BMW Gran Turismo: looks, comfort and practicality

BMW is presenting an extensively updated successor to one of the most creative vehicle concepts of recent years.

The new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo blends the long-distance comfort of a luxury sedan with alluring coupe style.

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The impressive functionality offered by this body format and the high standards of driving comfort and spaciousness that provide the ideal setting for a relaxing journey, are among features defining the character of itspredecessor – the founder of this genre.

These strengths have now been further honed in the new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, whose systematic evolution from the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is particularly evident in the new model’s sporting elegance, highly advanced equipment features, innovative control and assistance systems, and a leap forward in dynamism and efficiency.

A combination of intelligent lightweight engineering and increased use of aluminium and high-strength steel grades for body and chassis components has shaved an average of around 150kg off the weight of the new model compared to the 5 series.

The considerable improvement in the car’s aerodynamic properties, the increase in power and the superior efficiency of the new engines, endows it with sportier performance at the same time as optimising fuel economy.

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Depending on the engine variant, fuel consumption and emissions figures in the NEDC test cycle are as much as 15% lower (BMW 640i Gran Turismo, BMW 630d Gran Turismo).

Handling dynamics and driving comfort reap the benefits of the extensive improvements made to chassis technology.

Self-levelling air suspension comes as standard at the rear axle, while ride comfort especially can be further enhanced by opting for the Adaptive suspension (featuring front and rear air suspension plus Dynamic Damper Control).

The Executive Drive option, offered in combination with the Integral Active Steering System, also includes active roll stabilisation, giving the vehicle a sportier edge.

The two-axle air suspension allows the vehicle’s ride height to be adjusted manually, meaning ground clearance can be increased by 20mm at the touch of a button to negotiate dirt tracks or steep ramps, for example.

The vehicle can also be lowered by 10mm – either manually by again pushing a button, or automatically when SPORT mode is engaged via the Driving Experience Control switch or the car exceeds 120km/h.

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The interior has been designed to provide a driver-focused cockpit and an extremely spacious passenger compartment.

The raised seating position optimises the driver’s all-round view and, together with the faultlessly ergonomic arrangement of the controls, creates an imperious sense of driving pleasure.

Engines available for the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo feature cutting-edge TwinPower Turbo technology and team up with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard.

Generating an output of 250kW and maximum torque of 450Nm, the 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line petrol engine enables the new BMW 640i xDrive Gran Turismo to accelerate to 100km/h from rest in 5.3 seconds, it is claimed.

The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line diesel engine producing 195kW and peak torque of 620Nm can be combined with 4WD as an option.

The new BMW 630d Gran Turismo races from 0 – 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, it is said. The new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo has a display and control system offering unrivalled versatility.

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At the heart of it all is the iDrive system, complete with the Touch Controller on the centre console and the Control Display, now in a freestanding touchscreen. It offers enhanced voice control and BMW gesture control.