First Look: BMW Concept 6-Series Coupe

News I By Brandon Turkus I September 20, 2010

BMW has taken the wraps off of its Concept 6-Series Coupe a few weeks before the Paris Motor Show. This may be labeled as “Concept” but it is really a concept car in name only. With the exception of a few details that have been gussied up for auto show duty, word is that this coupe is essentially our first look at the new 6-Series, which will likely debut as a 2012 model. 

The Concept 6-Series Coupe borrows many of its design elements from the gorgeous Gran Coupe Conceptfrom the 2010 Beijing Auto Show. Major elements include the shapes of the headlights, hood, and taillights. The overall package is handsome, and is a welcome evolution of the polarizing flame surfacing on the last-generation 6-Series.
 
BMW is mum on powertrain specs, but it is reasonable to expect the 4.4-liter biturbocharged V-8 to find its way under the hood, while the smaller 3.0-liter turbocharged I-6 from the 335i and 535i is also a possibility.
 
Besides the new clothes, the Concept 6-Series Coupe is gaining some new tech, including full LED headlights and a freestanding control display for the iDrive system. This freestanding display looks similar to the nav system on Cadillac’s CTS, with the screen rising out of the dash. We also dig the Bang & Olufsen speakers with the pop-up tweeter, and the full glass roof.
 
We’ll have more from Paris when the show begins on October 2.
 
Please scroll down for the official press release from BMW.
 
BMW at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.
 
    * World premiere: the BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé.
      The 2010 Paris Motor Show is the setting for the world premiere of the BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé. This design study for a premium-class 2+2-seater is the embodiment of a passion for aesthetics and dynamics. Flowing lines and aesthetically sculpted surfaces define the design of the BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé, in which classic BMW coupé styling cues are given a modern rendition. Among the innovative details featured in this concept study are full LED headlights and a newly designed, freestanding Control Display for the iDrive operating system.
   
* World premiere: the new BMW X3.
      Boasting enhanced dynamics, ride comfort, interior space and versatility, the new BMW X3 significantly extends its lead in the segment established by its forerunner. And in the efficiency stakes, the two engine variants accompanying the launch likewise set new benchmarks. For the first time the Auto Start-Stop function is combined with a six-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The new BMW X3 is also the first BMW X model to feature electromechanical Servotronic steering as standard and the option of Drive Dynamic Control. Also unique in this segment are the driver assistance systems from BMW ConnectedDrive available for the new BMW X3, which include Adaptive Headlights, Head-Up Display and the rear view camera with Top View.
   
* World premiere: the new BMW 5 Series Touring with additional engine variants and the M Sports package.
      Two additional diesel engines and a further petrol unit complement the range of powerplants available to the new BMW 5 Series Touring. The BMW 525d Touring is powered by a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine with 150 kW/204 hp, while the straight-six that drives the BMW 535d Touring summons up 220 kW/300 hp thanks to BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The BMW 528i Touring lines up for action with lean-burn high precision injection and output of 190 kW/258 hp. Also stepping out in Paris are the first all-wheel-drive models of the new Executive Touring in the form of the BMW 535i xDrive Touring and the BMW 530d xDrive. Yet another debut is that of the new M Sports package for the BMW 5 Series Touring.
  
* World premiere: M Sports package and xDrive all-wheel drive for the new BMW 5 Series Saloon; xDrive for all BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo models.
      The range of engine variants for the new BMW 5 Series Saloon is being extended by a further diesel unit, namely the in-line six-cylinder engine of the BMW 535d Saloon with output of 220 kW/300 hp. The Paris Motor Show also presents the M Sports package, available for the new BMW 5 Series Saloon for the first time. In addition, BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive technology is now also available for the new BMW 5 Series Saloon – in conjunction with an eight-cylinder engine for the first time in this model series. Next to the BMW 550i xDrive, Paris also hosts the world premiere of the BMW 535i xDrive and BMW 530d xDrive. All engine variants of the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, moreover, can in future be specified with xDrive all-wheel drive.
  
* Innovation: “hands-free tailgate opening”.
      At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, BMW for the first time grants a preview of an innovative comfort function from BMW ConnectedDrive that facilitates loading the car. The “hands-free tailgate opening” function is demonstrated on the new BMW 5 Series Saloon and new BMW 5 Series Touring. When the customer is standing behind the car, this feature allows the tailgate to be automatically opened by a specific movement of the foot. This innovative function will form part of the Comfort Access option and will be available for the new BMW 5 Series Touring and new BMW 5 Series Saloon from autumn 2011.
 
* Innovations: the new product range from BMW M GmbH.
      The range of products on offer from BMW M GmbH has been extended by new options that highlight the racing-inspired dynamics of the BMW M3 even more sharply. The M Performance retrofit components from the Original BMW Accessories range make their debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and are focused on the areas of aerodynamics and the interior. In addition, an M Sports package is being presented not only for the new BMW 5 Series Saloon and new BMW 5 Series Touring, but also for the new BMW X3.
   
* Innovations: BMW ConnectedDrive with new functions.
      Thanks to the intelligent linking of the driver and his vehicle with the wider world, BMW ConnectedDrive is able to create fascinating possibilities for boosting comfort and safety as well as optimising the use of infotainment functions. BMW ConnectedDrive also takes the global lead when it comes to connecting smartphones and music players in the car. At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, BMW showcases a globally unique technology for integrating BlackBerry smartphones in the car, which among other things permits the display of emails including the text-to-speech function. BMW also presents the new Bluetooth interface technology that was created for the Apple iOS 4 operating system and allows the new Apple iPhone 4 to be integrated, among other devices. Also on show is the iPod Out function, which optimises the operation of various Apple music players in the vehicle. New possibilities for online use are opened up by the WiFi hotspot function that provides rear-seat passengers using a notebook or iPad with wireless internet access while on the move.
 

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