It took BMW nearly a decade to join the four-door coupe segment Mercedes-Benz started in 2004 with the CLS-Class. During that time, the trend spread downmarket, resulting in the likes of the Hyundai Sonata and Volkswagen CC. Audi and Porsche got in on the game with the A7 and Panamera, respectively. Some may question the need for yet another four-door in BMW's stable, but this is the same niche-loving automaker that brought us the X6. Despite its fondness for niches, BMW isn't too fond of brevity, and the full name of its top-line, swoop-roof four-door, the 2013 BMW 650i xDrive Gran Coupe, doesn't roll off the tongue as well as CLS, A7, or even Panamera.
The 6 Series Gran Coupe sits on the same 116.9-inch wheelbase as the F10 5 Series. The 197.2-inch-long 6 Series is 4.1 inches longer. It's also 1.4 inches wider but 2.8 inches lower, thanks in part to the low-slung roof. While that's good for capturing stares from other motorists, interior space is sacrificed. Though front occupants actually gain a half an inch of legroom, rear passengers have to make do with 0.7 inch less headroom and 1.3 inches less legroom in the Gran Coupe than in the 5 Series. Our tester's cabin was finished in Canyon Brown Full Merino leather with white stitching and Dark Red Sycamore wood trim. An Alcantara headliner covers the A-, B-, and C-pillars, as well as the large moonroof shade. The front seats feature three-stage heating and cooling as well as a massage function. As with other luxury brands, all three could be used at the same time, though BMW's massage feature has just one setting, which feels like a balloon being inflated and deflated on alternating sides of the seat. While it's an interesting experience, we prefer the massage function on various Mercedes models that focuses on the back and shoulders and offers more settings.
On the street, the Gran Coupe feels planted to the pavement. Instant acceleration is just a pedal stab away, thanks to the 650i's combination of a 445-hp, 480-lb-ft, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 and eight-speed automatic combo. Adjust the settings to Sport or Sport+, and the 650i Gran Coupe offers effortless acceleration from 60 mph to hyper-legal speeds with imperceptible shifts. Sport+ loosens the reins on the traction control as well, allowing slight wheelspin at all four corners during spirited acceleration. At the track, the 650i xDrive Gran Coupe hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at 108.0 mph, considerably quicker than the 640i Gran Coupe and 550i and equal to the 2012 CLS550. Braking performance is impressive as well. The 650i's large 13.7-inch front and 13.6-inch rear brakes stop the 4603-pound car from 60 mph in a mere 106 feet While the ride is firmer than our long-term 535i sedan, the 650i Gran Coupe is far from punishing. The increased firmness seems to only increase handling limits, which are high enough to prohibit exploration on the street. The 19-inch wheel and tire combo is good for 0.94 g around the skidpad and 25.1 seconds at 0.79 g average around our figure eight.
While not cheap, the $90,395 650i xDrive Gran Coupe starts about $21,500 less than the $111,975 Panamera GTS, but it's about $15,000 more than the CLS550 with all-wheel-drive, around $11,000 more than the Audi S7, and a whopping $24,600 more than a 550i xDrive. The upcoming 560-hp 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe will offer more performance - and a higher price tag - when it arrives next year. Despite showing up late to the game, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe makes a grand entrance. But does that make the 650i xDrive Gran Coupe the ultimate four-door coupe driving machine? It depends how deep your love for BMW goes, and we won't know for sure until we get a chance to line it up next to the competition.
The 6 Series Gran Coupe sits on the same 116.9-inch wheelbase as the F10 5 Series. The 197.2-inch-long 6 Series is 4.1 inches longer. It's also 1.4 inches wider but 2.8 inches lower, thanks in part to the low-slung roof. While that's good for capturing stares from other motorists, interior space is sacrificed. Though front occupants actually gain a half an inch of legroom, rear passengers have to make do with 0.7 inch less headroom and 1.3 inches less legroom in the Gran Coupe than in the 5 Series. Our tester's cabin was finished in Canyon Brown Full Merino leather with white stitching and Dark Red Sycamore wood trim. An Alcantara headliner covers the A-, B-, and C-pillars, as well as the large moonroof shade. The front seats feature three-stage heating and cooling as well as a massage function. As with other luxury brands, all three could be used at the same time, though BMW's massage feature has just one setting, which feels like a balloon being inflated and deflated on alternating sides of the seat. While it's an interesting experience, we prefer the massage function on various Mercedes models that focuses on the back and shoulders and offers more settings.
On the street, the Gran Coupe feels planted to the pavement. Instant acceleration is just a pedal stab away, thanks to the 650i's combination of a 445-hp, 480-lb-ft, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 and eight-speed automatic combo. Adjust the settings to Sport or Sport+, and the 650i Gran Coupe offers effortless acceleration from 60 mph to hyper-legal speeds with imperceptible shifts. Sport+ loosens the reins on the traction control as well, allowing slight wheelspin at all four corners during spirited acceleration. At the track, the 650i xDrive Gran Coupe hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at 108.0 mph, considerably quicker than the 640i Gran Coupe and 550i and equal to the 2012 CLS550. Braking performance is impressive as well. The 650i's large 13.7-inch front and 13.6-inch rear brakes stop the 4603-pound car from 60 mph in a mere 106 feet While the ride is firmer than our long-term 535i sedan, the 650i Gran Coupe is far from punishing. The increased firmness seems to only increase handling limits, which are high enough to prohibit exploration on the street. The 19-inch wheel and tire combo is good for 0.94 g around the skidpad and 25.1 seconds at 0.79 g average around our figure eight.
While not cheap, the $90,395 650i xDrive Gran Coupe starts about $21,500 less than the $111,975 Panamera GTS, but it's about $15,000 more than the CLS550 with all-wheel-drive, around $11,000 more than the Audi S7, and a whopping $24,600 more than a 550i xDrive. The upcoming 560-hp 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe will offer more performance - and a higher price tag - when it arrives next year. Despite showing up late to the game, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe makes a grand entrance. But does that make the 650i xDrive Gran Coupe the ultimate four-door coupe driving machine? It depends how deep your love for BMW goes, and we won't know for sure until we get a chance to line it up next to the competition.
2015 BMW 6-Series
Reviewed by admin
Published :
Rating : 4.5
Published :
Rating : 4.5
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