BMW M6 GranCoupe unveiled

BMW has revealed the M6 GranCoupe, a four-door variant of the 552bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8-powered M6. It joins the Coupe and cabriolet versions, as well as the similarly sized four-door M5 in BMW’s now diverse line-up of large M-sport models, and is expected to go on sale in spring 2013.

The M6 GranCoupe is slightly longer and lower than the M5, and will rival the Mercedes CLS 63 AMG and Porsche’s Panamera Turbo in the growing four-door super coupe class.

BMW says that the M6 GranCoupe is just 5kg heavier than the M5, weighing in at 1950kg, and 0-62mph is pegged at 4.2secs with an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Like Audi, BMW now offers an optional performance package, which raises the top speed to 189mph along the fitment of uprated tyres.

With a view to making the M6 stand out from the lesser GranCoupes, M-Sport has worked on a new aerodynamic package for the car. The front bumper gets much larger cooling intakes for added cooling, the wide arches allow for a widened track, and the roof is made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic. The rear bumper features a diffuser, with quad tailpipes poking out.

Lightweight 20-inch alloys house new high-performance steel brakes, although carbon-ceramic discs are available as an option.