2011 BMW 6 Series Convertible : First Look

Jay Williams - 5/April/2011

Munich, Germany - BMW has announced pricing for its next generation 6 Series Convertible, the brand’s largest and most luxurious open-top sports car.

The entry level BMW 640i is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six TwinPower Turbo petrol engine that produces 235kW of power and 450Nm of torque between 1,300 - 4,500 rpm.

This engine accelerates the BMW 640i from 0-100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds and consumes only 7.9 litres per 100km of fuel on the European combined cycle, while emitting just 185g/km of CO2.

Meanwhile, the range-topping 650i Convertible boasts a 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8 engine featuring High Precision Injection generating 300kW of power and maximum torque of 600Nm across a broad rev range between 1750 rpm and 4500rpm.

Combined with an ultra efficient eight-speed sports automatic transmission with steering wheel paddles for manual shifting, the BMW 650i sprints to 100km/h in just 5.0 seconds with a combined fuel consumption of 10.7 litres per 100km.

Through the use of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies including Brake Energy Regeneration, High Precision Injection, Electric Power Steering, Auto Start/Stop Function and Air Vent Control, the BMW 6 Series Convertible offers the most powerful and fuel efficient engines in its class.

Standard specification on both the 640i and 650i is suitably generous and includes 19-inch alloys, adaptive headlights, Comfort Access, Bluetooth, lumbar support, metallic paint, seat heating, Navigation System Professional, Rear View Camera, front and rear Park Distance Control, Sports Seats (650i features Comfort Seats), new-generation full colour Head-Up Display, High-Beam Assist, Internet, Bi-Xenon headlights, Cruise Control with brake function, LED fog lights, USB and Dynamic Driving Control.

The BMW 6 Series Convertible will premiere a new on-board monitor taking the form of a freestanding display. The standard 10.2-inch screen comes with a high-quality galvanised chrome surround and rises up steeply in front of the driver and front passenger in the style of a powerboat cockpit.

Joining the first-time flat screen design is the new-generation full colour Head-Up Display which minimises distraction from the road and traffic.

Over and above the 640i, standard specification on the BMW 650i will include Adaptive Drive, Comfort Seats, Surround View, TV function, Automatic soft-close function for doors, Professional HiFi System and seat ventilation for the front seats.

In addition to Adaptive Drive, both models can be fitted with Parking Assistant and the new DAB+ Radio Tuner, which offers a digital radio experience including a wide-range of special-interest channels.

BMW’s trademark Integral Active Steering is also available as an option, reducing the turning circle of the car at low speeds, while ensuring smooth and controlled cornering at higher speeds.

The 6 Series Convertible again comes with its trademark electronically powered soft-top with “fin” architecture. The upshot is that the transition of the roofline into the rear follows the distinctive roofline of a hard-top coupé. Its advanced design ensures fast, silent and convenient operation – taking only 19 seconds to open and 24 seconds to close and can be operated at road speeds of up to 40 km/h.

Pricing starts at $194,300* for the 640i six-cylinder in-line TwinPower Turbo petrol engine and $248,300* for the 650i V8 TwinPower Turbo petrol engine. The 650i will be available from launch and on sale in Australia on 29 May. The 640i will hit local shores in August this year.

*Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price is shown and includes GST but excludes dealer charges, stamp duty, statutory charges and on-road charges which are additional and vary between dealers and States/Territories. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing inquiries 

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