2014 BMW 6 Series: What's Changed

• Most significant changes: The introduction of an M6 Gran Coupe; optional six-speed manual, carbon ceramic brakes and all-wheel drive on all non-M6 models
• Price change: TBA
• On sale: Early June
• Which should you buy, 2013 or 2014? An expanded lineup, revised multimedia system and available all-wheel drive make the 2014 model pretty appealing.

With the 2014 model year comes the introduction of the M6 Gran Coupe along with a roster of new and expanded options for the returning members of BMW's 6 Series lineup. Set to launch June 5, the new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive M6 Gran Coupe, which debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, will join 2014 versions of the 640i and 650i Gran Coupe, as well as 640i, 650i and M6 coupe and convertible models.

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe: Photo Gallery

BMW's 6 Series Gran Coupe is one of the luxury brand's most striking sedans with its coupe-like styling and sleek profile. The Gran Coupe is enhanced visually as well as under the hood with the newly introduced high-performance 560-horsepower M6 Gran Coupe for 2014. 

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The M6 Gran Coupe features an unpainted, exposed carbon fiber roof to reduced weight, 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels and massive brake rotors. Check out those features and more in the photos below.

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show

• Competes with: Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG and E63 AMG, Audi RS7
• Looks like: BMW's baddest four-door gets the M treatment
• Drivetrain: 560-hp, twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Early summer

BMW's sleek, four-door Gran Sport coupe receives a dose of high performance from BMW's M division for 2014. Like the BMW M5 and M5 coupe/convertible, the M6 is powered by an ultra-potent 560-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. There's no manual option like the M5. The engine marks an increase of 115 hp over the non-M BMW 650i Gran Coupe and its less powerful twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8.

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The extra potency results in an expected zero to 60 mph time of 4.1 seconds. The M6 Gran Coupe channels the engine's power through a dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and multiple driving modes. A launch control feature is available when the M6 Gran Coupe transmission is in its sportiest setting to allow quick starts from a standstill.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 BMW 650 Gran Coupe

Love at first sight is a tricky proposition: Others might treat you better, but this one's just so darn pretty. Such is the risk of handing your heart too hastily to the comely 2013 BMW 650 Gran Coupe. It looks like a great catch, but it handles more like the boat you were fishing on, Cars.com reviewer David Thomas says. Despite stunning looks, generous space, comfortable interior and abundant tech, the Gran Coupe's somewhat-oafish handling and delayed acceleration from a full stop make it hard to justify this pricey sport sedan over roomier, better-performing fish in the luxury sea.

2013 BMW 650 Gran Coupe Review

2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe: Car Seat Check

The 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is a head-turner with its matte finish exterior and striking white leather interior. The fun continues under the hood: the swoopy four-door coupe's 445-horsepower, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine offers pin-you-in-your-seat excitement. Putting two child safety seats in the back of the Gran Coupe was less than fun, however.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

2013 BMW 6 Series Coupe and Convertible: What's Changed

• Most significant changes: The 6 Series gets even faster with a more powerful V-8 
• Price change: $895 increase for 640i; $2,500 increase for 650i 
• On sale: Late summer 
• Which should you buy, 2012 or 2013? If 400 hp isn't enough for you, wait for a 2013

For the 2013 model year, the powerful and expensive 6 Series gets a little more juice under the hood and only a slight price increase.

The 2013 6 Series is available as a coupe and a convertible in 640i, 650i and 650i xDrive trims. The four-door 640 Gran Coupe and 650 Gran Coupe are new for 2013 and go on sale later this summer.

Like the 2013 7 Series (750i and 750 Li), the 650i coupe and convertible get a new 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8, which features an updated Valvetronic system. Power has increased by 45 horsepower, up to 445 hp and 480 pounds-feet of torque (an increase of about 30 pounds-feet). All powertrains now have an automatic start/stop system, a feature we've found intrusive on other BMW models. Like the 2013 750i, you should expect fuel economy to increase 20% to 25% on the 650i; the current one gets 15/23/18 mpg city/highway/combined with an automatic transmission.

BMW Unveilings in New York Include M6, X1 Crossover

Five new or updated BMW vehicles will be unveiled at the 2012 New York International Auto Show next month. Making their world debuts are the M6 convertible and X1 compact crossover. The X6 M and M6 coupe will make their North American debut, and they will share the stage with the 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, which was unveiled earlier this month at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida.

The high-performance M versions of the 6 Series coupe and convertible return to the lineup after a two-year break. Power for the duo comes from a 560-horsepower, twin-turbo V-8 paired with a seven-speed double-clutch transmission.

The X1 will slot below the X3 in BMW's lineup and will go on sale in the U.S. this summer. It will use a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Updated for model-year 2013 is the X6 M, bringing it in line with the updates the regular M got for 2013.

We'll have more info next month at the 2012 New York International Auto Show.

BMW Prices 2013 6 Series Gran Coupe at $76,000

BMW is releasing more information about the 2013 6 Series Gran Coupe ahead of its U.S. debut at the 2012 New York International Auto Show in April. We now know the new sedan will have a base price of $76,000, excluding an $895 destination charge, when it goes on sale this summer.

The all-new vehicle is a sedan with a sleek, coupe-like profile, and it's BMW's answer to the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and Audi A7. It's based on the 6 Series coupe but is 4.4 inches longer and, according to BMW, can seat five passengers comfortably.  

The base price is for the 640i version, which is powered by a 315-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. Other versions will be offered: The 650i and 650i xDrive will be equipped with a 445-hp, twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 and all-wheel drive in xDrive trim.

Both engines will feature BMW's EfficientDynamics system, which uses regenerative braking and an auto start-stop functionality to save fuel. The 2012 640i is rated at 21/31 mpg city/highway; no word on fuel-economy estimates for the Gran Coupe.

Pricing for the V-8 models has not yet been announced.

2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe: First Look

• Competes with: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, Audi A7 
• Looks like: A more animated 5 Series ... with a 7 Series price tag 
• Drivetrain: 315-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder; 445-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8; eight-speed automatic transmission; rear- or all-wheel drive 
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2012 

This may come as a surprise, but BMW’s seemingly endless line of different models doesn’t yet include a four-door coupe. After two generations of eye-catching designs in the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the introduction of the Audi A7 to much critical acclaim, BMW has decided that it needs to compete in this relatively new realm of low-roofed, highly stylized sedans. Like its namesake suggests, the 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is the elongated cousin of the recently redesigned 6 Series coupe.

The four-door 6 Series Gran Coupe is 4.4 inches longer than the standard two-door coupe with a 4.5-inch longer wheelbase. A significant amount of the extra volume goes to the rear passengers: BMW says the Gran Coupe can fit up to five passengers, but it adds that four adults can be carried “in comfort and luxury.” The four-door coupe offers that same generous 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space that the two-door has.