BMW has released the images and information on the Concept 6 Series Coupé, the luxury 2+2 seater that will be presented at the next Paris Motor Show and will preview a production model expected to debut at the 2011 Geneva Show.
Exterior Design
The interplay of linear and sculpted forms is inspired by the wave motion on the surface of a sea.
The proportions are defined by a low silhouette, short front overhang, long hood and a rear-positioned passenger cell.
Compared to the 6-Series previous model, this results in a less imposing look, despite the larger dimensions: 4.82 m in length, 1.82 m in width and 1.37 m in height.
The lower edge of the air intake is defined by a surface crease, visually matched by the thin fog lamps in the upper edge.
The hood surface features four lines which gradually converge at the front of the vehicle.
The profile features scuplted surfaces, with a distinctive horizontal character line that accentuates the elongated look and a lower line that rises up towards the front wheels, adding visual dynamism to the car.
Like the side, the rear end is dominated by horizontal surfaces, while the sporty character is underlined by the large shoulders.
Distinctive features of the concept model include the full-LED headlights - a first for BMW - with Adaptive Headlights. The LED rings for the daytime driving lights accentuate the characteristic BMW front-end styling.
Interior
The driver-centric interior design has fluent lines and smooth transitions that extend to the whole interior. The separation between the driver- and the passenger-side is visually underlined by the different use of colors and tones.
The latest-generation iDrive control system includes a freestanding 10.2- inch display and a a Head-Up Display that allows driver information such as status messages, warnings and navigation instructions to be projected directly onto the windscreen in the driver's line of sight.
The hi-fi system was designed by Danish specialists Bang & Olufsen specifically for the interior acoustics of the car.
Below we report a selection from the official press release.
From the official Press Release:
Exterior Design
The bodywork surfaces are defined by bold, precise lines, which divide the body into a mix of concave- and convex-contoured surfaces.
The counterpoint between lines and surfaces lends the car a natural, authentic aura of sportiness. This interplay is reminiscent of wave motion on the surface of an ocean, generated by the ebb and flow of wind and tides.
All the bodywork lines are continuous and uninterrupted throughout their entire length. They connect the front, side and rear sections of the vehicle to create a sculpted body shape that radiates harmony from every angle.
Front end
The wide, low-slung, road-hugging front-end stance of the BMW Concept 6 Series Coup is an accurate reflection of its sporting temperament.
The bonnet surfaces are defined by four lines which gradually converge at the front of the vehicle. The two inner lines follow a trajectory towards the BMW emblem, while the two outer lines terminate at the outer edge of the BMW kidney grille, which is wider at the top than at the bottom.
The BMW kidney grille marks the front extremity of the body, its slight forward rake imparting the first taste of sportiness to come. The effect is increased by the slight angle in the upper part of the kidney grille bars, which sport hardened glass inserts. This elaborate sculpting gives the hallmark kidney grille an extra- luxurious and avant-garde touch.
The headlights, which are set well back, and below them a bumper contour line that flows downwards and outwards, make the kidney grille appear even more dominant. The lower air intake runs the full width of the front end and is divided by horizontal chrome struts with an undulating surface. A crease defines the lower edge of the air intake and wraps round to the outer sides, where a slight curve draws attention to the wheels and thus to the sense of width. Sharply raked foglamps placed well to the outside of the bonnet, and powered by three adjacent LED light units, further accentuate the width and bold stance of the concept model.
All-LED lighting
The characteristic front-end appearance of the BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé is partly down to the typical BMW twin round headlights. The outward- pointing top part of the trapezoidal headlight housing guides the eye to the widely flared wheel arches. With this concept model, BMW is for the first time presenting all-LED headlights with Adaptive Headlight functionality. LEDs are used for all functions, from the dipped and main beam to the sidelights and daytime running lights, and the direction indicators. The LED accent lights which cut across the top of the twin round headlights create the hooded, intent look characteristic of BMW models.
The innovative lighting technology is accentuated by the upscale styling. One of the cylindrical headlights emerges slightly further than the other from the interior of the light unit, thereby preserving the twin round headlight look even when viewed from the side. The headlights, which are levelled off at their lower edge, are bisected by horizontal ribs containing the LEDs. The diodes produce a strikingly bright white light that provides particularly intensive road illumination. They also reduce dazzle and have a very low electricity consumption. A further feature is that the all-LED headlights are used for both the dipped and the main beam functions, while Adaptive Headlight functionality is incorporated as well. That means the headlights follow the road, swivelling in line with the steering angle and at a speed matched to that of the vehicle.
The sidelights and daytime driving lights take the form of LED rings, the lower edge of which is levelled off – a characteristic theme of this innovative lighting technology. Horizontal strips of six LEDs under the twin headlights are used for the direction indicators. Their lines match those of the similarly horizontally styled LED foglamps, which are located in the lower air intake.
Side view
The elegantly elongated silhouette of the BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé presents the familiar hallmarks of a sporty BMW 2+2-seater, comprising a long bonnet and wheelbase, a passenger compartment which is set well to the rear and a dynamically flowing roofline. The athletic character of the concept model is generated by sculpted surfaces whose powerful flowing and merging contours create an authentic sports feel.
The side view of the vehicle is defined by four striking lines. The shoulder line runs in a fluent sweep from the headlights to the front wheel arch and on through the waistline and C-pillar to the tail. The typical BMW swage line runs parallel to this. It starts in the gill high up in the front side panel and runs steadily upwards via the door handle to the rear lights. It accentuates the elongated look of the body and, in conjunction with the door sill line, creates a dynamic wedge shape. Below the swage line, a character line, which likewise starts in the side gill, follows a downward trajectory initially and then runs parallel to the door sill line and on into the tail.
The precise interplay of lines and surfaces is most apparent in the rear wheel arch area. The powerful bulge directly above the rear wheels reduces the prominence of the contour line in this area, giving a sense of natural forces harnessed in a consistent and unified body design.
The alloy wheels specially designed for the BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé again tie in closely with the sporty and exclusive character of this concept model. The 20-inch multispoke wheels are a one-off design milled from a solid aluminium block. The individual spokes have an elaborate three- dimensional design, with precisely defined contours and weight-reducing milled openings running parallel to the direction of travel.
Rear end
The rear styling is dominated by horizontal lines which, in conjunction with the wide track and wide wheel arch flares, accentuate the sense of width and the powerful stance of the BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé.
The shoulder areas protrude clearly in rear view, so that even from this angle there is no mistaking the athletic character of the vehicle. The slightly concave rear part of the boot lid, along with the bumper, the diffusor-style rear apron and all other elements of the rear end, are wide and low-slung. The visual centre of gravity is strikingly low and road-hugging – an effect that is generated mainly by a V- shaped line running from the sides of the boot lid down to the low-mounted numberplate surround.
The crease at the lower edge of the body wraps round from the sides of the Coupé into the rear and finishes in the tailpipe surrounds, which are set well to the outside and enclose matt-polished trapezoidal exhaust tips. The low-rise, horizontally mounted reflectors, which have been removed to the bumper, likewise underline the sense of width in rear view.
The typical BMW L-shaped rear light clusters of the BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé create a further visual link between the sides and the rear of the vehicle. They are split into two parts and extend into the boot lid. Inside the units, two LED light strips create the typical BMW night-time look. This effect is enhanced by the L-shaped lower light unit. The direction indicator, tail light and brake light are likewise LED-powered.
Interior
The BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé has a full glass roof which lets a great deal of light into the interior of the 2+2-seater, highlighting the generous interior ambience and the light-touch interior design. Carefully selected materials, coupled with meticulous craftsmanship and build quality, underscore the luxurious character of the concept model, which combines exceptional sportiness with an extremely exclusive driving experience.
In the interior, too, the tone is set by fluent lines and harmonious surfaces. In the vicinity of the driver and front passenger, the design of the instrument panel, centre console and door trim stresses bold, dynamic surfaces and sculpted transitions, giving a sense of exclusive safety and security. At the rear, two comfortable single seats offer lavish headroom, legroom and shoulder room, providing first-class comfort even on long journeys.
The surfaces are defined by gently flowing lines which run throughout the interior, creating an effect reminiscent of rippling wave motion and evoking the impression of forward-thrusting dynamism.
Driver-centric design, harmonious integration of the centre console and instrument panel. The BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé's cockpit also takes the familiar BMW driver-centric design to new levels, in keeping with the distinctively sporty character of this concept model. The centre section of the instrument panel, featuring the iDrive Control Display, the central air vents and the audio and climate controls, is inclined slightly but visibly towards the driver.
The electronic gear selector and the Drive Dynamic Control buttons are mounted on the driver's side of the front console. The front passenger side, meanwhile, which is slightly higher than the driver's side, sweeps up with a slight flourish into the upper part of the instrument panel. High-quality leather trim with double stitching in a contrasting colour accentuates the dynamic transition between the centre console and the instrument panel.
The forward-surging wave theme can also be seen in the contouring of the door panel trim, where the precise interplay between concave and convex surfaces produces a natural duality and tension. The window sill line extends in a gentle sweep into the instrument panel, guiding the eye towards the road.
Below this, the door panelling is intersected by a trim component which links the front part of the passenger compartment with the rear. It starts at the rear window sill, then continues forwards and initially downwards, narrowing as it approaches the door panelling, then rising slightly and becoming wider again in the front part of the vehicle. This creates an upward sweep running through the window sill and into the instrument panel.
On the driver's side of the cockpit the eye is drawn to the black-panel instrument cluster. The traditional-style circular dials are generated electronically, using advanced display technology. At rest, all displays are invisible, only springing to life when the engine is started. Black-panel technology is also used for the audio and climate displays on the centre console. A galvanised strip draws a horizontal dividing line across the cockpit below the instrument cluster and also marks the lower edge of the central air vents. This line is then carried over on the front passenger side into a crease on the glove compartment.
(Source: BMW)
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