BMW to expand Gran Coupe theme

THE 6 Series Gran Coupe will not be the last of its type from BMW, with smaller versions planned for production in the next few years as the 4 Series and 2 Series.

As we reported last week, the long-rumoured four-door 4 Series, another swoopy four-seater, kicking off from 2014 as the brand’s answer to the Audi A5 Sportback.

This scaled-down 3 Series-based Gran Coupe will top a family of 4 Series-badged models, including a two-door Coupe and folding-hardtop Convertible, and possibly a Gran Turismo five-door hatch/wagon in the mould of the 5 Series GT.

Beyond that, a new three-box four-door version of the latest 1 Series – to be called the 2 Series – is understood to be in development for a mid-decade arrival, to sit immediately below the 4 Series.

Along with the upcoming replacements for the existing 1 Series Coupe and Convertible, BMW is believed to be reserving the 2 Series badge for the future four-door model.

Meanwhile, the 6 Series Gran Coupe range will grow from the single 640i model with the release of the V8-powered 650i in September, while an M6 will come to Australia in 2013.

The performance flagship will include a modified version of the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 fitted to the M5 sports sedan.

Finally, a high-performance diesel-powered 640d model is under consideration, but BMW Australia head of communications Piers Scott said this would not come until at least the model’s midlife refresh in about two years.

“There is a 640d available internationally, and let’s just say it is on the watch list, but there are no plans to introduce that in the short term (in Australia),” he said.

What’s coming from BMW:
650i Gran Coupe	September
M6 Gran Coupe	2013
2 Series Coupe	2013
4 Series Coupe	2014
2 Series Convertible	2014
4 Series Convertible	2014
4 Series Gran Coupe	2014/5
4 Series GT	2014/5
2 Series Gran Coupe	2015