Details emerge about BMW's new flagship sedan
Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the BMW CS Concept.
BMW will be joining the four-door "coupe" fray in 2010 when it launches its new flagship sedan, the Gran Turismo. Automotive News sat down with former M engineer, Gerhard Richter, who's been tasked with figuring out what design elements will be carried over from the CS Concept that debuted last year at the Shanghai auto show.
The Gran Turismo would slot in above the 7-series, being both longer and wider than BMW's largest sedan, and is likely to pack either a V8 or V12 powerplant. CSM Worldwide pegs production of around 15,000 units annually with a cost of around $150,000. That puts it in the same realm as Porsche's soon-to-be-released Panamera, Audi's rumored A7 and the Aston Martin Rapide, all of which will create a new class of high-priced, high-powered sedans that have yet to be proven in the marketplace.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jay Tea 10:02AM (1/22/2008)
"pegs production of around 15,000 units annually with a cost of around $150,000".
Is this a typo? Is there such a big market for a $150k car from one brand?
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lovice 10:24AM (1/22/2008)
This car should cost between $150000 and $200000.
Coz top spec 760Li sells for nearly $150k. And Merc's CL which is basically an S-Class coupe costs more than $150k.
So there should be a market for a $150000 plus BMW 7-Series coupe.
jgp 11:26AM (1/22/2008)
I'd imagine this competes with the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
SOhp101 2:45PM (1/22/2008)
Oh yes. Why do you think so many Continental GTs have been sold? Because no other brand has vehicle within that 150k-200k niche. Sure, CL63 and S63 are around those prices but they're not that much different from their cheaper trim levels.
Mike I 7:35PM (1/22/2008)
Uhmm... I'll take the Aston Martin or Bentley... Even the Porsche... But not a BMW for that price.
Leaf 10:04AM (1/22/2008)
Such an original name...
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broosewee 10:09AM (1/22/2008)
Isn't there already a Maserati Gran Turismo? How can this also pass with the same name?
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TheClassic 11:49AM (1/22/2008)
Gran Turismo is the *type* of car http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Turismo, not the name.
broosewee 1:33PM (1/22/2008)
Hmm, Yes and No...?
http://www.maseratigranturismo.com/
Mike 10:15AM (1/22/2008)
All that the Dodge Charger aspires to be.
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JJ 10:27AM (1/22/2008)
Didnt realize the Dodge charger wanted to be a 150k flagship luxury sedan.
I always figured it wanted to be aa go fast with a hemi-while carting the family around at the same time being affordable to the common citizen, sedan =)
Mike 10:33AM (1/22/2008)
That's right.... BMW just rounded the corners a little bit and slapped a propeller on the front.
got confused for a second there...
Andrew 12:43PM (1/22/2008)
Don't begin to act like BMW copied Dodge on styling cues.
Mike 1:12PM (1/22/2008)
I don't have to begin to act, this Concept CS blatently rips so many overt styling cues from the charger it is laughable.
Andrew 1:51PM (1/22/2008)
That claim is laughable, and the BMW is much more attractive.
elprogramer 4:47PM (1/22/2008)
Andy:
That's debatable. The body and the grille are very reminiscent of recent Dodge efforts.
Mr. Oak 10:30AM (1/22/2008)
This had better be badass. Judging on appearance alone, one word comes to mind. GROTESQUE.
No wait three words come to mind. Just finding it difficult at the moment to construct a single sentence with the words "grotesque" "gaudy" "gargoyle".
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Andrew 12:44PM (1/22/2008)
Funny, I think the same things when I see a Corvette.
elprogramer 4:44PM (1/22/2008)
^Because you have no taste.
Mke 7:33PM (1/22/2008)
I think the same thing, Mr. Oak.