BMW surprised audiences at the Beijing Motor Show by unveiling its BMW Gran Coupe Concept. The four-door coupe from the Bavarian automaker will set for production as a new 8-series flagship to beat the likes of Porsche Panamera and the future Audi A7.

According to BMW, the concept has been designed to reflect  BMW’s unique design and philosophy when it combines its Gran Turismo and high performance sports car. The Gran Coupe measures almost 5 meters in length and features the same design cues of all BMW coupes  that include the long wheelbase, the vaulted bonnet with forward-pointing lines, the flat silhouette, the coupe-style roof line and the short front overhang. Also added is an asymmetrical kidney grille, wide frontal air intake and frameless doors. The car stands 1.4 meters tall  with a roof 100 millimeters lower than that of a 7-Series sedan.

“It’s true that the Gran Coupe points to a specific model, a saloon with the presence and elegance of a 7-series but a more dynamic, sporty character: much more of a driver’s car,” says BMW design chief, Adrian van Hooydonk. “We’re convinced that we should make a car like this,” the designer added.

No details about any interior options or what will lie beneath the hood have been revealed so far. However, according to Autocar, the production version of the Gran Coupe will appear in 2012. The car will use the same platform as the current 5-Series and 7-Series, so expect those engines to power the coupe.