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New BMW coupe gets the go-ahead

The Concept Gran Coupe shown in Beijing in April. The all-new BMW four-door coupe will be based on this concept.
The Concept Gran Coupe shown in Beijing in April. The all-new BMW four-door coupe will be based on this concept.
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.”

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