BMW planning coupe variant for its flagship 7-Series: source

Munich

LESS than a year after BMW introduced the latest iteration of its flagship 7-Series, a roomy sedan that can park itself via remote control, the carmaker has quietly conceded that it landed with a thud. Even so, the US$81,500 car is so vital to the bottom line that BMW is doubling down with a coupe variant.

A sporty two-door version of the 7-Series is in the works for as soon as 2019, according to a person familiar with BMW's plan, who asked not to be named because the plans aren't public. The luxury coupe is the first of several new versions BMW is considering to give sales of its highest-end car a lift.

Mercedes-Benz used a similar strategy to cement the position of its S-Class as the world's best-selling top-of-the-line sedan. Just four years ago, the 7-Series was at parity with its Mercedes rival. Today, sales have fallen 40 per cent below those of the S-Class and are only slightly ahead of Tesla Motors Inc's Model S. Next year will be even tougher for the 7-Series, with Audi poised to introduce a self-driving version of its A8 flagship. BMW's aim with new variants is …