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24/04/2011
By DEREK OGDEN
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The coming of BMW’s new 6 Series Convertible marks the getting together of performance and frugality with the added bonus of comfort and luxury. A marriage made in heaven, perhaps.
The cars – two of them, the 640i and 650i – are characterised by a couple of engine variants, an inline six-cylinder and a range topping V8, both fuelled by petrol. The latter, just launched in Australia, sells for $248,300 (manufacturer’s list price), while the ‘six’, which will hit our shores in August, $194,300, making it the only model in its segment under $200K.
The 6 Series Convertible is larger all round than its predecessor – 7 cm longer, 4 cm lower and wider, with wheelbase and rear track increased by 7 cm. In tune with other sporty BMWs vehicle weight is distributed on a 50:50 basis.
The bonnet itself is made of weight-saving aluminium and a crease runs from the BMW badge in a ‘V’ back to the windscreen mimicking the bow wave of a powerboat.
With the fabric roof closed – this takes 24 seconds; 19 seconds to open – the convertible takes on the character of a coupe and produces a quiet, relaxed cabin atmosphere through optimum noise and thermal insulation. A neat touch too is the glass rear window which opens and shuts independently of the roof.
Unlike some in this vehicle segment the car is a genuine 2+2, seating rear passengers in relative comfort albeit with restricted leg room. Quality leather upholstery is treated with a heat reflecting substance to fend off the action of the hot sun. The 350-litre boot is capable of carrying two golf bags with the roof up. It loses 50 litres of space with it stored.
Driver information is projected onto a free-standing full-colour screen attached to the top of the central dashboard – a first for BMW – working with the company’s ConnectedDrive system that allows in-car email display via Bluetooth and the internet, exclusive to BMW. There’s also a new generation head-up feature that uses full-colour graphics and is standard in the 6 Series Convertible.
The 650i features a 4.4-litre twin-scroll turbocharged precision injected V8 engine putting out 300 kW of power and maximum torque of 600 Nm between 1750 and 4500 rpm.
Mated with an eight-speed sports automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual shifting, the convertible covers zero to 100km/h in just 5sec and comes up with a combined fuel consumption of 10.7 litres per 100km.
The BMW 640i has a 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged motor producing 235 kW and 450 Nm 1300 and 4500 rpm. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and consumes only 7.9 litres per 100km of fuel on the combined cycle, while emitting just 185 g/km of carbon dioxide per kilometre.
Such efficiencies are brought about by brake energy regeneration, high precision fuel injection, auto start/stop and air vent control.
Needless to say, specification on the new 6 Series Convertible has not been skimped. Standard on both the 640i and 650i are 19-inch V-Spoke alloy wheels, adaptive headlights, comfort access, Bluetooth, lumbar support, seat heating, sat nav, rear view camera, front and rear park distance control, sports seats (Comfort Seats in 650i), full-colour head-up display, high-beam assist, internet, Bi-Xenon headlights, cruise control with brake function, LED fog lights, USB, Dynamic Driving Control, alarm system, ambient light, Dakota leather upholstery, Hi-Fi loudspeaker system and interior and exterior metallic paint.
In addition to the 640i, standard spec on the BMW 650i includes Adaptive Drive, comfort seats, surround view, TV function, Professional HiFi System, and seat ventilation for the front seats.
To further aid the high-speed agility, comfort and low speed manoeuvrability both models can be fitted with Adaptive Drive (standard on the 650i) – a system incorporating Dynamic Damper Control and the Dynamic Drive active roll stabilisation system.
This state-of-the-art technology offers four driving modes – comfort, normal, sport and sport-plus – to change vehicle response at the touch of a button.
We took the 650i Convertible took to a drive in the Gold Coast Hinterland like a duck to water, which was great as it was a bit damp in the back blocks.
The engine has two distinct notes – purring like a compliant pussycat at low revs and roaring 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.
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.
And one blind spot is exactly that. The bulky A-pillar, admittedly necessary for body rigidity and roll-over protection, obstructs the driver’s three-quarter view of the road. Apart from that all-round visibility is good.
Adaptive Drive is a delight, putting the vehicle in the right mode of ride and handling to match the driver’s mood.
Though at $200K-plus the 650i Convertible may appear to be taking any owner on a fast road to bankruptcy, for those who can afford it the BMW gives maximum bang for his or her bucks – efficient dynamics indeed. |
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