BMW ponders a flagship coupe
Although it’s still being billed as a concept car, the Gran Lusso would be the perfect candidate to lead a revival of the 8-series
That’s quite an elegant-looking Beemer . . .
Ah! That’s probably down to the fact that the Gran Lusso was designed in conjunction with Pininfarina, the celebrated Italian design house.
However, this stylish 2+2 coupe still retains many hallmarks of BMW design; the kidney-shaped grille, for instance. And take careful note of those air vents that have been incorporated into the front bumper — that’s a new feature that’s also slated to appear in future models like the imminent 4-series coupe and X4 crossover. While it is still being touted as a concept, the Gran Lusso made its world debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 in Italy over the weekend.
Will BMW revive the 8-series badge for it?
Potentially, it could. BMW freely admits that the Gran Lusso has been designed to take V12 power, meaning that a modernday 8-series could be using the mechanics of today’s 760i flagship saloon.
The 760i uses a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 producing 544hp. With such an application, the Gran Lusso could be taking on rivals like the Bentley Continental GT and Mercedes-Benz’s ageing CL-class, both of which have eight- and 12-cylinder powerplants to choose from.
The E31-coded 8-series of the 1990s used a V8 engine in 840i guise and a V12 motor in 850i format.
Do you think this concept car will actually go into production?
There are two good reasons why BMW should make this its flagship coupe.
First, archrival Mercedes unveiled the all-new S-class in Germany earlier this month and it is now common knowledge that a coupe version of it will appear at some later point to replace the CL-class in both CL500 and CL600 trim.
Second, the current 7-series has passed its mid-life stage and that gives BMW a chance to make good use of the technical underpinnings in another model. But, regardless of the above, BMW continues to insist that the Gran Lusso is a mere styling exercise.
And what’s with that motorcycle?
Oh, that’s the Concept Ninety which was also unveiled at that car festival in Italy.
The reason for this two-wheeler’s appearance is twofold: to celebrate the fact that BMW has now been in the business of making motorbikes for 90 years; and to mark the 40th anniversary of the iconic R90S.
Yeah, we know what you’re thinking! There’s a niche for cafe racer-style motorbikes, especially if you look at Ducati’s range of retro-styled SportClassics, like the Sport1000S which came out more than five years ago.
In fact, we are strongly of the opinion that BMW should go ahead and build both the Gran Lusso and the Concept Ninety!