Advertisement

2015 BMW 6-series Gran Coupe: Updated But Not Ruined

Photo credit: MICHAEL SIMARI, THE MANUFACTURER
Photo credit: MICHAEL SIMARI, THE MANUFACTURER

From Car and Driver

Whatever your view on the recently coined "four-door coupe" phrase, BMW’s largest take on the concept, the 6-series Gran Coupe, is a stunner. It is a far-better-looking 5-series sedan, terminology be damned. And unlike its rivals from Audi and Mercedes-Benz, the BMW is actually based on a real two-door coupe. (That car itself shares much with a sedan, but we’ll let that slide.) Given how that 6er receives updates for 2015, it should come as no surprise that the Gran Coupe is getting a refresh, too.

As with the 2015 6-series coupe and convertible, the Gran Coupe’s changes will be noticeable only to experts and BMW fanatics. The front fascia inherits a full-width lower-intake design reminiscent of that used on Mercedes-AMG’s latest products, while the kidney grilles lose one vertical slat. BMW has fitted full-LED headlights as standard, and the turn-signal element migrates from the bottom to the top of the lighting units. There are also turn-signal indicators in the door mirrors and a few tweaks to the color, trim, and wheel choices.

Photo credit: MICHAEL SIMARI, THE MANUFACTURER
Photo credit: MICHAEL SIMARI, THE MANUFACTURER

The light-refresh theme continues inside. The cabin gets a bit more chrome but no more usable space. The back seat remains tight-make no mistake, the 6-series Gran Coupe is not a viable alternative to a 7-series (or even a 5er) for people-hauling duty.

Photo credit: MICHAEL SIMARI, THE MANUFACTURER
Photo credit: MICHAEL SIMARI, THE MANUFACTURER

BMW hasn’t meddled with the 6-series Gran Coupe’s mechanicals. Buyers can once again choose between rear- or xDrive all-wheel drive, and an eight-speed automatic remains the sole transmission option. The entry-level 640i Gran Coupe is powered by a 315-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and gets a new sports exhaust system, while the stronger choice remains the 650i Gran Coupe and its 445-hp twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 6-series Gran Coupe commands a massive price premium over the 5-series and costs more than the two-door 6-series coupe, but its seductive sheetmetal may justify the outlay. And given how the Gran Coupe makes up nearly half of all 6-series sales, clearly customers agree-even in the face of less-expensive competitors such as the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS. Given how the 6-series Gran Coupe is good business for BMW and even better business for our eyes, it’s easy to see why there are minimal updates for 2015.

('You Might Also Like',)