Updated BMW 6 Series: Technological 2+2 Tour-de-Force

Motoring Channel Staff - 28/June/2007

Munich, Germany — BMW has taken the wraps off the recently updated 6 Series Coupe and Convertible models, giving the aspirational sports coupe a fresh faced appearance. The new models will be coming to Australia later in 2007, but BMW has not yet confirmed pricing, but is expected to begin at $200,000 for the coupe, and roughly $225,000 for the convertible.

As well as improving fuel economy and adding new exterior design cues to the smooth European coupe, BMW has added a range of features inside the car - mainly improvements to existing systems such as the iDrive input controller.

The mid-life update for the BMW 650i and 650i Convertible are manifested visually in the new front end treatment, which includes a new front apron with a restyled lower spoiler section. To the untrained eye the new 2007 model BMW 6 Series won't appear all that different, but there are subtle differences.

Take the new indicators - they are now LED lights instead of globes, which not only use less energy but also give the car an advanced and modern appearance. 

Updated Design

From the A-pillars that straddle the windshield, there's a strong character line that runs along the entire engine compartment lid to the BMW kidney grille, forming a dynamic arrow further emphasised by the powerfully chiseled bars in the lower air intake.

BMW explains that the air intake itself is even wider than on the former model and borders at the bottom on a new contour edge significantly highlighting the wide stance of the car. The newly designed directional indicators, in turn, featuring LED light units with a crystalline effect, provide an even more distinctive signal than before.

New headlights give the front end of the BMW 6 Series a clear, focused look, while new lighting technology adds to their brilliance. Featured as standard, the bi-xenon dual round headlights are covered by a layer of clear glass at the surface, their corona rings now offering BMW’s typical daytime driving light function.

The tail end of the BMW 6 Series has been slightly altered as well, with the boot lid beneath the spoiler lip being even more concave in design than before, and according to the Bavarian car maker it also rises up less steeply to provide a more dynamic look by making the entire rear end of the car look even lower.

On both the Coupe and Convertible, the additional brake light is now integrated in the spoiler lip. The inner structure of the rear lights has also been modified to reflect the new lines of the car, with all light sources now being LED units.

V8 Power

The two new models just launched include the BMW 650i Coupe and BMW 650i Convertible, both of which are powered by powerfully refined 4.8-litre V8 engines, with 6-speed manual or auto gearboxes transferring power to the rear wheels.

BMW hasn't changed the V8 engines in a wholesale sense, but has made minor tweaks to improve refinement, fuel efficiency, and power development.The 4.8-litre engine belts out 268kW (360hp) @ 6300rpm, while maximum torque of 487Nm hits the wheels at an incredibly low 3400rpm, giving the new 650i models rapid acceleration, and smooth drivability.

With its powerful bottom end, the new BMW 650i Coupe accelerates to 96km/h in 5.3 seconds (with manual transmission) while the BMW 650i Convertible completes the same exercise in 5.6 seconds, and both cars are limited to a top speed of both 250km/h (155mph).

Keeping the 2+2 seater sports cars power in check, the BMW 6 Series are fitted with a range of stability and traction systems, including DSC(Dynamic Stability Control), ABS anti-lock brake control system, automatic stability control, Brake Assist, and Cornering Brake Control, the latter feature helping to avoid under- or oversteer in corners.

Further functions include Brake Fade Compensation when the brakes become particularly hot, Brake Drying to optimize the car’s stopping power in wet weather, and Start-Off Assistant, enabling the driver to set off smoothly and without the car rolling back on an uphill gradient and without having to use the handbrake. Small features, but they make big differences to the driving experience.

There are two transmission options with the new 6 Series: an automatic 6-speed sports transmission and shift paddles on the steering wheel, or the 6-speed manual gearbox. Neither will be cost options, though the manual transmission will offer improved straight line performance.

Advanced Chassis

BMW claims that both the BMW 6 Series Coupe and the Convertible are characterised by sporting and superior driving characteristics at all times and under all conditions. Featuring a high-performance power unit, the rear-wheel drive 6 Series represents optimumaxle load distribution combined with an ultra-modern all-aluminium suspension system to deliver both a smooth ride and spirited handling. BMW asserts that the principle of lightweight construction on the chassis and suspension guarantees high levels of stability and minimises the car's unsprung masses.

Another feature of the chassis are the high-performance floating-caliper brakes with inner-vented brake discs. Controlled hydraulically on the BMW 6 Series, the brakes now acting even faster and more precisely than before in guaranteeing maximum stability and full brake power at all times.

Standard on the BMW 6 Series is 'Servotronic' power steering provides, which changes the ratio of the steering dependant of road speed. Further enhancement of steering comfort is provided by optionally available Active Steering.

Interior Design

Adding to the massaged exterior design, the stylish interior also gets a few new touches, including the sweeping cover above the dashboard that starts beneath the windscreen extends back on both sides in an ongoing, dynamic line leading into the door panels and surrounding the armrests. The instruments and controls are finished in a new Chrome Pearl Grey Design and there's new colors for the interior leather trim and upholstery.

Optional finish in Pearl exclusive leather, with additional leather on the armrests, the door grab handles and the center console, is now also available in Chateau Red and in a new upholstery color, Saddle Brown. Featuring a combination of leather and Pearl Grey chrome, the iDrive Controller matches the look of the new rotary buttons, thus additionally enhancing the overall harmony of the car's interior decor.

Other features of the BMW 650i Coupe and Convertible include Active Cruise Control, which changes the speed of the car via radar input. It also has a stop-and-go system for automatically navigating traffic at very low speeds, all the while maintaining an appropriate distance to the vehicle ahead.

As well as the high tech BMW Night Vision system (with the view of the road at night displayed on a small screen), the luxury German grand tourer also offers the Lane Departure Warning system, which has a vibration signal on the steering wheel to alert the driver of inadvertent departure from the correct lane on the road. The Lane Departure Warning system works by accessing information from cameras fitted near the interior mirror on the windscreen.

BMW has revealed that both the BMW 6 Series Coupe and the BMW 6 Series Convertible are optionally available with a Head-Up Display projecting information relevant to the driver such as the road speed of the car or navigation data to the windscreen directly in front of the driver. The cars feature high levels of safety too, with multiple airbags, active headrests, and an advanced substructure to protect occupants.

As a particular highlight in the interest of motoring comfort, both the BMW 6 Series Coupe and the BMW 6 Series Convertible are equipped with the BMW Navigation System, including Real Time Traffic Information. Among other features, the BMW Navigation System features refined graphic presentation on an 8.8-inch Control Display as well as new, particularly reliable voice entry exclusive to BMW cars.

High-quality audio systems and telematics functions also feature, including BMW’s optional Premium Sound Package which includes a 6 disc CD changer and Logic 7 and adds a USB interface. This allows the user to integrate MP3 players such as an Apple iPod into the audio system and to control the various functions by means of the iDrive Controller or the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel.

The 6 Series today also plays a significant role within BMW's model portfolio. It is the benchmark for innovation, and a powerful expression of progress in technology. Cars of this kind establish a particularly active relationship between the manufacturer and the customer, with the dedicated 6 Series owner showing a clear preference for the BMW brand and, at the same time, a strong affinity for innovations in technology, premium quality, and individual style.

Having built over 75,500 cars within the past three years is impressive proof of the close link between the BMW brand and the tradition of the sophisticated, top-quality Grand Touring automobile. In this segment, facing keen competition from a number of high-ranking competitors, the BMW 6 Series, measured in terms of registration figures, ranks a proud second among all luxury sports cars the world over. In other words, right from the start it immediately left the competition with comparable all-round qualities far behind.

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