BMW’S secret plan to
BMW’S 911 BMW’S 911
BMW is preparing a sports car rival for the all-conquering Porsche 911, Auto Express can reveal. The new car could launch before the end of the decade, and our exclusive images show how it might look.
The German brand is hatching a radical plan to realign its current 6 Series model as a smaller, more agile sports car – allowing space at the top of the range for the return of the 8 Series (see panel, opposite), which ceased production in the late nineties.
BMW has not contemplated a Porsche 911 rival before, but the arrival of Mercedes’ new AMG GT has changed that. As a result, the brand has earmarked the 6 Series as the car to fill that gap in its range.
A smaller 6 Series could be based on the shared sports car platform that BMW is working on with Toyota. It was previously believed the two firms would spin off different-sized vehicles from the chassis, with Toyota looking at a reinvented Supra and BMW eyeing up its next-generation Z4.
However, senior BMW and Toyota sources have already confirmed the new platform is scalable – and with the Z4 accounting for a tiny number of annual sales, there would be obvious benefits in economies of scale if BMW were to find a further use for the new set of chassis components.
It would probably result in a slightly larger vehicle than the Z4 – gaining around 20cm to take total length to 4.5 metres. That, incidentally, is about the same as the GT and 911. In turn, this would provide the small increase in under-bonnet capacity required to cope with bigger V8 petrol layout. Auto Express understands that the current proposal is for the 6 Series to become a sports car and convertible only, with no four-door Gran Coupé in the future. This model would live on as an 8 Series Gran Coupé – offered alongside the two-door coupé and a convertible.
BMW will be keen to push the plans through as quickly as possible to prevent Mercedes and Porsche running away with the market. With that considered, we could see a production-ready car before the end of the decade, with showroom sales beginning shortly after.
We would expect an entry-level 6 Series coupé to cost from around £75,000, with a 911 Turbo-rivalling M6 priced in excess of £100,000.
News ■ Stunning sports car expected to launch before end of decade
NEWS of BMW’S 911 fighter (left) would, in effect, leave a gap in the range for a big GT car. It’s expected to be filled by the return of the 8 Series badge on a large, luxurious grand tourer. It would likely be offered as a two-door coupé and convertible, as well as a four-door Gran Coupé.
This is a theory that the brand toyed with back in 2007 with the four-door CS Concept (above), which was canned due to the recession. Recent trademark applications with global intellectual property regulators reveal that BMW has reignited its plans, however. In March, it applied to strengthen its control of 8 Series names, including 825, 830, 835, 850, 845, 860 and M850.
A BMW insider has confirmed to Auto Express that the move was not merely a case of the company ringfencing the badges for possible future use, and that it reflects an imminent rejig of BMW’S GT line-up.
BMW has also applied to register M8, which would give it a rival for the Mercedes-amg S 63. It would likely use the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8, producing around 450bhp, allowing the 7 Series’ V12 to be used in high-designation ‘regular’ 8 Series models like the 850 and M860.
News “8 Series would be offered as coupé, convertible, as well as a Gran Coupé”
THE new Audi A5 has been revealed at an event at the brand’s Ingolstadt home in Germany, with the sporty two-door coupé now based on the fresh A4 saloon and Avant.
The A5’s grille is lower and wider than before, and creases that flow outwards above and below the headlights add muscle to the nose. A bonnet bulge combined with the wider air intakes and chrome detailing on the bumper creates a sportier look.
Current A5 owners will be familiar with the rest of the car, however, as it shares similar design cues. Designer Frank Lamberty told us the previous model was considered a “masterpiece”, and the challenge for the newcomer was to simply improve that with some more subtle tweaks. There are some new creases on the side, plus a wider-looking rear with slimmer LED lights.
The more powerful S5 model gets a rear diffuser, too, as well as the signature quad tailpipes. Up front is a new aluminium version of Audi’s turbo V6, which now produces 349bhp (21bhp more than before) and 500Nm of torque. That means it sprints from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds – two tenths faster than the outgoing model.
For the rest of the range, you can choose from three diesels and one other petrol, all tweaked for better efficiency. The petrol unit is a 2.0-litre TFSI with 188bhp, while you can go for a 2.0-litre or 3.0-litre TDI diesel. An Ultra variant is the greenest model.
Six-speed manual and seven-speed auto gearboxes are available with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder units, while the larger 3.0-litre diesel and petrol S5 can be bought with an eight-speed Tiptronic box. Both of the larger engines come with quattro all-wheel drive as standard, and there’s an optional rear differential and variable-ratio steering.
Audi has reduced the weight of the A5 by up to 60kg compared with the old model despite the slightly longer wheelbase. There’s slightly more space inside, and the boot is 10 litres bigger, too, at 465 litres.
The dashboard and seats are brought over from the A4, as is Audi’s digital Virtual
Subtly updated coupé unveiled ahead of launch in November