, with the local launch of its 2018 LC flagship performance coupe.
