Over a week ago, we brought you a cover scan from a new issue of Germany’s Autobild showing an artist’s rendering of BMW’s proposed Mercedes CLS rival. At the time, we didn’t have a copy of the full article, and our best bet was the four-door-coupe would mark the revival of BMW’s 8-Series. There were even some ridiculous media reports suggesting the illustration depicted the forthcoming BMW X6 crossover. The latter, of course, is completely false. But it turns out this is no 8-series, either. While that idea was on the table, the car is actually the next-generation 6-Series, according to Autobild. Apparently, BMW is planning to offer the car in both two- and four-door variants.
The report indicates that there were three possible routes for the CLS fighter. The first was a coupe derived directly from the 7-series — a car that undoubtedly would have been called 8-series. The second option was a sports wagon of sorts based on the current 6-series. The third option — which as been selected by BMW — is to offer the next-generation 6-series in both two- and four-doors.
The new 6-Series coupe (F12) and Convertible (F13) will arrive in early 2011. The four-door version (F14) — whole silhouette will nearly match the standard coupe’s — will follow in September of that year.
BMW decided not to match Mercedes right away with a CLS competitor, and instead will wait for the next-generation CLS, which is also due in 2011. BMW plans to improve on the CLS concept by eliminating the b-pillar, and offering reverse-opening suicide doors instead of regular ones.
The next 6-series convertible may also get a folding metal roof, the report noted.
Autobild says its renderings (see Front View, Rear View) provide a good indication of where the 6er is headed.
07/03, 10:27 AM
posted by:
mbftw
Better than the current bangle butt, that looks like it rear ended something!
07/03, 10:31 AM
posted by:
Ed
In other words: “BMW plays catch up with Mercedes’ CLS sedan”. The 6 series was originally a coupe (a stunning one at that, which cannot be said of the current bloated design) when it debuted, why change that now for the sake of trying to keep up in the new “4 door coupe (?)” market the CLS is playing in? What’s going on at BMW these days?
07/03, 10:48 AM
posted by:
Ahmed
Suicide doors and a folding hardtop roof? Sounds like BMW is pulling out all the stops on the 6 series.
07/03, 10:54 AM
posted by:
Renton
It will be great.
07/03, 11:18 AM
posted by:
Jon’O
I find this whole four-door coup segment repugnant. There should only be two car segments. Coups/Conv. (two and four seat) and wagons (sport with a roof rack). Sedans are just compromises of the worst of both worlds. Worse handling and not much cargo space for the sacrifice. I think everyone who drives a sedan must be making soul selling compromises in other parts of their lives as well. So the four door coup just screams indecision, unprincipled, sucker. I hate SUVs but I’d buy an SUV before I bought a four door coup or a sedan for that mater. At least then I could do more with my vehicle than just take the kids to tennis lessons. PS: I don’t have kids.
07/03, 11:46 AM
posted by:
Anonymous
2011? By then, Hyundai will be making a four-door coupe.
07/03, 11:55 AM
posted by:
Niels
I’m tired of carmakers calling these things four-door coupes. It’s a total oxymoron they use to hide the fact that they can’t ocme out with a new segment of cars.
07/03, 12:34 PM
posted by:
Ed
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot??? 4 door coupes? 2 door sedans? 4 wheeled bicycles? I agree with Niels, this whole new flavor d’jour that they’re calling 4 door coupe is a load of crap. Just call it a sedan and be done with it. Oh yeah, thanks BMW for being a follower and not a leader, way to be revolutionary Mr. Bungle.
07/03, 1:48 PM
posted by:
Wickedated
Pure speculation. AutoBild is the tabloid of the automotive world. By 2011 we’ll have flying cars. =)
07/03, 1:51 PM
posted by:
Patience, folks
I think you guys are blowing this completely out of proportion. What about the RX-8? Mazda puts four doors (suicide at that) on its legendary sporting name plate and it turns out to be amazing in practice. You might want to hold your judgements until there’s actually a BMW on the market to criticize.
07/03, 2:52 PM
posted by:
JD
It’s “Bimmer”….just so you know.
If indeed this true, I don’t think it’s entirely a bad idea. Clearly there’s a market for it. Why not capitalize on that interest?
07/03, 3:54 PM
posted by:
Jon
Coupe is French for cut, i.e. a cut (low) roof. However, it has always been used for 2-door cars and should remain so. They should call it a cut sedan, or something of the like (in English) to show that it has a low-roofline and 4 doors.
Jon.
07/03, 4:11 PM
posted by:
Kmoney
#13, thats an interesting idea, but then again, isnt that the same as saying “chop top”? Chop top describes the actual cutting and lowering of a roof, used mostly in the hot rod world. That might confuse stupid people (like the ones who need to be told its “sedan, 4 door”). Plus, there really isnt any other good name for this segment. Its a sedan with a high beltline (CLS) which gives the impression of being a coupe. Hence the 4 door coupe name.
07/04, 2:04 AM
posted by:
dark lord sabitron of the 7 seas
damn, i was looking forward to an 8-series ressurection, wouldn’t they be able to charge more for it then? and they could base it on the 7-series which would mean V12power and competition for the continental GT and merc CL
07/04, 7:34 AM
posted by:
Renton
Just for the record —-
Bimmers are the cars.
Beemers are the bikes, and only the Boxer Twin models at that. Known as the R-bikes.
The older 4-cylinder models are the Bricks, or Flying Bricks. I don’t know if the new K-bikes carry the same name as they are a vastly diffent engine design.
(….Blah blah blah BMW geek talk)
07/08, 9:21 PM
posted by:
The Kat In The Hut
The rear doesn’t look too bad on the red car.