That was fast: BMW Concept Gran Coupe headed for production in 2012

BMW Concept Gran Coupe

Just this morning, BMW took the wraps off of its Concept Gran Coupe, a model that the company says hints at “a 4-door vehicle which combines the exclusivity of a Gran Turismo with the fascination of a high-performance sports car.”

According to BMW sources, the car is headed for production in 2012 and will be built on the same platform that underpins the 5-Series, 7-Series and the 5-Series Gran Turismo. The production model will be offered with the same mix of 6- and 8-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines as those models.

“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 said. “We”re convinced that we should make a car like this.”

The BMW Gran Coupe picks up where the Concept CS study left off in 2007. van Hooydonk said that BMW was always interested in a more dynamic flagship four-door back then but put things on hold until it worked on Project i’s Megacity electric-car. “Now we”ve had the opportunity to revisit the CS and update it, and I think everyone inside of BMW is pleased with the results,” he said.

As for BMW bringing back the 8-series badge, van Hooydonk said that it’s not his decision.

“I don”t think of this car as an 8-series, but our marketing department may think differently. Either way, their work is just beginning, and I know that often it can take longer than our design work!”

Click here to see our original post on the BMW Concept Gran Coupe.

BMW Concept Gran Coupe:

– By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar