Even though it didn’t show up at the LA Auto Show, BMW released official pictures and details of the new 6 series Convertible. When we first saw the Coupe version of the new 6er in concept form, to be honest we didn’t quite like it. But now this convertible, in produciton form, Oh My God! It’s fantastic.
It is exactly what it’s supposed to be. A big, slightly fat, drop-top long distance cruiser with plenty of style and elegance. It is still a proper four-seater cabrio and it still has a soft-top. It’s like a luxury yacht for the roads, but don’t think it drives like one becasue the new 6er Cabrio features an upgraded chassis and two refined turbocharged engines.
At launch the car will be available with these powertrains:
| Model | Power Hp |
Torque Nm | 0 – 62mph Seconds | Top Speed Mph | Combined Mpg |
CO2 Emissions g/km |
| BMW 650i Convertible | 407 | 600 | 5.0 | 155 | 26.4 | 249 |
| BMW 640i Convertible | 320 | 450 | 5.7 | 155 | 35.8 | 185 |
Of course eventually there will be an M6 Cabrio, but that will be a whole new kettle of fish!
Both models will get an eight-speed Sport automatic gearbox, and a raft of BMW EfficientDynamics measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, 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.
BMW apparently started to listen to people and finally let go of that idiotic Banglesque design language. So the new 6 series doesn’t have that ugly trunk lid of the old model, and better than that, it doesn’t have its stupid face either. Granted, the new car’s face still looks a bit dumb, but comparing to the old one, it’s not bad.
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 further accentuate the width of the car while the standard xenon headlights have BMW’s familiar double corona look. At the rear, 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 are also LED units.
The roof of the new 6er Cabrio has a distinctive “fin” architecture. The multi-layer roof – which has been optimised once again in terms of its acoustic properties, thermal insulation and structural rigidity – has fins projecting out along the flanks of into the rear section, accentuating the car’s gracefully sweeping silhouette even more elegantly than on its predecessor.
This means the transition from roofline into the boot is achieved as smoothly as on a coupé. It also means that the upright, heated, glass rear window positioned behind the rear seats can be lowered separately from the roof.
The automatic opening and closing operation for the roof is activated as standard using a button on the centre console. The Comfort Access option allows the roof to be opened or closed using the remote control button on the car key. Opening the roof takes 19 seconds, with closing taking 24 seconds. Both operations can be activated while on the move at speeds of up to 25mph.
The fin roof of the new BMW 6 Series Convertible is available in three colours, including a new Anthracite Silver effect, which adds a stylish lustre.
The interior is enhanced in terms of space and ergonomics, and design, but you won’t be able to tell where the design is improved becasue frankly all BMW interiors look pretty much the same.
Despite its lower height, the new 2+2 BMW 6 Series Convertible 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. High-quality materials, carefully co-ordinated colours and meticulously formed surfaces combine to produce an ambience defined by luxury, sweeping dynamism and stylish functionality.
Both the standard Dakota leather and optional Exclusive Nappa leather come with BMW’s exclusive SunReflective Technology: a special treatment of the leather integrates colour pigments which reflect the infrared rays of sunlight, significantly reducing the build-up of heat on the surfaces when the car is parked with the top down.
The new model also get the latest BMW ConnectedDrive system that provides a range of systems and services which, even in the premium luxury segment, are unique. Features such as Surround-view, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, Parking Assist, Lane Change Warning System, Lane Departure Warning System, and Speed Limit Display and…
The car also has a Head-up Display system with a broader palette of colours and three-dimensional graphics to create an even sharper image.
The new BMW 6 Series Convertible comes with the highest ever level of standard specification on a Six. Standard for the 640i Convertible are 18-inch light alloy wheels, while the 650i Convertible comes as standard with a 19-inch light alloy wheel. Both derivatives feature Dakota leather upholstery, eight-speed Sport automatic transmission, electric seat adjustment, 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.
Sales of the new BMW 6-Series Convertible will start in early 2011, pricing and specs for different markets will be announced later.
