No carmaker is aware of learn how to fill niches fairly like BMW. And at this level, there are such a lot of seemingly overlapping autos that it is usually laborious to decipher why one is best than the opposite. A crossover will get a sloping roofline and immediately it is an entire new mannequin. A coupe sprouts a second set of doorways, and it is one thing new, too.

Then there’s the 2018 BMW 640i Gran Turismo. It is like a tall four-door sedan with a hatchback and a coupe-ish roofline. It is just like the X6 went into the Proportion-O-Later machine and grew 7 inches in general size, however received skinnier and shorter in top within the course of. It is not a coupeover. Perhaps it is a hatchback? Perhaps it is a crossover?

Gran Turismo, grand touring

No matter it’s, the 6 Collection GT is the alternative for the unique segment-bending 5 Collection Gran Turismo. And as its title suggests, the GT is extra of a luxurious cruiser than canyon carver.

The 6 Collection Gran Turismo is obtainable completely in 640i xDrive guise, with a three.Zero-liter turbocharged I6 engine and all-wheel drive. The six-cylinder engine has loads of grunt, with 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque on faucet to maneuver this four,400-pound beast to 60 miles per hour in a BMW-estimated 5.1 seconds.

In its default Consolation setting, the 6GT’s ZF-sourced transmission shifts by way of its eight gears just like the proverbial knife by way of heat butter. Sport mode, in the meantime, adjustments the throttle and transmission parameters for a bit extra urgency by way of energy supply, and tightens up the steering and suspension. My tester’s Dynamic Dealing with Package deal with Integral Energetic Steering, a flowery means of claiming rear-wheel steering, improves general response to driver inputs. My solely actual complaints are that the run-flat tires are awful and the brakes may use a bit extra chunk.

Adaptive mode fits this automotive finest, adjusting the steering, suspension and powertrain settings based mostly on my driving fashion. I additionally like that this mode works with the usual navigation system and transmission, downshifting earlier than I method an intersection or holding gears between intently spaced turns.

The 640i GT’s rear air suspension can compensate for heavy or uneven hundreds, protecting the automotive’s rump flat and stage. You can even regulate the peak manually, elevating it by Zero.78 inches or decreasing it by Zero.39 (bizarre measurements, I do know). At greater speeds, the automotive mechanically hunkers down for improved aerodynamics.

The EPA charges the 640i Gran Turismo at 23 mpg mixed, proper consistent with the similar-ish Audi A7. That stated, I did not even handle to hit the 20-mpg metropolis ranking throughout my week with the automotive. Your mileage, in fact, could fluctuate.

Tons of tech inside and outside

Inside, you may discover BMW’s newest iDrive system housed on a 10-inch touchscreen. You’ll be able to management it by voice, contact or a rotary knob positioned between the seats, and it even has these bizarre gesture controls for rising/lowering audio quantity and answering calls. Gesture management is cool at first, however positively not dependable (I can not get it to work on a regular basis) and doubtless extra hassle than it is value.

iDrive itself is fairly intuitive, with all main features separated into six giant tiles. Secondary features are much less apparent, and require digging deep into menus and submenus. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, for instance, is sort of finicky to arrange the primary time. And remember, CarPlay prices $300 right here, and Android Auto is not coming to any BMW fashions anytime quickly.

Wi-fi cellphone charging comes customary, which is sweet, since all 5 passengers share simply two USB ports. An elective Wi-Fi hotspot can accommodate 10 units.

The 6 Collection Gran Turismo is the primary BMW to come back customary with the corporate’s Energetic Driving Assistant, which includes a complete suite of aids like blind-spot detection and lane departure warning. Each of those programs give off a visible warning and steering wheel vibration if it detects the driving force drifting out of a lane or about to chop off one other automotive. Sadly, neither system works at low speeds, so maintain your eyes on the prize whereas caught in stop-and-go site visitors.

Daytime pedestrian detection, ahead collision warning with metropolis collision mitigation, pace restrict data and rear-cross site visitors alert are additionally customary fare on the 640i Gran Turismo. Optionally available extras embrace adaptive cruise management, lively lane-keep help and site visitors jam assistant, that are bundled into the Driving Assistant Plus Package deal.

I really like adaptive cruise management, and it is nice right here within the 640i GT. The tech works at sluggish speeds and screens the actions of two vehicles forward for smoother general response and operation. And whereas many vehicles can pause for just a few seconds earlier than beginning up once more on their very own, the 6 Collection can maintain a cease for 30 seconds after which set off mechanically. I am usually ready on the Bay Bridge toll plaza in San Francisco the place 20-second holds aren’t unusual, so this longer pause time supplied by the 640i is a big comfort.

The 6GT may maintain itself in a lane with steering help at speeds as much as 130 mph and permits for as much as 50 seconds of hands-off assist. That is nice in super-slow site visitors, however in fact, at all times maintain your fingers on the wheel. Simply because you possibly can drive hands-free doesn’t suggest it’s best to.

Practical and splendid

The bizarre hatchback form means the 6 Collection GT is definitely fairly purposeful. There’s 31 cubic ft of area on provide with the rear seats upright, however fold ’em down — with the distant within the trunk, in fact — and you have got 65 cubic ft at your disposal. That is much less area than bigger, boxier crossovers like BMW’s on X5, however the 640i GT affords extra usable area than the X6 coupeover, in addition to wagons just like the Volvo V90 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

As you’d anticipate, there’s leather-based in all places within the 640i GT, protecting the cozy and endlessly adjustable heated entrance seats. Should you actually wish to up the luxe, go for the Nappa leather-based with ornamental quilt stitching. It is attractive.

The cabin is properly insulated, protecting the skin world the place it belongs. A Harman Kardon stereo fills the inside area fantastically, and a big panoramic sunroof lets the sunshine shine in. The inside is as spacious as it’s snug.

How I would spec it

The 2018 BMW 640i GT begins at $72,995 together with vacation spot, however you may positively wish to add some choices.

For my cash, I would add the $1,700 Driving Assistant Plus bundle for the stellar adaptive cruise management system. I’d additionally throw $2,600 for the Luxurious Seating bundle, since I can not say no to massaging seats, although this additionally requires a $1,000 improve to the Nappa leather-based. I am going to take the $four,100 Dynamic Dealing with Package deal, too, because it provides the air suspension, dynamic dampers, lively roll stabilization and rear-wheel steering. I am going to additionally begrudgingly pay $300 for CarPlay — BMW, severely, why value gouge the tech that so many different automakers are providing free of charge?

All in, my very best 640i GT prices $79,895, together with vacation spot. My take a look at automotive, in the meantime, stickers for $85,005.

A luxurious cruiser

The 6 Collection Gran Turismo has so much going for it, together with a formidable suite of driver’s aids and actually nice utility. It is not the best-looking automotive on the street by a protracted shot, however that additionally offers it sort of a novel issue. Simply maintain your efficiency expectations on the low facet and benefit from the comfortable, snug experience.