Photo: S.Baldauf/SB-Medien
BMW has apparently decided to change the 5 Series GT into the 6 Series GT with the introduction of the new generation.
The move had the role to distance the Gran Turismo body style from the 5 Series range, while the 6 Series would then ditch the Gran Coupe version for the successor of the 5 Series GT.
Thanks to the change, the model that was once the ugly duckling of the range will get a boost in styling and sales, while the 5 Series lives on without any interference.
Evidently, the introduction of the Gran Turismo version of the 6 Series will probably cannibalize the 6 Series Gran Coupe. The latter was a four-door door coupe version of the 6 Series, which was great when the design was regarded, but did not sell as well as BMW desired.
The changes implemented in the range are supposed to turn the more successful 5 Series GT into a model that is more precisely placed between the 6 Series and the 7 Series. This model is expected to come to market next year as an MY2018 vehicle. The Coupe and Convertible body styles of the next 6 Series should follow.
However, with the described change, a question arises with the upcoming 8 Series, a model that is supposed to be launched in 2020, after the next 6 Series will conclude its production cycle.
BMW might expand the 8 Series offering from a Coupe to a GT or GC model. If this will happen, the upcoming 6 Series GT might be replaced in the range by the 8 Series’ four-door version.
Nonetheless, this presumed change would only occur after the supposed production version of the 8 Series will reach the market, which is still several years away.
Another possibility would involve keeping the 6 Series GT just below the 7 Series, while the 8 Series would get a Gran Coupe version, which will effectively become the spiritual successor of the 6 Series GC.
Unfortunately, we do not have any clear indications of this from BMW, so we just have to wait and see the next moves of the Bavarian automaker.
Thanks to the change, the model that was once the ugly duckling of the range will get a boost in styling and sales, while the 5 Series lives on without any interference.
Evidently, the introduction of the Gran Turismo version of the 6 Series will probably cannibalize the 6 Series Gran Coupe. The latter was a four-door door coupe version of the 6 Series, which was great when the design was regarded, but did not sell as well as BMW desired.
The changes implemented in the range are supposed to turn the more successful 5 Series GT into a model that is more precisely placed between the 6 Series and the 7 Series. This model is expected to come to market next year as an MY2018 vehicle. The Coupe and Convertible body styles of the next 6 Series should follow.
However, with the described change, a question arises with the upcoming 8 Series, a model that is supposed to be launched in 2020, after the next 6 Series will conclude its production cycle.
BMW might expand the 8 Series offering from a Coupe to a GT or GC model. If this will happen, the upcoming 6 Series GT might be replaced in the range by the 8 Series’ four-door version.
Nonetheless, this presumed change would only occur after the supposed production version of the 8 Series will reach the market, which is still several years away.
Another possibility would involve keeping the 6 Series GT just below the 7 Series, while the 8 Series would get a Gran Coupe version, which will effectively become the spiritual successor of the 6 Series GC.
Unfortunately, we do not have any clear indications of this from BMW, so we just have to wait and see the next moves of the Bavarian automaker.
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