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REVIEWS 2013 BMW 6-series Gran Coupe First Drives/Reviews

Discussion in '6 Series' started by tristatez28lt1, May 4, 2012.

Page 1 of 19

tristatez28lt1 Well-Known Member
Here is a first drive review by Car and Driver:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-bmw-6-series-gran-coupe-first-drive-review

2013 BMW 6-series Gran Coupe

An elegant—and pricey—alternative to a 5- or 7-series.

MAY 2012

BY JENS MEINERS

BMW's four-door answer to the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Audi A7 is here, wrapped in stretched 6-series coupe sheetmetal. Like the 6er coupe, it is mechanically very similar to the 5-series—following the pattern of the A7 and CLS, which are re-bodied versions of the Audi A6 and the Benz E-class.

Adding Agility to Mass
Having the 5-series as a base means weight—and a lot of it. With identical engines and drivelines, the Gran Coupe adds about 200 pounds to its respective 5-series. That puts the base 640i somewhere near 4300 pounds, while the upper limit will be set by the all-wheel-drive 650i xDrive, at 4550.
From behind the wheel, however, this BMW manages to mask its abundant heft with some success, thanks in part thanks to the adjustable chassis. It offers multiple settings, although each generally has trade-offs. Sport and Sport+ are our clear favorites, with stiffer suspension settings and minimized body roll, although these modes can amplify the car’s general tendency to go a bit jittery over broken pavement. Sport+ also claims to loosen the reins of the stability-control system, although we couldn’t really tell a difference. Down the settings ladder, Comfort will improve the ride but sacrifices agility. Comfort+ was a mode we avoided at all costs, as it turns the car too soft and brings even more artificiality to the electrically boosted steering. (The 650i xDrive Gran Coupe has hydraulic power steering.)

Focus on the Familiar
As in other 6-series models, the Gran Coupe's cockpit is beautifully executed. The front and outboard rear seats offer a satisfying level of lateral support, even for larger people. Finding a proper driving position is a snap. Rear-seat room is merely okay, however, considering that the Gran Coupe is only three inches shy of a short-wheelbase 7-series in overall length. It won’t be an issue unless you sit behind a particularly gangly front occupant, however, so there’s no need to fear being stuffed in the back for a few hundred miles.
The Gran Coupe is offered with three engines in Europe, two of which we’ll get in the 640i and the 650i. The former is powered by a 315-hp, 330-lb-ft 3.0-liter, single-turbo gasoline inline-six, while the latter uses BMW’s twin-turbo, 4.4-liter V-8 with 445 hp, and 480 lb-ft. (We won’t see the 640d or its 309-hp, 465-lb-ft diesel six.) Both models feature a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic that shifts flawlessly and quickly, and there’s enough grunt at nearly any speed—particularly in the 650i—that it hardly matters which gear you’re in. We’re also told that a manual transmission could come later.
We estimate that the 640i will hit 60 mph in 5.3 seconds; it will top out at a governed 155 mph. That is really quick, although the N55 engine's soundtrack leaves a bit to be desired. The 650i sounds fantastic and should hit 60 about a second quicker—we peg it at 4.5—but you’ll pay dearly for those delights at the gas pump. If you don’t care about fuel prices and none of the foregoing numbers excite, an M6 Gran Coupe looks to be on the way.

Where Once There Was One . . .
Our initial exposure to the 6 Gran Coupe leaves us with a positive vibe—it looks fantastic and is very tastefully executed—but there are alternatives. BMW likes to consider the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Porsche Panamera, and the Aston Martin Rapide as competitors, although we’d say the A7 and Jaguar’s XF and XJ are more akin to this new 6-series than the Aston in particular.
Of course, there also is BMW’s own 5-series should you want essentially the same car minus the sultry sheetmetal. It comes down to taste—and price. The 535i and 550i are down on output compared to their six- and eight-cylinder Gran Coupe counterparts, but the former starts under 54 grand, while the latter begins at $62,895. The 2013 640i Gran Coupe commands $76,895; against the 640i coupe and 740i, which also use the 315-horse version of the six, that’s a premium of roughly $2400 and $5000, respectively. An additional $10,500 is required for the twin-turbo V-8 650i, while xDrive adds three grand beyond that. Looks are rarely cheap.

Specifications>

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICES: 640i, $76,895; 650i, $87,395; 650i xDrive, $90,395
ENGINES: DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 315 hp, 330 lb-ft; DOHC 32-valve 4.4-liter V-8, 445 hp, 480 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 116.9 in
Length: 197.0 in
Width: 74.6 in Height: 55.6 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 4300–4550 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 4.5–5.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.4–14.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.9–14.4 sec
Top speed: 130–155 mph
FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST):
EPA city/highway driving: 15–21/22–30 mpg
tristatez28lt1, May 4, 2012

#1
- Like x 5
Guibo Well-Known Member

Couple of impressions by Car Enthusiast, first the 640d.

Shane O'Donoghue said:

Overall rating:
It seems an age since Mercedes-Benz wowed the world with its first CLS 'four-door coupé' and finally we have BMW's answer, the 6 Series Gran Coupé. The ingredients suggest it'll be a car that looks like the 6 Series with the dynamics of the 5 Series - and nearly as much space. It turns out to be rather more special than that. Here's the likely best-seller, the 640d.

In the Metal: 5/5

While Audi, Mercedes and Porsche started from a blank sheet of paper to style their four-door coupés, BMW went down the potentially risky route of taking its existing 6 Series shape and stretching it. It's a resounding success though, maintaining the original car's distinctively sharp detailing and adding elegance to the mix. There are several unique elements to the Gran Coupé, including badging in the 'Hofmeister kink' and a full-width brake light at the trailing edge of the roof.

All the extra length (113mm of the stuff) is in the wheelbase, to accommodate the extra back doors and allow rear occupants decent legroom. The doors themselves are frameless, adding to the occasion. At first glance it looks like there's room for just two passengers in the back, but there is in fact a third seat belt for someone to sit on the raised centre section - for short journeys only we'd suggest. The rear is not as spacious as that of say a 5 Series saloon, but the seats are comfortable - and the car feels special to sit in. The seat backs fold down too, revealing a 460-litre boot - same as that in the regular Coupé.

Driving it: 4/5

Surprisingly, the Gran Coupé feels remarkably different on the road to both the 6 Series Coupé and the BMW 5 Series. The long, low stance sets it apart, and that's emphasised by the low-set driving position. There's plenty of adjustment in the seat and wheel if you prefer to sit a little higher.

All test cars on the launch were fitted with the optional Adaptive Drive system, which includes Variable Damper Control and Dynamic Drive. The latter is a sophisticated active anti-roll system. The settings for these, plus those for the eight-speed automatic gearbox, throttle map and stability control, are all grouped into various modes, selectable via the Drive Performance Control switch on the centre console. There's a striking difference between Comfort+ and Sport+, where the Gran Coupé changes from being a smooth-riding cruiser to a harder edged proposition that's more engaging to drive - if no out-and-out sports car.

BMW also fitted Integral Active Steering to our test cars, which aids steering at the front, but also steers the rear. With all these systems the Gran Coupé was highly impressive. It's as comfortable as the softest BMW in the range when you want it to be, but at the touch of a button it's keen to pick up the pace. The extra length between the wheels really enhances stability, though it feels like too big a car to be throwing around with aplomb - regardless of how competent it is.

The twin-turbocharged diesel engine will be the pick of the range in the UK and it's as special as ever. It marries a willing top end, where 313hp is produced, to an unending wall of torque, which 'peaks' at 630Nm between 1,500- and 2,500rpm. The 640i model may be as quick to 62mph, but I'd wager that the diesel model leaves that car behind soon after and it's effortlessly quick at all times. As an added bonus it sounds great, with a really meaty note audible inside the cabin.

What you get for your Money: 3/5

BMW will offer the Gran Coupé in SE and M Sport grades. The 640i and 640d ride on 18-inch alloys, while the forthcoming V8-engined 650i features 19-inch rims. All versions get Dakota leather, satnav with a 10.2-inch display, parking sensors all-round, keyless ignition, dual-zone climate control, electric adjustment for the steering wheel and heated seats.

Buyers of the M Sport models additionally get sports seats and 'Aluminium Hexagon' interior trim, along with a distinctive exterior makeover, including 19-inch alloys.

Prices start at £61,390 for the 640i SE Gran Coupé and rise to £70,650 for the 650i SE. That represents a premium of about £1,820 over the regular two-door coupé for the '640' models, and double that at the top end. M Sport versions of the 640i and 640d cost about £4,700 more.

Worth Noting

BMW gave us data comparing each of the Gran Coupé models with rivals from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, and it makes for interesting reading. In 640d guise, the BMW blitzes the Mercedes CLS 350 CDI and Panamera Diesel, not only in terms of power and torque outputs (and hence performance), but also in terms of efficiency. However, it sits far above the Merc on price, and even the Porsche is a little cheaper.

A third car worth mentioning is the equally svelte Audi A7 Sportback. It too has a 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel option, with an identical 313hp output. It produces 650Nm of torque and is just as quick as the 6 Series. It also has quattro four-wheel drive as standard, yet it's priced at a seemingly bargain £51,645.

Summary

We went to the launch of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé expecting to drive a car much like the two-door version with perhaps a little more comfort. We were pleasantly surprised to find a model that is remarkably unique; not only in how it tackles a road, but in how it looks. It's the most desirable 6 Series on sale - and well worth the premium.

http://www.carenthusiast.com/review...eries+Gran+Coup%E9/First+drive+-+640d+SE.html

Guibo, May 4, 2012

#2
- Like x 1
Guibo Well-Known Member

640i

Shane O'Donoghue said:

Overall rating:

These days the default option is to buy diesel in a lot of sectors - even on sports luxury coupés like the 6 Series. BMW reckons the 640d Gran Coupé will be its biggest seller, though the entry-level 640i is well worth a closer look.

In the Metal: 5/5

There's nothing to tell the 640i and 640d Gran Coupés apart other than badging. The transition to four-door coupé from the regular 6 Series really works well, and though the width is unchanged, the Gran Coupé is a little higher to make the roofline work aesthetically with the extended wheelbase. Detail changes include bespoke chrome accents in the nose and bespoke colours.

The test cars in Sicily were all trimmed in an opinion-dividing two-tone colour scheme, mixing white and light-brown leather with Alcantara and a white wood finish. It's part of the BMW Individual collection. Colour combinations aside, the quality and sense of occasion in the Gran Coupé are notable.

Driving it: 4/5

As mentioned in the 6 Series Gran Coupé first drive (of the 640d version), the test cars were loaded with optional driving dynamics features that have a significant effect on how the car drives, so we'll reserve final judgement until we try a more standard version. Saying that, our drive did at least show that the systems could be invaluable in allowing the driver to tailor the car to his mood and the road conditions.

The 640i is powered by the most recent version of the 'TwinPower' turbocharged straight-six cylinder petrol engine that began life in the 335i a few years ago. It features a twin scroll turbocharger, direct injection and Valvetronic variable valve control. Peak power is 320hp, though it's produced in the upper reaches of the rev range so you tend to ride this engine's significant wave of torque, as its full 450Nm is produced all the way from 1,300- to 4,500rpm. Admittedly it doesn't feel quite as effortless as the 640d's engine, but in return it offers a more traditionally sporting sound when you do extend it.

As in the 640d, the eight-speed transmission is very good, smoothly shifting between the gears and speeding things up when you want it to. You're more likely to use the tactile gearshift paddles in this model too.

What you get for your Money: 3/5

The 640i Gran Coupé rides on 18-inch alloys in SE specification and comes with Dakota leather, satnav with a 10.2-inch display, parking sensors all-round, keyless ignition, dual-zone climate control, electric adjustment for the steering wheel and heated seats. The M Sport version, costing about £4,700 more, adds sharper body addenda, 19-inch alloys, black brake calipers, darkened exhaust pipes, sports seats and other detail trim changes.

Given the performance on offer, a combined economy figure of 36.2mpg for the 640i seems quite impressive.

Worth Noting

If you like the idea of a petrol-fuelled 6 Series Gran Coupé - and your wallet's a little fatter - you'd do well to hang on for the 650i version. It's powered by a new development of BMW's twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 putting out 450hp and 650Nm, yet it can return 31.7mpg and emits 206g/km. It will be available with four-wheel drive as well.

Then again you could wait for the BMW M6 Gran Coupé...

Summary

Petrol power is far from dead, and though the 640d is mighty impressive, owners of the entry-level BMW 640i Gran Coupé won't feel short-changed. It looks stunning, is a real occasion inside and drives well. If your purchase doesn't take fuel costs or emissions ratings into consideration this is worth a look.
http://www.carenthusiast.com/review...eries+Gran+Coup%E9/First+drive+-+640i+SE.html

At the launch of the new 6 Series Gran Coupé BMW had a single M Sport version on display. Looks the part. Now imagine how an M6 variant could look...

Guibo, May 4, 2012

#3
- Like x 6
tristatez28lt1 Well-Known Member

Man that car looks good...

tristatez28lt1, May 4, 2012

#4
Just_me Well-Known Member

Where are all the M6's Coupe reviews?

Just_me, May 5, 2012

#5
south Well-Known Member

Just_me said: ↑

Where are all the M6's Coupe reviews?

You might not see M6 Coupe reviews for a while as the convertible is first.

Best regards,
south

south, May 5, 2012

#6
Just_me Well-Known Member

south said: ↑

You might not see M6 Coupe reviews for a while as the convertible is first.

Best regards,
south

There is already M6 Convertible being delivered to a customer but still no pressdrive. Weird.

Just_me, May 5, 2012

#7
south Well-Known Member

Just_me said: ↑

There is already M6 Convertible being delivered to a customer but still no pressdrive. Weird.

Yeap, but I think that customer got their car a bit early.

Best regards,
south

south, May 5, 2012

#8
Just_me Well-Known Member

In short, the 6-series Gran Coupé is a belter – better to look at and drive than the 5-series, if not possessing quite the same level of practicality and load-carrying ability. With a sporting interior, it also feels special to be in. The question now is: why would you want a 6-series coupé?
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/BMW-6-Series-Gran-Coupe-640d/262699/

Just_me, May 5, 2012

#9
- Like x 1
Just_me Well-Known Member

The Gran Coupe weighs around 70kg more than the equivalent two-door, but is still great to drive. The longer wheelbase improves the ride – it’s supple even in the dampers’ stiffest setting – while the optional Adaptive Drive uses active roll bars to keep the car flat in bends.
Also fitted to our 640d was Integral Active Steering: this turns the rear wheels as well as the fronts and works superbly to ensure crisp responses from the well weighted steering.

Read more:http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/282826/bmw_640d_gran_coupe.html#ixzz1u1SfB9WC

Just_me, May 5, 2012

#10
- Like x 2
chonkoa Well-Known Member

It looks good, the only problem is the price.

chonkoa, May 5, 2012

#11
shonguiz Well-Known Member

It looks heavenly, my god what a sight.

shonguiz, May 5, 2012

#12
klier Member

Reviewers seem to like the car. Nice. Also good to read it's much different from the 5 series and even 6er coupe.

I particularly like this quote:

BMW gave us data comparing each of the Gran Coupé models with rivals from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, and it makes for interesting reading. In 640d guise, the BMW blitzes the Mercedes CLS 350 CDI and Panamera Diesel, not only in terms of power and torque outputs (and hence performance), but also in terms of efficiency. However, it sits far above the Merc on price, and even the Porsche is a little cheaper.

M6 Gran Coupe vs Panamera Turbo S.....oh yeah! If the M5 can't claim 4 door king, the M6 GC sure as hell will!

klier, May 6, 2012

#13
tristatez28lt1 Well-Known Member
http://www.insideline.com/bmw/6-series/2013/2013-bwm-640i-gran-coupe-first-drive.html

2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe First Drive
The M7 Finally Arrives in a Slightly Different Package
By Richard Bremner, Contributor | Published May 4, 2012

Poor

So-So

Pretty Good

Good

Excellent

69 Ratings

Comments (26)

"What took you so long?" That's the question many might put to BMW once they've drunk in the handsome sight of the 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe.
Long, low, subtly muscled and drenched with desirability, this is a car that BMW ought to have introduced years ago. Mercedes started the four-door "coupe" trend with its CLS way back in 2005, followed by Porsche's Panamera and Audi's A7. There was a hint of something with the Concept CS at the 2007 Shanghai Auto Show, but then nothing.
According to BMW product management man Thomas Giuliani, the reasons were partly the recession, and partly the desire to base the Gran Coupe on the latest 6 Series platform. The new BMW 6 Series coupe and convertible arrived last year, and now we are in Sicily behind the wheel of the Gran Coupe to see if it was worth the wait.

A Good Start
Curiously, Munich is pitching the Gran Coupe not as a direct Mercedes CLS competitor but as a model positioned slightly above and closer to the Panamera. But the differences in size, price and power seem too small to put much clear blue water between the $71,300 Benz and the roughly $77,000 BMW.
We're not thinking much about that once on the roads of Italy's southernmost island that previously hosted the famously sinuous Targa Florio road race. And with 315 horsepower and a claimed 0-62-mph time of 5.4 seconds, we figured the promise of high entertainment would eventually show up.
The 3.0-liter straight-6 spins with creamy eagerness, its twin-scroll turbocharger delivering a fat torque spread that's unleashed the instant you sink the throttle. There's no lag evident here, especially as the engine's hooked to an eight-speed paddle-shift transmission that masks turbo inertia almost completely.
The out-of-town roads are narrow and this Gran Coupe wide, but it doesn't feel that way because it's quick to respond to the wheel, barely rolls and on tight turns provides extra maneuverability via that optional active steering, as well as rear-wheel steering.

More fundamental practicalities include a rear passenger compartment that proves surprisingly spacious for two.
Add speed and the BMW's confidently athletic nature breaks through, as does the light, urgent beat of a straight-6 that's more than powerful enough to make a convincing sport sedan of this car. Soon we're bounding from bend to bend with rampant speed, fine balance and brakes that seem well up to regularly shedding the speed of a 4,191-pound missile.
Complete Package
And then there's the 2013 BMW 640i Gran Sport's ride. That may seem strange to mention when chasing dynamic thrills, but the combination of dynamic electronic dampers and dynamic drive, which adjusts the resistance of the anti-sway bars to minimize body roll while allowing for a suppler, loping ride, is vital on roads puckered by sun-melted tarmac.
You can alter the suspension's degree of absorbency — assuming you've ordered the dynamic dampers — as well as the transmission's shift strategy, the engine's power delivery and the ESP settings — by toggling through the quintet of settings provided by the center console's adaptive drive button. They range from the fuel-saving Eco Pro mode through Comfort+, Comfort, Sport and Sport+, the last of these partly deactivating the ESP. Select a comfort setting and even on optional 19-inch rims, this BMW rides battered urban roads with near limolike equanimity.
But the real pleasures are to come when the road gets tight; Sicily doesn't seem to do plain straightaways much anyway. A standard Gran Coupe is said to be slightly sportier than the equivalent, more comfort-oriented BMW 5 Series, says BMW, but the Gran Coupe's composure is a little more relaxed than the 6 Series coupe, which has the sportiest standard setup of the bunch.

Tossable for a Big Car
Most of Sicily's roads are buffed to an entertainingly low state of grip, so although the rear wheels may be wearing fat, 275-section rubber, they break away with ease. It's a discovery that rapidly provides plenty of tail-wagging enjoyment, the ESP part-disengaged to allow a ceaseless string of indulgent micro-slides.
Rare stretches of freshly surfaced road soon prove that this BMW musters the plentiful grip that you'd expect on smooth tarmac. And curiously, the 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe comes over as a more convincing drive than the 6 Series coupe, presumably because of the longer wheelbase and different suspension settings.
To access the best of the Gran Coupe's bountiful grunt you must paddle the transmission, an activity that allows full enjoyment of the engine's impressively broad slug of eagerly delivered torque. When the road does straighten a little, the BMW's civility can be savored. The supple ride, the smoothly subdued engine and the lack of commotion make progress as relaxing as the Gran Coupe's sumptuous ambience.
High Style Throughout
The visual appeal of this car carries over to the interior, too, especially if the Gran Coupe features some of BMW's more lavish options. Ours feels like sitting in a rich layer cake, this cabin upholstered in a mix of tan and ice-white hide, a strikingly elegant combination that to these eyes at least, is deeply pleasing.

Laser-straight double-stitching, a tan Alcantara headliner and white wood inserts — this looks a lot better than it sounds — make this a car that's a pleasure merely to sit in, never mind drive.
So do its multiple convenience features, although many of these require further spending, from the excellent head-up display to surround-view front cameras, an air-ripping Bang & Olufsen stereo, near-endlessly adjustable front seats and soft-closing doors.
More fundamental practicalities include a rear passenger compartment that proves surprisingly spacious for two. You can even perch a middle-seat occupant in between for short trips if they don't mind resting their feet on the tunnel-mounted center console. Long-legged front-seat passengers may find their left knee interfered with by the swoop of the center console, however. The trunk is almost long enough to lose things in and unexpectedly, the rear-seat backrests usefully fold forward to extend it.
Worth the Wait
Details like these make the 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe an easier car to own — or an easier one to justify — even if it takes an indulgent trip through the options catalog to reproduce.
But even without a trailer-load of extras, this highly stylish four-door coupe has to be one of the best cars in BMW's armory. It's pleasing to look at, endlessly entertaining from behind the wheel and surprisingly devoid of compromises. It's as though BMW took its time to perfect the four-door coupe instead of merely rushing out a new model to get a stake in the game. If only it could take so long with all of its new models.
tristatez28lt1, May 7, 2012

#14
- Like x 3
klier Member

More praise. Great! This is turning out to be a real winner within the line-up. And needless to say probably, but I much prefer it over the 5-series.

klier, May 7, 2012

#15
- Like x 1
DblPen Active Member

all the praise and they only give it 3 stars?

DblPen, May 7, 2012

#16
klier Member

Who knows, and who cares? Maybe it's the price and all the options you have to pay for?

klier, May 7, 2012

#17
EnI Contributing Member

DblPen said: ↑

all the praise and they only give it 3 stars?

Those ratings are article ratings by readers. (everybody can vote, and it already has 73 votes)
Not the tested car rating by reviewer / test driver / journalist.

Check it again.

EnI, May 7, 2012

#18
- Like x 1
Human BMW's my Brand

It's expensive but believe me it's every penny worth to me. I will pay the premium any day, this car is just a 'must have' in my books

From the day BMW presented the Concept CS back in 2007, I hoped, prayed and advocated that they should do something to let this car or something similar see the light. And the 6 GC is that car!

Concept CS"

Concept CS

Human, May 7, 2012

#19
klier Member

6er GC is a class below Concept CS though...

klier, May 7, 2012

#20

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