BMW 6 Series (2011 – 2018) Review

March 2011

BMW 6 Series launched

Now in its third generation, the new BMW 6 Series Coupe takes the luxury 2+2 concept a step further by matching enhanced comfort and elegant design with sporting performance on a even higher level. The BMW 6 Series Coupé features a sweeping coupé roofline while the long bonnet, short over-hangs, set-back passenger compartment with Hofmeister kink, long wheelbase and flat waistline embody the typical proportions of a BMW coupé more than any other model.

Two exceptional BMW turbocharged petrol engines, a newly developed chassis and a host of class-leading driver assistance technology ensure that the new BMW 6 Series Coupé is full of substance, while interior space and comfort have been enhanced.

The new BMW 6 Series Coupé features a long sweeping bonnet, set-back passenger compartment and flowing roof-line. Its now traditional BMW “shark nose”, with a large, forward-slanted BMW kidney grille, broad air intakes, wide, contoured bonnet and muscular wheel arches, allude to the powerful engine beneath. Inspired by the movement of water, the fluid lines of the car combine with the subtly curved surfaces to create a look of athletic elegance, which together with the 74mm increase in length and 5mm lower height creates a powerful stance.

Character lines stretching the full length of the body define the side view of the
BMW 6 Series Coupé. The long, flat bonnet elongates the silhouette while the roof sweeps down in one fluid line, combining with the main body effortlessly, in an elegant coupé fashion, while the frameless doors and chrome side window border emphasise the tight lines of the typically BMW Hofmeister kink.

From the rear, bulging wheel arches and horizontal lines highlight the wide track of the new BMW 6 Series Coupé, alluding to its sporting performance and impressive road holding. Two-part rear light clusters give the typical BMW L-shape lights a particularly sporty, dynamic edge. Inside the units, two LED-powered light strips create a striking night-time look. The rear indicators and brake lights also use LED units.

Longer, lower and wider, the new car is larger in every dimension than its predecessor except height, where it now stands half a centimetre closer to the ground. At 4,894mm in length, the new model is 74mm longer than its predecessor, while the wheelbase has stretched similarly, to 2,855mm. The car has also grown by 39mm in width, and now measures 1,894mm across, while 5mm have been shaved off its height.

As standard the new BMW 6 Series Coupé is equipped with xenon headlights that have BMW’s familiar double corona look while high-quality chrome elements, such as the fog lamps consisting of a string of three LED units, on the outer edges of the front apron accentuate the width of the car.

Optional Adaptive LED Headlights are available for the first time and provide a bright white light, similar to natural daylight, with low beam and high beam LED light rings. Horizontal LED ribs are positioned in the centre of the light rings ensuring BMW’s hallmark twin round headlight look is expressed in a strikingly fresh way. More than just style over substance, the Adaptive LED lights automatically pivot and adjust to the line of the corner depending on the car’s speed, steering angle and yaw rate to provide the best visibility possible for the driver.

Despite its lower height, the new 2+2 BMW 6 Series Coupé offers greater headroom in both the front and the rear, and height adjustment of the driver and front passenger seats now cover a greater range too. The individual rear sets also provide passengers with additional shoulder and elbow room, making for more comfortable cruising.

The front passenger area is bordered by a surface curving elegantly from the armrest over the side edge of the centre console, upwards and outwards into the instrument panel and then horizontally into the door trim, surrounding the front passenger area with a feeling of exclusive security.

In tune with the rest of the car’s optimised performance and greater comfort, the new BMW 6 Series Coupé is fitted with newly developed lightweight seats with an integrated seatbelt system, and Easy Entry function to the rear passenger compartment: a brief tap of a switch automatically moves the seat as far forward as possible. Sports seats and Comfort seats can be fitted as an option too. The boot can accommodate 460 litres of luggage, equivalent to three 46-inch golf bags or two medium hard-shell cases and a flight case. To utilise the rear space further the rear seats can be specified with a through-loading ski hatch, allowing two pairs of skis to be transported with ease.

The new BMW 6 Series Coupé is available from launch with two petrol engines: the 650i and 640i. Both offer unique character from their respective V8 and inline six-cylinder engines through the use of twin and single turbocharger technology to produce even more responsiveness, efficiency and higher power levels.

The 4.4-litre eight-cylinder engine in the new BMW 650i Coupé is unique in that the brace of turbochargers are positioned in the V-shaped area between the cylinder banks. This design results in more efficient packaging and greater engine efficiency. A maximum 407hp is developed between 5,500 and 6,400rpm, with peak torque of 600Nm available between 1,750 and 4,500rpm.

The new BMW 650i Coupé sprints from zero to 62mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 155mph. For a model of such blistering performance and refinement, it is also extraordinarily efficient, with average combined fuel consumption of 27.2mpg and CO 2 emissions of 243g/km.

The six-cylinder in-line engine in the new BMW 640i Coupé uses single turbocharger technology alongside petrol direct injection with VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control. This enables the 3.0-litre unit to develop a maximum 320hp at 5,800rpm and maximum torque of 450Nm between 1,300 and 4,500rpm. This engine propels the BMW 640i Coupé from zero to 62mph in 5.4 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Perhaps even more remarkable are its efficiency figures. The BMW 640i Coupé achieves 36.7mpg on the combined cycle, while CO 2 emissions are only 179g/km, proving that at BMW luxurious sporting performance does not come at the expense of economy. Indeed, this model is fitted as standard with an automatic transmission that features Auto Start-Stop technology and an automatic active air flap control behind the car’s kidney grille for optimum engine performance.

The BMW 640i Coupé debuts the fuel saving technology that is the ECO PRO mode. By a touch of the Drive Dynamic Control button ECO PRO mode tweaks the engine management system, accelerator mapping and gear-shift characteristics to favour a relaxed, low-revving driving style. At the same time, power usage for electronically operated functions such as climate control is regulated to ensure maximum efficiency. A display on the instrument cluster keep the driver informed of the levels of energy efficiency being achieved to encourage an economical driving style.

As with all BMWs, both derivatives of the new 6 Series Coupé come with a raft of BMW EfficientDynamics measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In addition to the features highlighted on the 640i Coupé, both models have technology such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering (EPS), the need-based operation of ancillary components and intelligent lightweight construction to ensure maximum efficiency as standard.

An eight-speed Sport automatic gearbox is standard fitment on both models, and its wide range of ratios offer a perfect balance of muscular, sprinting performance, refined high speed cruising and low speed efficiency.

The newly developed chassis of the new BMW 6 Series Coupé comes as standard with Drive Dynamic Control, which allows drivers to choose how responsive they want the gearbox, steering and throttle to be, while the Adaptive Drive system is available as an option with electrically controlled dampers and anti-roll stabilisation.

Both the double wishbone front axle and the integral rear axle are made predominantly from aluminium. The chassis set-up is geared to the requirements of drivers looking for a sporting character, although the dampers also respond sensitively to bumps in the road surface under high lateral acceleration.

In addition to the standard electromechanical power steering, another unique feature in this segment is the optional Integral Active Steering system. This system combines Active Steering for the front axle with a steering rear axle, allowing the steering angle and power assistance to be controlled at both the front and the rear with the help of electric motors. This precisely harmonised system offers extraordinary agility in dynamic driving situations, while allowing for an impressively deft touch around twisty mountain passes and in city traffic.

The new BMW 6 Series Coupé comes with the highest ever level of standard specification on a Six. Standard for the 640i Coupé are 18-inch light alloy wheels, while the 650i Coupé comes as standard with a 19-inch light alloy wheel. Both derivatives feature Dakota leather upholstery, eight-speed Sport automatic transmission, electric seat adjustment with memory, BMW Professional Multimedia Navigation system, Xenon headlights, LED front fog lights and front and rear Park Distance Control to name but a few of the standard specification highlights.

The BMW 6 Series Coupé went on sale in the UK on 15 October, 2011.

July 2011

The BMW 6 Series 640d launched

To coincide with the launch of the new BMW 6 Series Coupé this autumn, diesel power becomes available for BMW’s flagship two-door models. The world’s sportiest diesel engine is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder unit producing 313hp at 4400rpm and 630Nm of torque from only 1500rpm with the help of variable geometry turbocharging.

BMW’s ECO PRO mode, fitted as standard on both the 640d Coupé and the 640d Convertible, provides even more economical performance when driving at low speeds or when cruising. In this instance it allows the standard eight-speed automatic gearbox to shift up earlier while altering throttle sensitivity, engine mapping and the power consumed by electronic auxiliary systems.

* Electronically limited

The BMW 6 Series Coupé and Convertible will now be available in M Sport trim. The M Sport package adds the M aerodynamic bodystyling package, 19-inch M light alloy wheels, dark chrome exhaust tailpipes, High-gloss Shadowline exterior trim and black brake callipers. Inside Anthracite headlining, Aluminium Hexagon trim, Sport seats and M Sport multi-function leather rimmed steering wheel are fitted. The BMW 640d Coupé costs from £62,080 OTR while the 640d Convertible starts at £68,210 OTR.

BMW’s ConnectedDrive system has been enhanced for 2011 for even more intelligent networking between the driver and the outside world. Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) is a superior system for warning drivers of hold-ups and calculating alternative routes to help avoid them. It is far quicker and more efficient than the Traffic Message Channel (TMC) currently used, transmitting data faster, and updating more frequently, via the SIM card integrated in the vehicle.

Courtesy of BMW Live, the driver’s mobile phone can serve as a modem to feed information to the car’s Control Display via Bluetooth. The system offers free RSS news feeds, weather information, Google Local Search, Google Panoramic and Street View. The RSS news feeds are read inside the car via BMW’s Text to Speech function. The facility will be available on the new BMW 1 Series in September, before being rolled out to other models.

The same camera system can also provide the driver more information through the new full-colour Head-up Display or the instrument panel. The Lane Departure Warning system can detect lane markings and sends a mild vibration through the steering wheel should the vehicle deviate from its lane without indicating. The Speed Limit Display reads both permanent and temporary speed limit signs and displays the current maximum permissible speed limit to the driver.

January 2013

New generation Professional Navigation System now also available for the BMW 6 Series, BMW X3 and new BMW 1 Series. The latest generation of the BMW Professional Navigation System capable of locating 7 digit UK postcodes works even faster thanks to an extremely powerful processor, offering additional route display functions and sharp 3D graphics for all menus. From Spring 2013 this system will be available in all BMW 6 Series models, the new BMW 1 Series and in the BMW X3.

All petrol models now have a sports exhaust system with a switchable valve which adds a more intense timbre to the engine soundtrack, while aerodynamic improvements along with the extensive package of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies mean the six-cylinder models – petrol and diesel – are even more fuel-efficient than before. Through features such as Dynamic Damper Control, Active Drive and Integral Active Steering, owners are now able to create a made-to-measure driving experience, while the latest BMW Head-Up Display and Driving Assistant Plus with Active Cruise Control minimise distractions and supplement the driver’s reactions to enhance safety.

The 2015 6 Series range again consists of coupe, convertible and four door Gran Coupe.

The 3.0-litre 313hp turbodiesel engine in the 640d models and the similar-capacity 320hp petrol engine in 640i versions are now more fuel-efficient thanks to the latest EfficientDynamics features and aerodynamic improvements. As a result, CO2 emissions are as low as 139g/km on the 640d SE Coupé. Yet every 6 Series can comfortably achieve the 0-62mph sprint in 5.5 seconds – and in many cases, considerably less. That is especially true for the 4.4-litre V8 bi-turbo 650i models, while the ultimate members of the 6 Series range will again be the 560hp V8-engined M6 cars from BMW’s high-performance specialists.

All petrol versions now have a sports-tuned exhaust which provides a soundtrack to match the cars’ emphatic performance. A switchable valve adjusted through the Driving Experience Control system can be used to reduce exhaust back-pressure, adding a significantly sportier edge to the sound coming from the tailpipes.

Styling changes to the front and rear of all 6 Series variants add further emphasis to their powerful on-road presence, while new LED headlights, new metallic paint colours and revisions to the interior ensure that they continue to set the benchmark for understated luxury in their class.

At the rear, the 6 Series appears wider thanks to a new horizontal chrome bumper insert which draws attention to the wide rear track and the inherent stability this promises. Six-cylinder models also have 10mm larger chrome tailpipe embellishers in enlarged cut-outs which again attest to the cars’ dynamic abilities. Newly styled side mirrors improve the cars’ aerodynamic properties and contain slim horizontal indicator strips, while for the Gran Coupé the side window surround has been revised and houses a black painted aluminium section with raised “Gran Coupé” lettering at the foot of the Hofmeister kink on the C-pillar.

There are new 18-inch alloy wheels for the Coupé and Convertible, and five new metallic paint finishes – Jatoba, Cashmere Silver, Glacier Silver, Mediterranean Blue and Melbourne Red. New wheels of up to 20 inches in diameter are available.

18-1-2017: Enchancements to BMW 6 Series New and attractive special equipment options are added to BMW 6 Series range from March 2017. These options, offer exclusively for the BMW 6 Series Coupé, the BMW 6 Series Convertible and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, underscore the sporting character of the three models. The choice of body colours will be complemented by the brand-new variant Sonic Speed Blue metallic. M Sport models will see new 20-inch, M bicolour light alloy wheels boasting an M-specific double spoke design are available, including mixed tyres with run-flat properties and a new Carbon Fibre interior trim.