BMW swaps 5 for 6 with new Gran Turismo

BMW has revealed the all-new 6 Series Gran Turismo which will succeed the outgoing 5 Series Gran Turismo, with the five-door liftback set to be offered only in 630i guise when it goes on sale in Australia during the fourth quarter this year.

Based on the seventh-generation 5 Series – which started arriving locally in March – the size of the Gran Turismo has changed in nearly all respects, offering more space than before.

Compared to its predecessor, length has increased by 87mm to 5091mm, with height reduced by 21mm to 1538mm. A width of 1902mm carries over, while the wheelbase measures in at 3070mm.

These longer, lower proportions have resulted in the five-seater’s drag coefficient being reduced from 0.29 to as little as 0.25 when the automatic rear spoiler is deployed.

Similarly, luggage capacity has also been upsized, with the boot now capable of swallowing 610 litres – an improvement of 110L – with the back seats up, while easy access is provided by an electric tailgate.

Storage leaps to 1800L (+100L) when the electrically operated 40:20:40 split rear bench is folded flat.

Despite an increase in physical size, BMW claims vehicle weight has dropped by 150kg on average thanks to the increased use of aluminium and high-strength steel grades for body and chassis components.

Exterior and interior styling for the Gran Turismo can easily be likened to the current-gen 5 Series sedan, albeit slightly larger inside and out with a coupe-inspired silhouette. Standard LED headlights and 3D-effect tail-lights help complete the look.

BMW Australia has confirmed that the Gran Turismo will initially arrive Down Under in 630i form, meaning it will employ a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that punches out 190kW and 400Nm via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The rear-wheel-drive 630i can knock down the sprint from zero to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds – 0.7s quicker than its forbear – while posting a fuel consumption figure of 6.2-6.6L per 100 kilometres and carbon dioxide emissions of 142-152 grams/km.

While two other powerplant options will be available overseas, BMW Group Australia product communications manager Adam Davis said a future expansion of the local line-up remains under consideration.

These extend to a pair of 3.0-litre turbo six-potters, including the oil-burning 195kW/620Nm 630d and the petrol-powered 250kW/450Nm 640i. Both are also offered internationally with the brand’s xDrive system that sends power to all four wheels.

Air suspension for the rear axle is standard with overseas variants, while the optional adaptive suspension package – which includes dynamic damper control – extends this set-up to the front, too.

Ride height can be increased by 20mm or lowered by 10mm with the push of a button when the dual-axle air suspension is fitted. Alternatively, the Gran Turismo will automatically lower itself when the Sport driving mode is selected or the vehicle’s speed exceeds 120km/h.

Nevertheless, local specification and pricing will be released closer to the 630i Gran Turismo’s on-sale date. Expect to see a 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia system, gesture and voice control, head-up display and the latest suite of safety technologies to be offered.

The manufacturer will be hoping that the Gran Turismo takes off its second time around, with only 17 units sold this year until the end of May, which trails the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (95) and Audi A7 Sportback (42).

According to BMW AG member of the board of management Ian Robertson, a blend of luxury, design and dynamics will help set the new model on the right track.

“The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo offers a unique combination of luxurious interior comfort and flexible practicality, packaged within a truly elegant design,” he said.

“Coupled with the sporty, dynamic driving characteristics our customers enjoy, this car is an outstanding vehicle which further enhances the upper end of our BMW model line-up.”

As previously reported, the 6 Series range is currently undergoing a transformation as its Coupe body style is supposedly being phased out of production in favour of the reborn 8 Series that lobs next year.

The 6 Series Gran Turismo will make its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, with it set to roll into European showrooms in November. An Aussie launch will occur shortly after this time.