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| BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe |
The 6 series has gotten better with the addition of a new member in its spectacular line. The new 6 series Gran Coupe is a 4 door version of the 6 series coupe. It has a length of 4.4 inches longer than its 2-door sisters. The extra length has been used to improve seating comfort for the rear passengers. Compared to its 5 series sister the Gran Coupe is 4 inches longer, 1.3 inches wider and 2.8 inches lower.
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| Enough room on the boot for storage of essentials |
CHARACTERISTICS AND LOOKS
The front end is dominated by the large and slightly forward-slanting BMW kidney grille. The kidney grille slats, angled slightly towards the top, give the front end a “shark nose” character. The curve lines of the hood converge towards the kidney grille, forming a V-shape which is continued by the shape of the headlights, kidney and wide air intake to give it a road-focused look.
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| Larger than the BMW 5 series |
Flared wheel arches and the LED fog lamps, placed well to the outside, highlight the width of the front end. The lower air intake is split into three sections by model-specific L-shaped electroplated bars. They pick up the shape of the hood lines and BMW kidney grille to add extra intensity to the road-focused stance of the front end.
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| Front Adaptive Bi xenon headlamps |
The new Gran Coupe is equipped with Adaptive Xenon headlights as standard. However there are optional adaptive LED headlights. The LED headlight bright white light provides a bright and even illumination of the road ahead. From a colour perspective, the light comes much closer to natural daylight than that created by conventional halogen or xenon headlights.
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| Shark nose front design |
The Gran Coupe’s distinctive appearance is dominated by its four-door layout, longer wheelbase than its other 6 series sisters and a longer passenger compartment. The low, elegantly stretched roof line, which flows smoothly into the rear end, is a similarly eye-catching and distinctive feature of the new model’s shape. It has longer side window surfaces than those found on the two-door version. This gives a clue of the extra space available in the rear compartment.
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| High mounted stop light |
Side windows extending far back give the passenger compartment the low-slung, stretched look typical of Coupes. High-quality chrome line exterior surrounds for the side windows complement the coupe style window line. It also comes with uniquely styled 18 inch wheels.
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| Rear Bang and Olufsen Speaker |
The conspicuously flared wheel arches spotlight the car’s wide track and underline the horizontally structured character of the rear. The trunk lid and rear fascia both have flatter surfacing than their counterparts on the other coupe models.
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| Polished door handles |
The two-part, L-shaped rear lights use a pair of LED light strips to generate the distinctive night-time look. The third brake light is integrated into the roof and stretches the full length of the rear window.
POWERPLANT
The 640i Gran Coupe comes with a 3.0-liter 6 cylinder engine found in the 6 series coupe. The engine has been retuned to give a maximum power output of 315 hp. 0 to 100km/h is over in 5.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250km/h. Fuel consumption is an impressive 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres covered. The 650i comes with the TwinPower V8 engine that has been specially tuned for the Gran Coupe.
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| Crafted door silts |
This gives out 445 hp and takes 4.6 seconds to reach 100km/h fro 0. It’s also limited to 250km/h and uses 8.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. In the 650i xDrive, the engine is connected to the xDrive all wheel management system. It can sprint for 0 to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
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| Side mirrors with blind spot detectors |
Connected to the engine is an 8 speed Sport Automatic transmission that combines with EfficientDynamics system such as Brake Energy Regeneration, engine Auto Start-Stop, on-demand operation of additional components, intelligent lightweight construction and extensive aerodynamic refinement collaborate to ensure maximum efficiency.
SUPER HANDLING TECHNOLOGIES
It rides on cutting edge double wishbone front axle and the multi-link rear axle are made predominantly from aluminium. The optional Active Roll Stabilization combines with the standard Dynamic Damper Control to offer the driver even more precise responses and perfectly flat cornering ability. The electronically controlled shock absorbers adapt to the road surface and the driver’s style to perfectly control the car’s body motions. The electronically controlled damper system in the Gran Coupe adjusts compression and recoil settings continuously and independently.
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| BMW W spoked wheels |
The driving speed and the damper setting chosen by the driver are also taken into account in calculating the damping force required for each individual wheel to even out body movements. The optional Active Roll Stabilization feature reduces body roll in corners and in sudden changes of direction. Sensors calculate the amount of body roll based on the driving situation at hand. It then counteracted quickly and precisely.
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| Side gills |
The lightweight floating-calliper brakes feature vented discs and Dynamic Stability Control. DSC brings together technology such as the Anti-lock Braking System, Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control, Dynamic Brake Control, the Start-off Assistant, the automatic Brake Drying function and Brake Fade Compensation.
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| Twin Power V8 Heart |
There is also a new Driving Dynamics Control function that includes ECO PRO mode, which is standard on all 6-Series models. The driver can choose settings of COMFORT+, COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and ECO PRO modes using the large rocker switch on the centre console.
COMFORTABLE AND ROOMY INTERIOR
The interior has the ‘driver focused’ design visible in nearly all BMW models. The central section of the instrument panel is angled slightly towards the driver. The gear selectors for the automatic gearbox, the Driving Experience Control switch and the activation button for the parking brake are all positioned on the surface of the centre console which opens out towards the driver.
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| Contrasting materials adorn the interior |
The standard Navigation System Professional and iDrive operating system come with 10.2-inch high definition display bordered by a galvanised chrome surround. Its interior offers individually tailored seats for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers. High-quality materials, carefully coordinated colours and meticulously sculpted surfaces combine to produce a setting defined by luxury.
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| rear seats fold to boost storage space at the back |
The front passenger area is bordered by a surface curving elegantly from the armrest over the side edge of the centre console, upwards and outwards into the instrument panel and then horizontally into the door trim. The black-panel instrument cluster of the Gran Coupe combines the traditional sports car circular instruments with state-of-the-art display technology.
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| Enough Legroom in the rear compared to the 6 series coupe |
The Navigation system, telephone and entertainment functions are operated using the iDrive control system. The on-board monitor takes the form of a freestanding display with a flat screen look. The instrument panel, door trim and centre console are finished in Nappa leather.
WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment system consists of the standard HiFi audio system with an HD Radio receiver, MP3-compatible CD drive, AUX-IN connection and a HiFi loudspeaker system with nine speakers. It also has an iPod and USB adapter. There is also a premium HiFi system that comes with 12 loudspeakers and a digital amplifier. However for a high end, high quality audio experience there is state of the art Bang & Olufsen High-End Surround Sound System designed especially for the 6-Series Gran Coupe. The system produces an exceptionally natural sound from 16 speakers distributed around the cabin.
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| Rear independent climate control system |
It is a fully active system featuring digital signal processing, which means the two bass speakers, seven mid-range speakers and seven tweeters all have individual amplifiers. This technology enables the targeted modification of any sound reflections inside the vehicle. The system uses Dirac Dimensions™ technology to recreate the acoustics of a reference listening room in the passenger compartment. All vehicle occupants therefore enjoy the same high-quality sound stage wherever they are sitting.
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| Comfortable cockpit |
The outstanding quality of the Bang & Olufsen High-End Surround Sound System is underlined by exclusive design features. The audio system incorporates B&O Acoustic Lens Technology element in the centre of the instrument panel.
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| Rear of the Gran Coupe |
This adds both a visual feature and acoustic innovation. As soon as the audio system is activated, the central element containing the integrated mid-range speaker pops up, prompting the tweeter lens to be extended at the same time. The tweeter lens distributes its signals evenly at 180 degrees throughout the interior.
OTHER TAILOR MADE EQUIPMENTS
There is and advance Head-Up Display. This projects important information onto the windshield, directly in the driver’s line of sight. The information is projected as three-dimensional graphics and in ultra-clear resolution onto the windshield.
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| Luxurious interior |
Full-colour capability makes the road sign symbols even more realistic. At the same time the Head-Up Display is now able to present a wider range of information. It can display information supplied by the Navigation system, Check Control messages, status messages from the Lane Departure Warning System and warnings from the Night Vision system. The brightness setting can be adjusted via the iDrive menu. The driver can also choose what information that will appear in the Head-Up Display.
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| State of the art Bang and Olufsen System |
There are also cameras at the rear, the top and the side. The rear camera is integrated in the trunk lid under the BMW “roundel” badge, which protects it from dirt. When the rear-view camera is activated, the roundel badge pivots up out of the way to expose the camera lens.
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| Name says it all |
The camera can display optimal steering angle for parking as well as the best cornering circle. The optional Top View system with Side View provides an even more comprehensive picture. In addition to the rear-view camera and the PDC sensors, this system also uses a fish-eye camera in each of the side mirrors.
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| BMW 6 Series Convertible |
The data acquired by Top View is relayed to a central computer which generates a bird’s eye view of both vehicle and surroundings and presents the image in the Central Display. This view allows the driver to manoeuvre precisely in confined spaces. The Side View function uses two cameras integrated in the front fenders to provide an improved view of cross-traffic at speeds below 17 km/h. These images are relayed to the Central Display where they may give the driver an early idea of what is happening on the road to the left and right of the car when pulling out from narrow and concealed gateways or car park exits.
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| BMW 6 Series Coupe |
Prices start at $ 76,895 (Kshs. 6.5 million) for the 640i Grand Coupe, $ 87,395 (Kshs. 7.4 million) for the 650i and $ 90,395 (Kshs. 7.6 million) for the 650i xDrive. All prices are exclusive of taxes. The BMW 6 series Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe are can be ordered from Bavarian Auto, a division of Simba Colt Limited