2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe Full Details Unveiled

The 2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe has finally been unveiled, giving buyers yet another alternative to the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Audi A7. Positioned between the 5-Series and 7-Series sedans, the 6-Series Gran Coupe brings two more doors and extra interior room, while retaining the 6-Series Coupe's accomplished driving dynamics and stunning coupe-like proportions, an impression reinforced by the long hood and the low-slung roof line.

Measuring 5007 mm in length, 1894 mm in width and 1392 mm in height, the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe is of the exact same width as its two-door siblings, though the length is up by 113 mm, all of which goes to increasing the wheelbase (read cabin legroom) to 2968 mm. Headroom should get a boost too, as the 6-Series Gran Coupe is 23 mm and 27 mm taller than its coupe and convertible counterpart, respectively. Compared against the 5-Series, with which it shares a platform and identical wheelbase dimension, the 6-Series Gran Coupe is 102 mm longer, 34 mm wider and 72 mm lower.

Designed to be a four-seater, the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe can however accommodate a fifth passenger in a four-plus-one format as BMW calls it. The cabin borrows the driver-focused cockpit design from its coupe and convertible siblings untouched, which means a centre console and transmission tunnel angled towards the driver. The front and rear seats are mounted slightly higher for a better view out. The boot capacity stands at a useful 460 litres—60 litres less than that in the 5-Series sedan.

On top of BMW's Driving Dynamics Control system, which offers four driving modes (Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+) to choose from, the 6-Series Gran Coupe boasts a long list of standard equipment, from the BMW iDrive central control system to the new-generation BMW Head-Up-Display, rear-view camera, Surround View, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, Lane Departure Warning System and Active Blind Spot Detection. Adaptive LED headlamps and a high-end Bang & Olufsen Surround Sound system are among the options.

Depending on the market, the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe lineup will consist of three engines, a single eight-speed automatic gearbox and a choice between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The first to join the three-variant range in the third quarter of 2012 is the 640i, whose turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine, pumping out 320 HP and 450 Nm, allows it to sprint the 0-100 km/h dash in 5.4 seconds, before hitting an electronically-controlled ceiling of 250 km/h.

Next up is the 650i powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine with 451 HP and 650 Nm—enough oomph to propel the Bimmer from rest to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, though the top speed is still 250 km/h. The 650i xDrive heading for the US can be specified with an all-wheel drive system. Exclusive to Europe is the 640d, which draws upon a twin-turbo 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder turbodiesel producing 313 HP and 630 Nm. The 640d takes 5.4 seconds for the century sprint, reaches 250 km/h, and, even more impressively, returns a fuel economy of up to 17.8 km/litre while emitting just 148 grams/km of carbon. Enjoy the mega gallery of the 2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe below!