BMW's 6-Series nameplate will no longer be offered in the
United States after 2019, the automaker confirmed a week ago as part of its
2020 model year announcements.
The move is hardly surprising considering the confusing
current lineup that consists of the older 6-Series Gran Coupe sedan and more
modern—but unrelated—6-Series
Gran Turismo.
The 6-Series Gran Coupe is being replaced by the 2020
8-Series Gran Coupe, just as the former 6-Series coupe and 6-Series
Convertible have made way for their own respective 8-Series replacements.
The 6-Series GT doesn't have a direct replacement. It was
introduced for 2018 and has failed to ignite the market, with sales reaching
only a few thousand units in the U.S. last year. It will still be available
elsewhere but its fate in the longer term is unknown. The smaller 3-Series GT
has already
been axed and there's a good chance the 6-Series GT will too after its
current life cycle.
The 2020 model year will also see powertrain tweaks for the
5-Series to be introduced this fall. As
reported in May, the sporty M550i's 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 has been
substantially revised. It now delivers 530 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of
torque, up from 456 hp and 480 lb-ft previously.
And the 530e
plug-in hybrid has received a new battery with more range. Its
capacity has been bumped up to 12 kilowatt-hours from 9.2, without the physical
size being changed. An EPA-rated electric range hasn't been confirmed but for
reference, the 9.2-kwh battery is rated at 16 miles.
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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