Less than a week after its Beijing show introduction, the BMW Concept Gran Coupe is reportedly heading for production. The sleek four-door coupe will likely takeover as BMW’s flagship sedan, reviving the 8-Series nameplate.
Giving BWM an answer to vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Porsche Panamera and Audi A7, the Concept Gran Coupe appears to be heading for production. “It’s true that the Gran Coupe points to a specific model, a saloon with the presence and elegance of a 7-series but a more dynamic, sporty character: much more of a driver’s car,” BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk told Autocar. “We’re convinced that we should make a car like this.”
Although earlier rumors suggested the Gran Coupe could make production as the 6-Series sedan, Hooydonk indicated the four-door coupe will revive the 8-Series nameplate. “I don’t think of this car as an 8-Series, but our marketing department may think differently,” Hooydonk said. Although the Gran Coupe’s roofline is nearly 4 inches lower than the 7-Series, it’s actually wider than BMW’s current flagship.
Whatever the name, the production version of the Gran Coupe will ride on the same architecture as BMW’s 5-Series and 7-Series models, with engine offerings to match. Expect to see the Gran Coupe in BMW showrooms in 2012.
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