BMW has announced the unveiling of the new 6 Series Gran Turismo, successor to the 5 Series model of the same name, at this year’s International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September.

Introduced in 2009 the Gran Turismo concept offered comfort, elegance, and practicality, and the new 6 series GT takes these characteristics forward another step.

The new car is much sleeker than before with its long bonnet, set back cabin and flowing roof giving a much improved coupe look.

The sculpted profile has been designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency and, alongside the lightweight engineering and materials, fuel consumption and emissions have been reduced by up to 15%.

Despite reducing the height by 21mm BMW has increased passenger space within a more low-slung silhouette.

The additional length has created a spacious cabin with full-size rear seats that can fold down to increase boot capacity from 610 litres to 1800 litres. An electrically operated tailgate and lower rear sill improves loading capacity and ensures the 6 Series GT remains a practical proposition.

Like all BMWs, the 6 Series GT is designed to offer superior comfort to its occupants.

Available in two trim levels from launch, SE and M Sport, standard specification includes automatic climate control, metallic paint, 18-inch alloy wheels, 10.25-inch touchscreen, and reversing assist camera. Drivers upgrading to the M Sport will add 19-inch alloys, leather upholstery, and a panoramic glass roof.

Options available to all customers include an upgraded surround sound audio system, BMW Connected smartphone integration, improved head-up display, BMW Night Vision system, and gesture control that allows users to operate some functions with simple hand movements.

There will initially be four variants of the 6 Series Gran Turismo, two petrol and two diesel, all fitted with the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox which is standard across the range.

BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system will also be available on two of the new models. All four variants offer the balance of power and economy BMW drivers have come to expect.

Drivers opting for petrol power can choose from either the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit found in the 630i, or the more powerful 3.0-litre straight six in the 640i xDrive. The 3.0-litre engine produces 340bhp, pushing the car to 60mph in just over five seconds in return for 35mpg and 183g/km.

The smaller 2.0-litre offers a more practical 258bhp but it’s still enough to propel the car to 60mph just a second slower and the 43mpg and 148g/km may tip the balance in favour of the less powerful car.

For those requiring bigger financial incentives a diesel is likely to prove most popular, with both the 630d and 630d xDrive using the same 3.0-litre straight six producing 265bhp.

Both variants can reach 60mph in around six seconds – BMW indicate there’s only a single tenth of a second between them – with the 630d xDrive being the quicker of the two. Economy figures show the 630d achieves 57mpg and 129g/km against 49mpg and 150g/km for the 630d xDrive.

Based on these figures it’s most likely the 630d will turn out to be the popular choice with the balance of performance and economy favoured by many company car drivers looking to minimise their tax obligations.

With prices starting from £46,810, there are plenty of incentives to attract customers to the new 6 Series Gran Turismo when it goes on sale at the end of the year.