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20/08/2011
REVIEW By EWAN KENNEDY
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BMW has introduced an all-new 6 Series convertible for the 2012 season. These are large comfortable open-top cruisers if you push the correct button and full-on sports machines if you go for other electronic selections.
New 6 Series is longer, wider and lower than ever before. We love the fact that it maintains BMW’s long tradition of having a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. You wouldn't call this big convertible nimble on twisting roads, but it clings to the road with a determination that has to be felt to be believed.
The BMW’s styling is sleek and bold, possibly even aggressive, in its theme. The aluminium bonnet has a crease running in a V shape back from the BMW badge to the windscreen. BMW’s designers tell us it mimics the bow wave of a powerboat. We have been known to raise an eyebrow at a description like that, but cruising around our home area on the Gold Coast there really were times when the big Bimmer felt like a powerboat on a smooth river as it powered its way along.
We love the interesting shape to the rear of the roof, with the ‘flying buttresses’ that juts out behind the fabric soft-top.
The BMW 6 Series is large enough to be a genuine 2+2. It provides seating for rear passengers in relative comfort, but those travelling in the front need to give up a fair bit of legroom to provide space behind them. Quality leather upholstery is treated with a heat reflecting substance to fend off the action of the hot Australian sun.
A neat feature is the glass rear window which powers up and down independently of the roof. Raise it and it reduces wind buffeting, particularly for those travelling in the back seats. Drop it and the open-air feeling is further enhanced.
This is a reasonably practical car. The 350-litre boot is quite deep if the roof is in its closed position. Though the volume only reduces by 50 litres when the roof is open, the remaining space is very shallow.
Information for the driver is projected onto a large display screen in the top-centre of the dashboard. It uses BMW’s ConnectedDrive system that allows in-car email display via Bluetooth and the internet. The screen can also handle TV programs when the car’s stationary and the sheer size of the display makes it far superior to anything else we have experienced.
There’s a new generation head-up display, but it still has the problem of being all but invisible when viewed through polarising sunglasses. It can show satellite navigation instructions as well as a digital speedo and a circular tacho.
On the subject of visibility, bulky A-pillars obstruct the driver’s three-quarter view of the road. Apart from that the view all-round is fine.
On the down side, the dark fabric lining of the drop-top results in rather sombre passenger cabin surroundings, alleviated somewhat by lighter-coloured leather upholstery.
The 650i convertible features a 4.4-litre twin-scroll turbocharged V8 engine putting out 300 kW of power and maximum torque of 600 Nm all the way from 1750 to 4500 rpm. Sitting behind this beautifully smooth engine is an eight-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual shifting. The big BMW convertible covers zero to 100km/h in just five seconds.
The engine purrs like a pussycat at low revs and roars like a jungle cat when in full flight. Apart from these satisfying sounds the well-insulated cabin keeps unwanted outside noise at bay, while even with the lid down, there is minimum wind turbulence and quiet conversation goes on undisturbed when the roof is closed.
Though it’s relatively fuel efficient, the use of 12 to 14 litres per hundred kilometres around town is far from being good for the planet. On motorways the consumption easily drops below 10 litres per hundred kilometres thanks to the tall gearing that sees the engine just ticking over.
Standard equipment on the BMW 650i includes 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive headlights, rear view camera, front and rear park distance control, cruise control with brake function, LED fog lights, sports seats, Dakota leather upholstery. There’s seat ventilation for the front seats.
To further aid the high-speed agility, comfort and low speed maneuverability the BMW 650i has BMW’s Dynamic Damper Control and Dynamic Drive active roll stabilisation system. This state-of-the-art technology offers four driving modes that change at the touch of a button, they are: Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport-plus.
Would we buy one? If we lived in Europe and could open the BMW 650i convertible up to use its full potential the answer is a resounding Yes. But in Australia we would probably go for something smaller and more suited to our conditions, like a BMW 325i or even the tiddler in the range, the 135i, again in topless format.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
640i 3.0-litre two-door convertible: $194,300 (automatic)
650i 4.4-litre two-door convertible: $248,300 (automatic)
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in both models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in both models
Cruise Control: Standard in both models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in both models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in both models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in both models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in both models
Reversing Camera: Standard in both models
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard in both models
Satellite Navigation: Standard in both models
Bluetooth: Standard in both models
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in both models
SPECIFICATIONS (BMW 650i 4.4-litre two-door convertible)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 4.395 litres
Configuration: V8 Cylinders
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Bore/Stroke: 88.3 mm x 89.0 mm
Maximum Power: 300 kW @ 5500-6400 rpm
Maximum Torque: 600 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Rear
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Eight-speed
Final Drive Ratio: Not supplied
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4894 mm
Wheelbase: 2855 mm
Width: 1894 mm
Height: 1365 mm
Turning Circle: 11.7 metres
Kerb Mass: 1940 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
Towing Ability: Not supplied
Boot Capacity: 300-350 litres
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts, lower control arm, coil springs, gas damper, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Transverse link, coil springs, gas damper, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 5.0 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 95RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 10.7 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 7.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/unlimited km |
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