Know Your Enemy, Know Yourself?

Understanding rivals can often greatly aid in comprehending a model.

The BMW "6 Series" lineup previously consisted of coupes and convertibles, both with two doors. Now, the "Gran Coupe" with four doors has been added. When asked about its rivals, BMW's PR representative pointed directly to the PorschePanameraand the Mercedes-BenzCLSThe answer was.

In terms of a coupe-like four-door vehicle in the 5-meter class, both models align perfectly with the positioning of the 6 Series Gran Coupe. The Panamera, with its emphasis on sporty driving, and the CLS, where the Mercedes brand enhances its sense of luxury, effectively highlight the two key elements that the 6 Series Gran Coupe promotes.



What about the AudiA7 Sportback? It's also a coupe-like model in the 5-meter class with four doors. It seems reasonable to consider it a competitor to the 6 Series Gran Coupe, but the PR representative's answer was "No." This is because the A7 Sportback is a five-door hatchback with a tailgate.

While that is true, it wouldn't be surprising if fans considered the A7 Sportback, with its elegantly flowing styling despite being a hatchback, when comparing it to the 6 Series Gran Coupe. What truly matters is the unique characteristics the 6 Series Gran Coupe possesses in relation to these rivals. Therefore, this report will introduce the appeal of the 6 Series Gran Coupe while incorporating comparisons with its competitors.

Exploring Design and Interior Space

First, let's consider the styling. The BMW 6 Series has always garnered attention for its beautiful design, dating back to the debut of the first generation in 1976. This remains true for the latest 6 Series Gran Coupe. However, while the Panamera, CLS, and A7 Sportback all extensively utilize elegant curves, the 6 Series Gran Coupe features a design composed of sharp, straight lines. As a result, the 6 Series Gran Coupe successfully achieves a crisp, powerful image, a distinct characteristic setting it apart from its rivals.

Within this linear design, the 6 Series Gran Coupe creates an interior space where four adults can relax comfortably. The sense of spaciousness experienced in the front seats is inherited from the 6 Series Coupe, which was born as a luxurious two-door model. The rear seats, on the other hand, offer expanded legroom for rear passengers by extending the wheelbase by 115mm compared to the two-door model. For instance, when the author, who is 172cm tall, adjusts to an appropriate driving position and then moves to the rear seat, there is about one and a half fists' worth of space around the knees.



Measuring the rear headroom in a similar manner, a horizontally placed fist fits comfortably. This is likely achieved through clever design that secures ample space within the flowing coupe form and meticulous packaging. Furthermore, the angle of the rear seatbacks is appropriate, so spending extended periods in the rear seats should not be uncomfortable.

Beyond this practical spaciousness, the rear seats of the 6 Series Gran Coupe felt bright and airy. The test car's electric glass sunroof undoubtedly contributed positively, but even without it, rear passengers should not feel cramped. In these aspects, it certainly surpasses the Panamera and is on par with the CLS and A7 Sportback.

The Silky Six: A True BMW Masterpiece

The 6 Series Gran Coupe is available with two engine options: a 3.0-liter inline-6 turbo and a 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo. The former is called the "640i Gran Coupe," and the latter is the "650i Gran Coupe." As the 650i Gran Coupe deliveries are scheduled to begin in October, we were only able to test drive the 640i Gran Coupe on this occasion. Both models are equipped with an 8-speed sports automatic transmission.

BMW's straight-six engine, renowned for its silky smoothness, has reached a level of perfection that leaves little room for further praise. However, compared to earlier straight-six engines that conveyed a refined vibration and proudly proclaimed their precision engineering, the latest iteration has further refined its smoothness to a point where it can be described as virtually vibration-free.



It goes without saying that BMW, which advocates "Efficient Dynamics," has incorporated the latest downsizing concept into this engine. However, compared to Audi, which emphasizes efficiency by rapidly upshifting from low speeds, BMW seems to convey a more sustained sense of acceleration. This does not mean the 640i Gran Coupe is inefficient; while producing a maximum output of 320ps and peak torque of 450Nm, it achieves a fuel economy of 12.4 km/ℓ under the JC08 mode. Therefore, while this is purely a matter of presentation, drivers accustomed to the appeal of naturally aspirated engines might prefer the 640i Gran Coupe over the A7 Sportback or CLS.

The power delivery of the 3-liter inline-6 twin-scroll turbo, which combines exquisitely with the 8-speed automatic transmission, provides instant power at any speed or RPM, leaving no room for dissatisfaction. This allows for effortless control, whether accelerating out of a low-speed corner where maximum traction is desired, or navigating a high-speed corner where subtle throttle adjustments are needed to control the car's attitude. It truly embodies the spirit of BMW as an "engine manufacturer."

Engaging in Deep Dialogue with the Car

The suspension adeptly handles vibrations (harshness) when crossing uneven surfaces, transmitting no jarring feel. It possesses a suppleness that maintains ample road holding even on undulating roads. Furthermore, thanks to the wide track—1600mm front and 1665mm rear—the roll rigidity is high, preventing unnecessary anxiety during sporty driving. The high roll rigidity also contributes to improved handling response, and in this aspect, we could clearly see BMW's distinct characteristics.

What exactly constitutes sporty handling? There is likely more than one answer. For instance, Mercedes and Audi have, for the past few years, emphasized agility. This refers to the characteristic of the nose responding quickly when the steering is initially turned. Indeed, recent sporty models from Mercedes and Audi tend to initiate turn-in with even slight steering inputs.



The driver's composure even during hard cornering is likely due to this. It's a testament to the intimate dialogue between the author and the 640i Gran Coupe that, within just ten minutes of starting the test drive, I was able to navigate a narrow winding road, allowing the nearly 1.9m wide body to slide gently.



BMW, which pursues driving dynamics with its own philosophy without blindly following trends, seems to have imbued the 640i Gran Coupe with the experience gained from years of building sporty models.

BMW 640i Gran Coupe
Engine | Inline 6-cylinder DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger
Displacement | 2,979 cc
Max. Output | 235kW (320ps) / 5,800 rpm
Max. Torque | 450Nm (45.9kgm) / 1,300-4,500 rpm
Length x Width x Height | 5,010 x 1,895 x 1,390 mm
Wheelbase | 2,970 mm
Tread (Front/Rear) | 1,600 / 1,665 mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,860 kg
Min. Turning Radius | 5.5 m
Minimum Ground Clearance | 125 mm
Trunk Capacity | 460 ℓ (Max. 1,265ℓ with rear seats folded)
Transmission | 8-speed AT
Seating Capacity | 5 persons
Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive
Fuel Economy (JC08 mode) | 12.4 km/ℓ

BMW 650i Gran Coupe
Engine | V8 DOHC with Twin-Turbocharger
Displacement | 4,394 cc
Max. Output | 330kW (450ps) / 5,500 rpm
Max. Torque | 650Nm (66.3kgm) / 2,000-4,500 rpm
Length x Width x Height | 5,010 x 1,895 x 1,390 mm
Wheelbase | 2,970 mm
Tread (Front/Rear) | 1,595 / 1,635 mm
Vehicle Weight | - kg
Min. Turning Radius | 5.5 m
Minimum Ground Clearance | 125 mm
Trunk Capacity | 460 ℓ (Max. 1,265ℓ with rear seats folded)
Transmission | 8-speed AT
Seating Capacity | 5 persons
Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive
Fuel Economy (JC08 mode) | - km/ℓ