BMW Series 6 Gran Coupe, road test (Equipment, price, verdict)

After a week getting to know our protagonist, today we conclude this road test of the BMW Series 6 Gran Coupe. In the first part of the test we discussed the engine, in this case a 320 CV petrol unit, and we also reviewed its performance and fuel consumption.

In the second part it was the turn of the design, a very important aspect of the BMW Series 6, with an imposing exterior and a luxurious interior that really catches the eye. And in the third part of the test we cover the equipment, prices and our overall verdict on the model.

Equipment

Within the equipment we start by reviewing the safety features, that is, all those elements fitted as standard on a Series 6 Gran Coupe. Notable are the multiple airbags (front, front side and front and rear curtain airbags), ABS, stability control, brake assist, cornering brake control, ISOFIX anchorages on the rear seats or the active front head restraints, among other elements.

Now that we know the safety specification, let’s talk about the standard equipment, that is, what comes as standard if you buy a BMW Series 6 Gran Coupe. That specification includes: air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, parking sensors, a 9-speaker HiFi sound system, an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and Bluetooth, among other elements.

And finally, although perhaps the longest section, we have to review the long list of optional extras our test unit came with. As a good premium car, if you pay you can have practically anything, and as an example we have the night vision camera that detects pedestrians by their heat signature (a rare feature in a vehicle).

Starting with that long list of extras are the LED lights, all lighting functions are done with LEDs, a true technological marvel, and the lights were also adaptive. It is an expensive extra (2,712 euros) but worth it for the excellent illumination it provides.

Another optional element was the entertainment system, which combined the navigation system with an excellent Bang & Olufsen sound system that turned the Series 6 into a discotheque or concert hall on wheels. In total there are 1,200 watts provided by 16 speakers and surround sound that can be yours for the 6,104 euros the speaker system costs. The entertainment system is complete in its functions, from voice recognition to Bluetooth or USB connectivity so we can connect our music from the phone or from a USB stick, plus it includes its own hard drive.

In terms of driver assistance, it had the latest in this field. Adaptive cruise control was not missing (which brakes if the car in front of us brakes), along with the collision warning system (linked to the previous one, it detects if we are approaching a car and there is a risk of collision, and pre-charges the brakes, either stopping the car or mitigating the impact). Also available was blind spot warning, lane departure warning, and a head-up display that shows relevant speed, navigation and guidance information on the windscreen.

Although if there is one extra where the Series 6 Gran Coupe stands out, it is in the camera equipment, six cameras in total across the car. Let’s see: first there are two front cameras that help us pull out of a junction with poor visibility safely. Then there is the reversing camera, a good ally in car parks (although the car also parks itself, that is, it steers completely on its own), and two more cameras under the mirrors to keep everything under control when parking. The cherry on top is the night vision camera, which detects heat and thus offers greater safety on poorly lit roads where pedestrians or animals may appear (it detects both).

Do we really need so many cameras? Well, it depends on the buyer. The equipment is standard for the segment, but the night vision one is a real advance and can help us a lot if we regularly drive through poorly lit areas where people or animals may appear on the verge.

Price

With all these extras we have described, surely more than one reader is wondering how much this exclusive saloon costs. The answer is simple: it depends on the city, but you could buy a flat for what it costs.

It starts at 90,050 euros, but with extras added the final price climbs to close to 127,000 euros. Mind you, you do get a totally exclusive car with up-to-the-minute equipment, where no detail is missing.

Overall verdict

If you have followed all three parts of the BMW Series 6 Gran Coupe test you already know the car, but our opinion is still missing. In the mechanical section we liked the petrol engine, because it is performance-oriented, responds in keeping with the car, and they have also done a very good job of reducing consumption.

That said, let no one be mistaken, it is a saloon, so anyone looking for a hardcore sports car should not look here. It is a saloon designed to enjoy the road (never truer, as the slogan of BMW puts it), and when we need power, just press the pedal and we will be certain that the 320 CV will respond without problems.

In terms of design, nobody denies it is exclusive, but the space it offers occupants is very limited by the design. A BMW Series 7 offers more room in the rear seats, and the coupé styling takes its toll on headroom, so this four-door coupé is not a good buy if you are tall either.

Finally, in terms of equipment, it surprised us, because it has extras in keeping with the exclusivity and the high final price. That said, the standard equipment should be more complete, since such a large sum is already being paid, and items such as tyre pressure monitoring or keyless entry and start are not standard.

And to close the test, we recommend that you do not miss a single detail of the extensive gallery that accompanies this test.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira