Many luxury automakers have opted to release four-door coupes over the past few years, but BMW has been a bit slower on getting a model out. That's set to change in 2012, as the company recently revealed a the 6 Series Gran Coupe, which is expected to fill the four-door coupe hole in the German automaker's lineup.

The model made its first appearance last year at the Beijing Auto Show, when it was known as the Concept Gran Coupe. Now, BMW has officially confirmed plans to put the car into production.

The vehicle doesn't quite look like its 6-Series brethren, which will be offered in coupe and convertible formats. In fact, the car shares a wheelbase with BMW's 5-Series. It's under the hood that the similarities arise. Like other 6 Series vehicles, Gran Coupe purchasers will have the choice of an inline-6 or twin-turbo V8 engine.

BMW's new model is expected to compete with other German four-doors, like the Mercedes CLS and Audi A7.

BMW has not officially announced the car for U.S. shores yet, but BMW Blog reports that the car is expected to come to America - at a price tag higher than other 6-Series - by mid-2012.