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BMW has unveiled its Concept Gran Coupe, a five-metre long four-door coupe that's rumoured to become the next 8-Series.

Dominating the limelight at this week's Beijing Motor Show, it is believed the Concept Gran Coupe will go into production as BMW's new flagship model.

According to BMW, the new concept is intended to combine the exclusivity of a Gran Turismo with the performance of a sports car.

BMW has used the Gran Coupe as a design exercise and its styling is set to influence the company's future model lines.

The Gran Coupe is up to 10 centimetres lower than both the BMW 5 and 7-Series and features a long wheelbase, vaulted bonnet, set-back glasshouse, low silhouette, shark nose and short front overhang, as well as the distinctive asymmetrical kidney grille, wide front air intake and frameless doors.

The Concept Gran Coupe would go into direct competition with the Porsche Panamera and the Audi A7. The original 8-Series was the company's flagship model between 1989 and 1999. It featured 2+2 seating, was powered by a minimum of eight cylinders and rivalled the Mercedes CL.

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