BMW 6 SERIES CONVERTIBLE:BMW IS IN THE midst of a major model revamp and the new 6 Series convertible heralds not only a new version of its rival to the Porsche 911 and Jaguar XK, but the first of three versions of the car due on forecourts in the next 15 months.
First up is this rag top, followed in short order this autumn by a two-door coupé version and then the long-awaited four-door version next year. The latter variant has been hinted at for several years now with various concept cars. The success of this format for models like the Mercedes CLS, Porsche Panamera, and Maserati Quattroporte, suggests there’s a sizeable market in the luxury car segment for the Bavarian brand to tap – even if it’s one out of reach for many Irish buyers at present.
The decision to launch with a convertible first – and with only two petrol engines and no diesel initially – is driven mainly by the largest market for this car: the US. The Germans wanted to have the new car on sale there in time for the open-top buying season in spring. While it’s not a landmark sales period in Ireland, to the perma-tanned denizens of Florida and southern California it’s a major date in their shopping calendars apparently. And of course, these folks don’t do diesel, dude.
While the BMW engineers are eager to focus attention on the relative efficiency of the 3-litre 320bhp engine in the 640i and the 4.4-litre, 407bhp unit in the 650i, it’s no secret that a diesel variant will feature in these ranks in the near future. An M version of the coupé is virtually guaranteed as well. But for now these cars will only drink from the petrol pipe.
The new car’s styling sees a definite return of the shark nose front to BMW cars and a more pointed profile that once adorned its cars in the 1980s.
The lowered front nose is also noticeable in the metal, although it creates an overall look that’s not as distinctive as the outgoing model. That’s a potential problem when its price and performance pits it up against some serious style icons from Porsche and even Jaguar. The good news is that the off-putting overbite lip on the boot of the previous version is gone, replaced with far smoother lines. It still boasts a relatively big rear-end but it’s not the bulbous beast of old.
The Germans have made a very wise choice in keeping the soft-top rather than dabbling in a folding metal roof but, even so, the rear tail overhang seems quite long for the space needed to house folded cloth. Bootspace is decent with 350 litres with the roof up and 300 litres with it folded away. The roof manages to rise in 24 seconds and fold away in 19 seconds.
Rear seat legroom in the convertible is as poor as with rivals, even if headroom has been improved. But designers are promising that the four-door version will have proper adult space in the back and will be a full five-seater.
The front dashboard boasts several new touches for the brand, not least a larger information screen that resembles a portable flatscreen TV. There are some beautiful sweeping lines on the dash, as if the leather has been peeled back on the driver’s side to reveal the car’s inner workings. And among the must-have toys for any buyer is a much-improved heads-up display that reflects information on speed and navigation right into the driver’s eyeline. It’s one of the best we’ve tested, with full-colour graphics displayed.
On the road, the 650i packed all the punch you’d expect from a car with 407bhp under the bonnet and a 0-100km/h time of five seconds, helped in great part by the impressive eight-speed gearbox that’s standard.
There’s a wonderful gurgle to the engine note when you kick down on the throttle, but perhaps the most impressive feat was its handling – despite measuring in at nearly five metres long. That pits it within shouting distance of the flagship 7 Series in terms of its footprint, but behind the wheel you’d never think it was such a big car. It’s incredibly nimble for its size and only once, when we switched the car’s dynamic control to the highest sport mode, did it start to feel skittish on badly surfaced roads. Aside from that, the new car’s agility is akin to a 3-Series and on a 10-mile test route that twisted and looped like a politician’s answer, it was a joy to drive. While prices and PR claims may suggest this is a 911 rival, it’s really more of a sports cruiser. For the out-and-out power we’ll have to wait for the next M6.
BMW Ireland will have to push hard to get sales of the 6 Series convertible into double figures in the current climate, but that’s down to the state of the country, not the car. With prices starting at €107,690 for the 640 and rising to €133,040 for the current flagship 650i, demand will clearly be low. However, what follows this launch will prove more tempting, particularly if the Irish purse strings ever start to loosen again. A four-door coupé that can handle like this and reflect the styling of the concept cars shown in the past is a mouthwatering proposition for well-heeled petrolheads.
The challenge then is to overcome the issue of brand exclusivity. Priced above the likes of the CLS or A7, it has a strong chance against the Jaguar XK but will find the going tough against a 911. In reality, it’s a more forgiving offering, leaning more towards luxury refinement than a hardcore sports car.
FACTFILE
640i
Engine3-litre petrol six-cylinder with 320bhp and 450Nm
0-100km/h5.7 secs
L/100km (mpg)7.9 (35.8)
Emissions(motor tax) 185g/km (€630)
Pricesstarting at €107,690 (RRP)
650i
Engine4.4-litre V8 petrol with 407bhp and 600Nm
0-100km/h5.0 secs
L/100km(mpg) 10.7 (26.4)
Emissions(motor tax) 249g/km (€2,100)
Pricesstarting at €133,040 (RRP)
Specification
Standard features include Dakota leather upholstery; Xenon headlights; sat-nav; flat-panel 10.2-inch high-resolution control display; 18-inch alloys (19-inch for the 650i SE)