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Car and Driver releases their own review of the 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. They generally liked the vehicle but also bring forward a number of criticisms. Read more on this excerpt below:
Focus on the Familiar
As in other 6-series models, the Gran Coupe’s cockpit is beautifully executed. The front and outboard rear seats offer a satisfying level of lateral support, even for larger people. Finding a proper driving position is a snap. Rear-seat room is merely okay, however, considering that the Gran Coupe is only three inches shy of a short-wheelbase 7-series in overall length. It won’t be an issue unless you sit behind a particularly gangly front occupant, however, so there’s no need to fear being stuffed in the back for a few hundred miles.
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Where Once There Was One . . .
Our initial exposure to the 6 Gran Coupe leaves us with a positive vibe—it looks fantastic and is very tastefully executed—but there are alternatives. BMW likes to consider the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Porsche Panamera, and the Aston Martin Rapide as competitors, although we’d say the A7 and Jaguar’s XF and XJ are more akin to this new 6-series than the Aston in particular.
Of course, there also is BMW’s own 5-series should you want essentially the same car minus the sultry sheetmetal. It comes down to taste—and price. The 535i and 550i are down on output compared to their six- and eight-cylinder Gran Coupe counterparts, but the former starts under 54 grand, while the latter begins at $62,895. The 2013 640i Gran Coupe commands $76,895; against the 640i coupe and 740i, which also use the 315-horse version of the six, that’s a premium of roughly $2400 and $5000, respectively. An additional $10,500 is required for the twin-turbo V-8 650i, while xDrive adds three grand beyond that. Looks are rarely cheap.
