BMW will launch the new M6 Gran Coupe in India in the first week of April. Here's what it's like from behind the wheel

In order to fully understand what to expect out of the 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe we shall first delve into the history books and take a look at its lineage. In 1983 BMW took a modified version of the M1 engine; put it in the E24 chassis of the 6 Series giving birth to the first M6 – the M635CSi. The M6 was on the money right from the word go. It was critically acclaimed for its aggressive ‘shark nose’ styling, its luxury and of course its performance. The perfect amalgamation of immaculate breeding, faultless manners and eager energy was what gave the M6 a well rounded persona that was universally appreciated. Over three decades into the future, BMW brings in the M6 Gran Coupe which is a four-door version of the M6, which is in fact a coupe version of the M5 sedan and for a car that comes from such a rich ancestry, it surely has pretty large shoes to fill. Will it be able to live up to the benchmark set by its ancestry is the question that we are trying to find the answer to. 

On the outside, the M6 Gran Coupe bears close resemblance with the 6 Series Coupe’s design, needless to say with the large air intakes, the adaptive LED headlights and the M kidney grille design giving it a more aggressive stance. The sharp shoulder lines, the swooping roofline, the long wheelbase and the flared wheel arches accentuate the curvaceous silhouette of the car. At the back the L-shaped taillights, the quad-tipped carbon fibre exhausts, the LED brake lights at the end of the roof and of course the M6 badge on the boot lid makes sure that the rear looks complete, clean and classy. The short 1393mm height guarantees that the carbon fibre roof will not go unnoticed. 

If the roof makes its statement, the Alcantara leather headliner doesn’t fall too far behind in giving the interiors a touch of class. The chunky new M steering wheel is good to grip and sports two memory buttons that store and recall two of your favourite gearbox, steering and suspension setups instantly. Despite being all back one doesn’t feel the need for another colour on the dashboard thanks to the fine touches of carbon fibre around the centre console and the driver side AC vent. Having said that, we wish that aside from the overall sporty look and feel there was something more to state that it is an ‘M’ car as the logo on the gear lever just doesn’t seem enough. While the cabin feels nice and cosy in the front as well as at the back getting in and out of it can be a task. Space at the back is just enough, although you won’t feel as comfortable as you would sitting at the back in an M5.