BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe

f the new F25 X3 was BMW's final purging of its dramatic growing pains and the F10 5 Series the first, timid steps into a new era, the Concept 6 Series Coupe is the first BMW in some time to feel totally comfortable in its own skin.

The conviction evident in its lack of superfluity will come as a relief to those who were concerned the brand was in danger of becoming a slightly unpredictable ship which, while far from rudderless, had a certain vagueness about its helm.

Watching the car rotate under the diffused light of its show turn table, its surface highlights and shadows moving flawlessly over its deeply lustrous coachwork, it's clear that BMW is now steering a steady course.

Its DRG marks the biggest thematic departure, particularly its softer, drawn-back lamp clusters, suspended in hollow recesses. We had major reservations about the car's face after viewing the initial press images, but in reality it takes on a much more natural and harmonious relationship with the rest of the car.

The delineation of the side surfaces, the refreshingly generous body-to-glass relationship and the drawn-back tail bestow it with a litheness reminiscent of earlier large BMW coupes, yet it remains firmly planted thanks to its broad rear stance.

Its interior is more closely related to it predecessor, with an evolved, more dynamic driver-centric IP. The most intriguing aspect is the passenger side dash top and the surface above the glovebox, which twist, tornado-style along the center stack and into the center console.

While the interior is ostensibly production-ready, the car's color and trim — mottled carmel and coffee saddle leather, suede headlining and exquisite detailing such as the steering wheel's metallic center marker – bestows it with a genuinely opulent grand touring cabin.

The Concept 6 Series Coupe is a beautifully — almost perfectly — executed addition to the BMW range (the 'concept' tag is fooling no one) and one that restores our faith in the brand's design competence. This is a car of great delight, very little surprise, yet it affirms the re-emergence of the company's confidence.