BMW’s head of development has said the company will build the Gran Coupe concept car.
The production car will be positioned close to the new 6 Series, Klaus Draeger told Autoweek, and will compete with luxury four-door coupes such as Mercedes-Benz’s CLS and Audi’s forthcoming A7.
The all-new 6 Series coupe will debut in 2011, while the Gran Coupe-based car will debut in 2012. Its name has not been announced but the new car will feature powertrains similar to those seen in the 5, 6 and 7 Series. Draeger said a hybrid version was possible.
The Concept Gran Coupe, designed to provide the best of what grand tourers and sports cars have to offer, shares its underpinnings with the current 5 and 7 Series and 5 Series GT but has a lower roofline than the 7 Series.
The concept was unveiled at the Beijing auto show earlier this year.
BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk said at the launch: “It’s true that the Gran Coupe points to a specific model, a saloon with the presence and elegance of a 7 Series but with a more dynamic and sporty character; it's much more of a driver’s car.
"We’re convinced that we should make a car like this.”
The production car will be positioned close to the new 6 Series, Klaus Draeger told Autoweek, and will compete with luxury four-door coupes such as Mercedes-Benz’s CLS and Audi’s forthcoming A7.
The all-new 6 Series coupe will debut in 2011, while the Gran Coupe-based car will debut in 2012. Its name has not been announced but the new car will feature powertrains similar to those seen in the 5, 6 and 7 Series. Draeger said a hybrid version was possible.
The Concept Gran Coupe, designed to provide the best of what grand tourers and sports cars have to offer, shares its underpinnings with the current 5 and 7 Series and 5 Series GT but has a lower roofline than the 7 Series.
The concept was unveiled at the Beijing auto show earlier this year.
BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk said at the launch: “It’s true that the Gran Coupe points to a specific model, a saloon with the presence and elegance of a 7 Series but with a more dynamic and sporty character; it's much more of a driver’s car.
"We’re convinced that we should make a car like this.”