The new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo blends the long-distance comfort of a luxury sedan with alluring coupe style. The impressive functionality offered by this body format and the high standards of driving comfort and spaciousness that provide the ideal setting for a relaxing journey are among the features that defined the character of the new car’s predecessor – the founder of this vehicle genre. These strengths have now been further honed in the new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, whose systematic evolution from the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is particularly evident in the new model’s sporting elegance, highly advanced equipment features, innovative control and assistance systems, and a leap forward in dynamism and efficiency.
A combination of intelligent lightweight engineering and increased use of aluminium and high-strength steel grades for body and chassis components has shaved an average of around 150kg off the weight of the 6 Series Gran Turismo compared to the outgoing model. Together with the considerable improvement in the car’s aerodynamic properties, the increase in power and the superior efficiency of the new engines, this endows the car with sportier performance at the same time as optimising fuel economy.
An exterior length of 5091mm (an increase of 87mm on its predecessor), an unchanged width of 1902mm and a reduction in height of 21mm (to 1538mm) give the 6 Series Gran Turismo dynamically stretched proportions.
The interior has been designed to provide a driver-focused cockpit and an extremely spacious passenger compartment. The raised seating position optimises the driver’s all-round view and, together with the ergonomic arrangement of the controls, helps to create an imperious sense of driving pleasure. The cabin’s lines, materials and precision workmanship imbue it with a highly sophisticated, premium feel.
The rear compartment of the 6 Series Gran Turismo comprises three full-sized seats offering maximised legroom. Exhaustive optimisation of the cabin’s packaging sees the new model’s far flatter roofline translating into extra headroom, while the restyled rear seat unit and improved soundproofing make it even more comfortable to travel in. The electrically adjustable comfort seats optionally available for the rear allow the backrest angle to be altered at the push of a button.
The 6 Series Gran Turismo features a one-piece tailgate that opens and closes electrically as standard. The boot capacity of 610 litres is 110 litres larger than the predecessor model’s. The boot sill has been lowered by more than five centimetres and is now flush with the boot floor. The 40:20:40 split backrest can be released remotely and folded flat electrically via a button in the boot. All of which means that maximum load space has increased to 1800 litres – up 100 litres on the outgoing model. The two-piece luggage compartment cover has a rigid structure and can be stowed away in a compartment underneath the boot floor.
The new 6 Series Gran Turismo will make its public debut at Frankfurt’s International Motor Show (IAA) in September 2017. The market launch will then get underway in November 2017, when there will initially be a choice of three engines from the BMW Group’s latest generation of power units. 
Read our review of the BMW 340i Gran Turismo.
Read our overseas review and local review of the BMW 540i.
