MUNICH: Despite the Dieselgate scandal, BMW isn't giving up on diesel. In fact, it is upbeat about the future of diesel engines and is introducing a four-cylinder diesel mill in the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo from July.
The idea is for the model to have a variant that provides for a particularly efficient form of driving pleasure, and designed for long-distance ride comfort and versatile functionality.
The 2.0-litre diesel engine will feature turbocharging with variable turbine geometry and Common Rail direct injection for sporty power delivery and a high degree of efficiency. Maximum torque of 400Nm is available between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm, with maximum power output of 190hp being achieved at 4,000 rpm.
The 620d Gran Turismo sprints from 0 to 100kph in 7.9 seconds. It touts a combined fuel consumption of 4.9 to 4.8 litres per 100km and a CO2 emission level of 129 to 127 grams/km. The new entry-level diesel transfers power with a standard 8-speed Steptronic transmission.
The diesel powerplant will mean the 6 Series Gran Turismo will soon have a choice of five engines.
All suspension systems available for the 6 Series Gran Turismo are also optionally available for the new model variants, including Adaptive Two-Axle Air Suspension, Integral Active Steering and the Executive Drive system with Active Roll Stabilisation.
In a related development, the 6 Series Gran Turismo was picked by the world's auto construction experts as the winner of the EuroCar Body Award 2017.
After the i8 (2014) and the 7 Series (2015), it was the third time one of the company's models won the award, which was first introduced in 2002. The jury of the world's leading award for innovation in body construction were particularly impressed by the efficient development and production concept used as well as the customer benefits provided by the body.
A total of 550 body experts attended the 19th EuroCar Body event in Bad Nauheim, Hesse, 437km north-west of here.
Introduced worldwide at the end of 2017, the 6 Series Gran Turismo perfects the vehicle concept initiated by the 5 Series Gran Turismo, combining the travel comfort of a luxury class sedan with the aesthetic appeal of a coupé, while also offering a high degree of functionality.
Intelligent lightweight construction and the increased use of aluminium and high-strength steel types for the body and chassis components helped reduce the weight of the new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo by an average of approximately 150 kilograms as compared to the predecessor model. 44 kilograms of this were due to the body alone. The result is also much improved aerodynamic properties.
The jury members especially emphasised the design solutions developed by BMW for the rear: "Based on a large, single-section pressure die-cast aluminium tailgate frame and an innovative rear design which does without a water drainage channel, it was possible to achieve a very large, convenient rear opening with a maximum view through the rear window – combined with a luggage compartment volume increased by 110 litres as compared to the predecessor model" – as was stated in the rationale for the EuroCar Body Award.
