autoX - founded autoX in 2006 with little clue of what lay ahead. Driven by a passion for anything on four wheels and a stubborn will to succeed, he moulded a team as pig-headed

Mercedes-Benz pulled off a bit of a coup when it launched the extended-wheelbase E-Class in India earlier this year, but it seems that this comfort and class battle is just warming up. BMW recently launched the brand new 5 Series, and is quickly following it up with this – the new 6 GT.

In the world of four-door coupes, where choices are limited, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe stood out for its sinuous lines and low-slung coupe design – which gave it a special charm and individuality that also helped create a segment of its own. There was an elegant open-top version too. But now the boffins at BMW have come up with a fresh take in the form of the 6 GT – a more elegant and plusher alternative to the ungainly 5 GT.

GT lines 
The 6 GT seems to have been born out of the need for BMW to stay in the game, because large GTs are still in vogue – even in India. But, while the practicality of a hatch-style boot has its appeal, today’s younger luxury car buyers also seek a design aesthetic that matches their outlook. And the 6 GT manages to bring this mix of attributes to the category. Its design is pretty true to classic GT roots, with a sharply rising windscreen that elegantly slopes towards the rear roofline and ends in a stubby boot. But, at over five metres in length, its proportions instantly strike you. In fact, the 6 GT is built on the same platform that’s shared between the new BMW 5 and 7 Series luxury sedans.

&nbsp;So, the 6 GT is a fairly large car that bears a clear resemblance to the current 6 Series Gran Coupe’s design. Its four full-size doors will certainly be appreciated by Indian buyers, as will the easy access to the cabin with its relatively tall stance provides. Better still, the standard air suspension will allow the 6 GT to be raised by another 20mm up to speeds of 40km/h. This will help greatly on our roads.

When you view the new 6 GT, it does look as though it’ll be a heavy car. But BMW officials who were present during the test drive in Lisbon said that the new model is 150kgs lighter than its predecessor. A part of this saving has come from the increased use of aluminium and high strength steel in the body. The elimination of the split tailgate further added to the weight savings.

Upgraded luxury 
Step into the 6 GT and the cabin immediately feels luxurious, with a combination of materials. The layout of the driver-oriented cockpit is very familiar. Though several elements feel familiar, they have been clothed in newer, upgraded materials – like the matt, open pore wood inserts. The leather-clad seats in the 640i we were driving were huge, extremely comfy and offered a number of adjustments for finding the right position. But, the driver’s seat, even at the lowest position, did seem to be set higher than in the 5 GT. That said, there’s a lot of shoulder and legroom – plus, headroom at the rear is more than adequate despite the sloping roofline.

Hexagonal design elements dominate the dashboard and central console. The dark brown and beige colour theme works well to elevate the cabin. There are a lot of new features and high-tech systems that have percolated down to the 6 GT from the BMW flagship, the current 7 Series. The 640i gets digital instruments, an 8-inch touchscreen centre-mounted infotainment system that now offers gesture controls, and a Bowers &amp; Wilkins entertainment system. There’s also a lot of other tech on offer in the 6 GT, such as surround view cameras, auto lane keeping assistance and remote parking.

<img alt="BMW 6 GT xDrive Interior" src="/uploads/2017/11/BMW-6-Series-Gran-Turismo-640i-xDrive-Interior1.jpg" /> 
&nbsp; 
Six-cylinder magic 
During this test drive, the only 6 GT variant on offer was the 640i M-Sport. This is one of the engines being offered in the new 5 Series currently available in India. And if BMW wanted to impress motoring journalists from around the world who landed in Portugal to try out the new 6 GT, they certainly had the right drivetrain 
on offer.

This M-Sport 6 GT features a 6-cylinder petrol engine that generates 335bhp of peak power and 450Nm of torque. This is one refined, buttery smooth mill, which is so quiet that passengers will be isolated from much of the buzz under the bonnet. The engine is paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, and does the 0-100km/h run in a claimed 5.3 seconds.

<img alt="BMW 6 GT Engine" src="/uploads/2017/11/BMW-6-Series-Gran-Turismo-640i-xDrive-Engine1.jpg" />

Power delivery in the 640i is linear, and there’s a lot of torque available on demand – with a strong mid-range. Tapping the throttle with the needle positioned anywhere within the 1,000rpm to 7,000rpm range propels the 640i forward with great urgency. In Sport mode, the 6 GT is even more agile, with the 8-speed ‘box holding gears longer and doing quick double downshifts when needed. The big change in the new 6 GT is in the areas of suspension and steering. This new GT is so pliant that it’s almost wallowy. It almost feels like the suspension tuners from Rolls-Royce crossed over by mistake and got their hands on this Beemer. In Comfort Plus mode, the 6 GT feels like a boat gliding over potholes and bad roads, without a hint of that disturbance coming into the cabin. The steering is also lighter, though not lacking in precision. The suspension and steering feel get a little firmer in Comfort, and the closest it gets to that familiar, rigid BMW suspension and heavy steering feel is only in Sport mode.

<img alt="BMW 6 GT Back Three Quarter Motion" src="/uploads/2017/11/BMW-6-Series-Gran-Turismo-640i-xDrive-Back-Three-Quarter-Motion1.jpg" /> 
&nbsp; 
A welcome alternative 
The 6 GT’s changes will be a welcome change from an Indian buyer’s perspective. Most Indian customers will welcome the softer suspension and the lighter steering at slow speeds – especially after the much firmer suspension setups that we’ve seen in BMW’s previous models. Overall, the 6 GT seems to have Asian customers firmly in its crosshairs, with taller than average seating, features to keep rear seat passengers occupied, a pliant ride quality and easy handling in city driving conditions. Compared to the 5 GT, this will also come loaded with a healthy equipment list to take on competitors like the extended-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The comfort and class battle, it seems, is just heating up.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<table cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%; font-size:14px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="font-size:14px;">Pros 
			• Impeccable ride comfort 
			• Plush and luxurious cabin</td>
			<td style="font-size:14px;">Cons 
			• Looks that won’t appeal to everyone</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

[tabs]

[tab title="BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo 640i xDrive"]

Engine: 2,998cc / 6-Cylinders /24 Valves/ Turbocharged

Fuel: Petrol

Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic / All-Wheel Drive

Power: 335bhp @ 5,500-6,500rpm

Torque: 450Nm @ 1,380-5,200rpm

X-factor: With a unique combination of luxury, space and practicality, the new 6 GT could prove to be the dark horse in the luxury sedan battle.

[/tab]

[/tabs]

BMW 6 GT Review, First Drive

With the BMW 6-Series GT, the Bavarian carmaker has the Mercedes Benz E-Class LWB in its crosshairs. But with polarising looks, is this the BMW you would prefer? Here's what we think.

Here’s a detailed look at the next big thing for BMW in India – a medium capacity motorcycle aimed at the masses. Finally, here are BMW Motorrad’s plans for India.

After endless rounds of speculation, BMW Motorrad has finally revealed its plans for India, including a possible launch schedule for the G 310 R and G 310 GS, which are manufactured by TVS Motors in India. In the lead up to the debut of this 313cc bike manufactured on a separate line at TVS’ Hosur plant, BMW Motorrad will have an initial line-up of 11 imported bikes on sale for Indian buyers. These will include models from its adventure, sports and heritage series. The German brand will also expand its reach in India by then, as it sets up six more dealerships by end-2018 – in addition to the four already in operation this year.

According to company officials, the G 310 R and the G 310 GS will hit showrooms by the second half of 2018. The plan is to strengthen the dealer and service network, and overall presence of the brand in the country before rolling out the motorcycles. The company’s plans also include increasing local sourcing of components to lower the cost of production. TVS’s dedicated assembly line at its Hosur plant is already manufacturing the G 310 R and G 310 GS for international markets. And while the G 310 R has already been launched and is being sold in markets like the US and in Europe, the G 310 GS will soon follow.

Made in India 
The first locally made BMW bike to make it to showrooms in India will be the G 310 R, and it has many firsts to its credit. It’s the first modern BMW Motorrad motorcycle under the 500cc engine category. It’s also the first BMW motorcycle to be manufactured entirely outside Europe. The intent behind the creation of the G 310 R was to help BMW Motorrad break into new markets where a sub-500cc engine was a key requirement. BMW officials also strongly stress that the motorcycle will still meet the stringent quality and performance standards of the German brand.

The G 310 R is a naked, street bike, and the G 310 GS will be an adventure bike based on the same platform. The G 310 R’s design and construction is meant to allow both relatively short and tall riders to sit comfortably and find a fairly upright riding posture. The bike’s wet weight (fuel, oil and coolant filled) is expected to hover around the 159kg mark. So, handling and manoeuvrability in city riding conditions should be relatively easy.

Though the India-spec version of the G 310 is yet to be fully disclosed, it’s expected to closely mirror the European-spec bikes. The G 310 R has typical roadster proportions and looks quite sporty. The bike’s 313cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine produces 33.6bhp and 28Nm of torque. The engine’s tilt to the rear and the 180-degrees rotated cylinder head also helps lower the centre of gravity for better balance. The low-set aluminium swing arm helps improve stability despite the compact wheelbase of the G 310 R. Additional details on the India-specific G 310 R should be available at the Auto Expo 2018 in February. In the interim, to improve their visibility and brand recognition in India, BMW Motorrad will be participating at the India Bike Week festival being held during the last weekend of November in Goa.&nbsp;

<img alt="BMW G 310 R" src="/uploads/2017/11/BMW-G-310-R.jpg" />

BMW Motorrad's big plans for India

Here’s a detailed look at the next big thing for BMW in India – a medium capacity motorcycle aimed at the masses. Finally, here are BMW Motorrad’s plans for India.

Muralidhar Swaminathan

Articles By Muralidhar Swaminathan

BMW 6 GT Review, First Drive

BMW Motorrad's big plans for India

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