Currently reading: New BMW 6 Series GT facelift seen as axe falls in US

High-riding 6 Series is withdrawn from sale in North America but will continue in Europe with a range of updates

BMW’s 2020 model year revisions for the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo have been seen on a testing prototype - a few days after the model was dropped from sale in the US.

The Audi A7 rival is being withdrawn from the North American market alongside its BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo sibling. The latter is no surprise given the 3 Series has now moved to a new generation, but it’s unlikely to be replaced.

The niche positioning of the 6 Series GT has meant it’s struggled to find homes all over the world, but the SUV-focused US market has been particularly unkind. Just 65 examples found homes over there in July, compared with 3800 BMW X5s during the same period.

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By comparison, 428 examples were registered across Europe in July. A BMW UK spokesperson confirmed to Autocar that there are no plans to discontinue the 6 Series GT “within its life cycle”.

The model, which shares parts of its underpinnings with the 5 Series and 7 Series saloons, is expected to get similar updates to its siblings (the 2020 5 Series was only seen last week). That will mean external modifications to bring its styling into line, alongside technology upgrades including an updated iDrive operating system.

All petrol engines will receive emissions-reducing upgrades including petrol particulate filters. 

There’s a likelihood a new plug-in hybrid variant could be brought in, too, as part of BMW’s ever-increasing electrification roll-out. Expect more details to emerge before the car arrives some time next year. 

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The high-rised 5 Series GT was a troubled car. Has BMW sorted it this time round with the 6 Series Gran Turismo?

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concinnity 13 August 2019

Style missing

Audi got it right with their swoopy hatchback four door, by copying the lines of the Rover SD1 or Rover 800 Fastback.
BMW seems to have based theirs on the Renault Vel Satis, with similar sales results.
Peter Cavellini 12 August 2019

Look a 6 series GT!?

 Always thought it looked like an Audi Avant, it was just too big, worked better with the 4series GT, it’s a better size, good proportions, and, I think I’ve only ever seen one 6GT.

classe 12 August 2019

BMW X5 vs 6GT

I was considering buying an X5 in 6 cylinder diesel guise until I drove one for the first time. I was thoroughly underwhelmed!

Considering all the plaudits it gets as one of the better SUV's to drive, I was expecting so much more. It didn't do much for me at all. One of the biggest disappointments was the space in the rear. I have 6 foot kids, and they were cramped. It offers no more space than a 5 series touring, and definitely doesn't drive as well as one.

The 6 series GT drove much better, and had a lot more room in the back. But most people want to drive an SUV so it's no wonder you don't see many 6GT's on the road. It's a shame because I think it's a much better car if you don't need to go off-road.