It’s not the first time we’ve seen a carmaker claim that two doors are not a prerequisite for coupé-dom, but it’s the first time we’ve seen BMW pull it off so effectively.
After trying (rather unsuccessfully) to convince us that its 5 Series Gran Turismo featured a coupé-like roofline when the station wagon-like car came out three years ago, it seems BMW has returned to the “four-door coupé” drawing board and has now delivered this – the new 6 Series Gran Coupé. And it’s a stunner.
German rival Mercedes lays claim to invention of this slippery sedan-cum-coupé segment with its CLS Class, and later Audi revisited it with the A5 and A7 Sportbacks, but until now there’s been no genuine competition for these cars coming from this side of the Bavarian curtain.
We’re attending the Gran Coupe’s international launch in Sicily as you read this, and next week we’ll bring you more of this looker’s finer details along with a driving impression, but for now we can tell you that it’s basically a 6 Series Coupé crossed with a 5 Series saloon.
There are three engine derivatives starting with a 235kW/450Nm 640i, moving up to a 230kW/630Nm 640d and topping out with a 330kW/650Nm 650i flagship. Don’t miss next week’s Star/Mercury/Cape Times Motoring, out on Thursday.
The Gran Coupé is due to be launched in South Africa in June, and BMW South Africa has already announced the prices.
Expect to fork out R882 045 for the 640i and R914 613 for the 640d, which means they’re a bit more expensive than the 225kW Mercedes CLS 350 (R818 900). You’re also looking at a R24 000 premium over the two-door 6 Series.