The BMW 6 Series throughout its first three generations was certainly one of the brand’s most iconic sports cars. However, since the launch of the fourth generation model, the 6 Series was offered solely as a five-door fastback sedan, which was later axed in August last year (2023). But there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel after all as the 6 Series is reported to make a comeback in 2026, at least in the US, according to a report by Automotive News.
First introduced in the US in 1977 in its first generation form, its spot has been left vacant in the country since 2019. According to a source from one of BMW’s suppliers in the US, however, the 6 Series will be resurrected as a coupe and convertible as early as the second half of 2026.
Underpinning the new BMW 6 Series will be the brand’s Cluster Architecture platform, allowing the car to support traditional internal combustion engine (ICE), petrol hybrid, and all-electric powertrains. Expected to be a low-volume product, the 6 Series will be built at BMW’s Dingolfing plant in Germany starting July 2026.
The new BMW 6 Series will make its debut as the brand axes its combustion engine-powered 8 Series and 4 Series models. The German carmaker will also slowly discontinue some of its petrol- and diesel-powered models as it marches towards its goal of having EVs account for half of its sales by 2030.
RELATED: BMW XM production to end in late 2028 with no successor in sight – first and last of its kind?
Unlike engine-powered sports cars, their all-electric counterparts actually have quite a bit to gain in the face of electrification. Commenting on the matter, US-based data analytic company AutoForecast Solutions’ Vice President, Sam Fiorani said, “Coupes and convertibles are the smaller volume models, but their performance-oriented character gains from electrification. The remaining models in the lineup will be largely hybrid to lower emissions and keep the traditional BMW performance alive.”
A BMW retailer in the US said that the new BMW 6 Series will appeal to “upwardly mobile consumers who appreciate performance and luxury”.
The retailer was quoted saying, “Mainstream cars are popular, but we should have the niche cars as well. BMW is trying to get in alignment on what customers are looking for.”
Since its first introduction in 1976 till 2018, the BMW 6 Series has been offered in coupe or convertible forms throughout its three generational run, with a 4-door sedan variant, marketed as the “Gran Coupe”, being introduced with the third generation model.
In 2017, the fourth-generation 6 Series made its debut in the sole form of a 5-door fastback sedan, known as the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo (GT). It was technically a replacement for the 5 Series Gran Turismo but was later discontinued in August 2023.
Despite having been retired from BMW’s global lineup, the facelifted BMW 6 Series GT is still on sale here in Malaysia, in the form of the 630i GT. Launched back in 2021, it is currently priced at RM446,700 (inclusive of extended warranty and service package), the fastback sedan is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4 engine, making 258 hp (metric) and 400 Nm.
The engine is paired with an 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic gearbox, sending power to the rear wheels only. Sprinting from a standstill to 100 km/h with the BMW 630i GT takes 6.5 seconds, while its top speed is rated at 250 km/h. Are you excited about the return of the BMW 6 Series? Hopefully, this one won’t be just offered to the US market only.
RELATED: All-new 2024 BMW M5 is a 727 hp hybrid brute that’s… slower than its predecessor?
