BMW 6-series Gran Coupe revealed at Vancouver Auto Show 2012
Posted Apr 4th 2012 10:00AM
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It's not very often that the "Village of Vancouver" directly upstages New York City. However, today one of the more important new luxury car launches of 2012 happened at the Vancouver International Auto Show, a single day before the car would be launched south of the border in the borough of Manhattan at the New York Auto Show.
BMW Canada got the scoop on its larger brother this year, with the debut of the much anticipated 6 Series Gran Coupe, a late entry into the relatively new four-door coupe segment, but one that appears well worth waiting for.
The new sedan, er Gran Coupe will arrive in dealerships during the third quarter of 2012 as a 2013 model and fetch an approximate CAD$10,000 premium over the current two-door 6 Series Coupe (which starts at a hair over CAD$101,000), said a BMW Canada executive at a gathering after the show. Although expected in dealerships as early as June, only U.S. pricing has already been solidified at US$76,895 including destination charges, prices on the V8 models have now been set as well. The 650i will sell for US$87,395, while the 650i xDrive model will command US$90,395.
The price premium will be due to a more powerful base engine, the first iteration to be in 650i xDrive Gran Coupe trim instead of the 640i that was on display (BMW says the 640i will come later), and will boast more standard features, such as the BMW Individual interior shown at the launch.
But we have more details after the jump on this new BMW.
Related Gallery2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
Some additional standard goodies will include adaptive Xenon headlights, an iDrive infotainment interface with a 10.2-inch display for navigation, audio and other functions. Also, lightweight 20-way seats with an integrated seatbelt system will be part of the standard package, plus 9-speaker CD-audio with auxiliary input (a 12-speaker audio upgrade with Sirius satellite radio is optional, as is a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo). Additionally, park distance control, a rearview camera, plus 18x8-inch light-alloy wheels on 245/45 R18 all-season runflat tires will come standard.
Dakota leather will be standard too, and can be ordered in a choice of three colours, while optional Nappa leather can be had in four different "shades", says BMW. Nappa leather will be optional on the instrument panel, door trim and centre console too. You'll be able to get double French seams in a contrasting colour to match the seats, instead of single seams in black. Four unique versions of interior trim will be available as well, with optional ceramic trim for the gear selector, iDrive controller and other controls.
BMW Canada will also make an M Sport package available from day one, including an M aerodynamics package with a unique front fascia, side skirts and rear fascia, dark chrome exhaust tips, black-painted brake calipers, LED fog lamps, a sport exhaust system, and 20-inch M double-spoke alloys. Special M paint can be ordered too, in Carbon Black metallic or Imola Red non-metallic. Inside, the M Sport package will get Alcantara/leather sport seats with blue contrast stitching, a special M leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, as well as aluminum hexagon trim. Doorsill finishers featuring the M logo plus an M driver's footrest round out the M Sport package.
BMW Canada will also make an M Sport package available from day one.
If you like the BMW Individual matte finish Frozen Bronze metallic paint on the auto show car, it will be available exclusively for the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, while other matte colours will join the usual array of flat gloss and metallic paints.
With comfortable seating for four thanks to 11 cm more overall length and a longer wheelbase than the two-door 6 Series Coupe, plus a sizeable 460-litre trunk, the 650i Gran Coupe will be more than just a pretty face, and performance will likewise be impressive.
The 650i Gran Coupe gets BMW's 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with Valvetronic variable valve timing, making 445-horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. With its capable 8-speed automatic transmission putting down the thrust, the sprint from zero to 100 km/h needs only 4.5 seconds. BMW is estimating provisional average fuel consumption of 8.6 L/100km, which despite a thirst for premium fuel will make it more efficient than most of its rivals.
Some green features that aid in efficiency include Brake Energy Regeneration, engine Auto Start-Stop, on-demand function of ancillary components, lightweight construction, and a lot of time in the wind tunnel to optimize aerodynamics.
BMW is enjoying impressive growth in the Canadian market, with 10 record-breaking months out of 12 during 2011, and overall sales up 17 per cent in the first quarter of 2012, and that within a premium sector that's only up 9 per cent overall. The 6 Series Gran Coupe will only add to BMW's upward trajectory, which bodes well for the brand's success in 2013.
Image Credit: Copyright 2012 Trevor Hofmann / AOL
