Wednesday 27th June 2007

BMW 6 series refresh

BMW’s big coupe and convertible gets a makeover and a diesel

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New 6 series range includes a diesel model

BMW has refreshed the 6 series coupe and convertible, and endowed it with more technology in the process.

The exterior has had some very subtle styling tweaks such as a wider front air intake, new indicators and new standard bi-xenon headlamps. Inside, there are new finishings and materials, along with details such as eight new programmable buttons to help make the i-drive system a little more user friendly.

The range is still headed (M6 aside) by the 4.8 litre V8 650i which produces 367hp and 361lb ft of torque. Tweaks to the ecu have improved fuel consumption (BMW claims a five per cent improvement) but it still blasts the coupe from 0-62mph in just 5.1sec (5.5 for the heavier convertible model).

Styling tweaks very subtle

The new 630i uses an update of the sophisticated magnesium/aluminium block in-line ‘six’ with second generation direct fuel injection. Power is up by 14 ponies to 272bhp with a torque output of 236lb ft – good enough to see 0-62mph sprint in 6.2sec (6.7sec conv).

Perhaps the biggest news though is the fitment of the 3.0 litre twin turbo diesel engine to create the 635d. This extraordinary engine knocks out 286bhp and 427lb ft of torque without constituting the equivalent of a ships anchor in the nose – unlike some powerful V8 diesels. It too will go from 0-62mph in 6.3sec (6.6sec conv), and thanks to its frugal nature, provides a cruising range of some 629 miles – ideal for a long-legged GT.

New materials and detail design

Petrol 6 series still feature a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but the diesel can only be had with an otherwise optional new six-speed automatic ‘box. This features paddles behind the steering wheel to allow control of the gearshifts and promises a sportier drive.

All of the new models adhere to BMW’s new Efficient Dynamics policy – an umbrella term the German firm has adopted to front the pursuit of better fuel consumption and reduced emissions. Along with the new engine developments mentioned above, all cars feature Brake Energy Regeneration described as ‘an intelligent energy flow management concept concentrating the generation of electricity for the car’s on-board network on the overrun and brake phases.’ Other systems such as the power steering and air conditioning have been made as efficient as possible.

The current 6 series has always contained plenty of new technology – the controversial Active Steering and Dynamic Drive for instance – but the new car adds to that with a lane departure system that vibrates the steering wheel to alert the driver; variable headlight distribution and BMW night vision with a thermal imaging camera. And then there’s always the Heads Up Display too.

[tuffer]

A 635D at last, pity it's not a 650D but never mind. Now if someone would just pilfer my 330D I can collect on the gap insurance and get one

[RobCrezz]

Big fan of the BWM diesels, but I dont really see the point in the 6 series..

[Wanta996]

6 Series Diesel I almost chocked on my afternoon coffee there, the bland but brilliant 6 series has made itself even blander!!

Maybe this is the way "all" Grand tourers are going and BMW have got in there first.

[RVVUNM]

Still pug ugly.

[Road_Terrorist]

I can't see why a diesel 6 series is such a problem, it makes perfect sense, probably makes more sense on the continent though.

[roadie]

Looks like the 630i and the 635d are the pick of the bunch. The 630i because of how much weight it saves over the 650i, thus improving dynamics and the 635d as the perfect old man's golf car.

[tomTVR]

What it has always needed is the 6.0 V12 from the 7 series 440bhp and super smooth.

[cirian75]

What they need to do is fit the 6.0 V12 with twin turbos with 750/850 bhp and call it the M6R

[Andrew D]

roadie said:

Looks like the 630i and the 635d are the pick of the bunch. The 630i because of how much weight it saves over the 650i, thus improving dynamics and the 635d as the perfect old man's golf car.

Well the 630i is only down on weight by 140kg over the 650i, or 8% as I like to call it, but is lacking in power to the tune of 26% (95bhp). I doubt a reduction in nose weight in a car the wrong side of 1.5 tonnes will really offset that power-to-weight deficit.

But what I want to know is; where's the twelve cylinder? The M6 is nice, but you can't really count it as the 6-Series range-topper as it's so focused and different. Which leaves the top BMW Coupe as the 650i, a boring V8! What we need is a 660CSi (or 660Si as the current marketing goons would call it). Just lift the motor out of the 760i. A V12 soundtrack and 445bhp should do the trick and make a really interesting range-topper without kneecapping the M6.

[MK4 Slowride]

Only a few connoisseurs will get to own a 6 series. The 3.0d twin turbo engine makes another appearence as well. Bit gutted that a diesel is going in the 6 but should help sales a little bit although won't sound very nice if you have the convertible with the top down. Another quality product from BMW.

Awaits all the people with nothing nice to say about it, as per.

[Oddball RS]

"What they need to do is fit the 6.0 V12 with twin turbos with 750/850 bhp and call it the M6R"

And they carry on with that really silly Germanic thing about Exhausts, the M6R could have eight!.......

[Marki]

RobCrezz said:

Big fan of the BWM diesels, but I dont really see the point in the 6 series..

Why not ,, its perfect for a big motorway cruiser

[wooooody]

still the most (and esp. the converitble) vile looking car on the road then....... IMO of course

[stuartbuckell]

Even the BMW salesman is laughing at you when you drive away this car...

[RaksP]

why would they put a V12 in a 6 series and call it a 660, when the m6 is only a V10!??

Edited by RaksP on Wednesday 27th June 16:05

[tomTVR]

I am a massive BMW fan and it would be my choice im most classes of car..

But id much rather have the now 5 year old SL mercedes to the 6

Edited by tomTVR on Wednesday 27th June 16:05

[Marki]

stuartbuckell said:

Even the BMW salesman is laughing at you when you drive away this car...

I doubt that ,, i guess you think Spykers are cool cars

[Bungleaio]

I like the 6 the new tweaks have enhanced it further imo. If I could afford to buy, run and suffer the depreciation on one I'd love to get one

I bet this fella is pleased he'll miss out on the extra depreciation on his current model

[MK4 Slowride]

stuartbuckell said:

Even the BMW salesman is laughing at you when you drive away this car...

You reckon.

[Andrew D]

RaksP said:

why would they put a V12 in a 6 series and call it a 660

Because it's a six litre V12.

RaksP said:

when the m6 is only a V10!??

Because the M6 is a fire-breathing hardcore sports tool, off which you need to rev the nuts to access the power. Which is why I said the M6 isn't really the range topper (except in the mind of the marketing boys); most 6 buyers will want a comfortable mile-muncher, and even a 630i will be far superior at that than an M6. When the current model SL was launched customers could choose either the SL600 (V12, 493bhp) or the SL55 AMG (V8K, 493bhp) because Merc new that a lot of buyers wouldn't want a migraine everytime they hit a pothole.

A 660i would provide effortless cruising without the sacrifices made with the M6 in the name of nimble handling and purity of experience. It would also be 50bhp down on the M6 (the market boys would like that) and be markedly less brisk by virtue of it having a lot heavier motor than the bespoke, racing-bred unit in the M-Car.