BMW 6 Series has just been introduced to Australia and takes a strong sporting stance. Which comes as no surprise as sales of the sportiest model, the M6, has made up close to half of all 6 Series sales in recent years.
Also part of the new package is the ability to personalise the big sporting Bimmers. This includes different paint colours, unusually this is often at no added cost. Talk to your dealer for details on the paints.
Subtle changes to the frontal styling of the 6 Series see a bolder ‘kidney’ grille and revisions to the lower areas that give all versions, coupe, Gran Coupe and convertible, of the 6 Series a wider look that’s even more standout than in the past. Similarly, the lines of the lower sections of the rear visually increase the width.
Adaptive LED headlights with BMW’s selective beam feature give you as much illumination as is possible without dazzling other drivers. This is a very handy safety feature and has to be experienced to gain a full appreciation of its benefits. Unusually, may we suggest that you arrange to have part of your private test drive after dark? Overnight is ideal and the dealer should be willing to assist if they see you as a serious customer.
Also on the no-cost list is the option of the M Sport Package that gives you a choice between 19 or 20-inch alloys, black painted brake calipers, a leather trimmed steering wheel, aluminium interior details and a bolder door sill treatment.
The previously optional Competition Package is now used on all BMW M6 models. This consists of a new design of 20-inch wheels on a slightly firmer suspension, faster steering settings and electronic traction aids that are slightly more aggressive.
Best of all the 4.4-litre turbo-petrol V8 engine now produces an additional 29 kilowatts of power and 20 Newton metres of torque. Bringing the peak figure up to 441 kW.
That’s 590 horsepower in muscle car terms, and this certainly is a sophisticated muscle car, though there’s a touch of beast under there as well.
Torque now peaks at 700 Newton metres, though perhaps we should say ‘plateaus’ rather than ‘peaks’ because that mighty thrust is there all the way from 1500 rpm to 6000 revs. So, unless you’re really hammering the V8 close to the redline you’re getting that full 700 Nm of real grunt under your right foot all the time.
Grunt that catapults the 6 Series coupe and Gran Coupe from rest to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. The convertible, which is a little heavier than the others, is marginally slower at 4.0 seconds.
Our test driving of the M6 was done around the scenic hills behind Queensland’s capital. It feels smaller than it really is and is impressively nimble for its size. The weather wasn’t kind to us and the flashing light on the dash reminded us on frequent occasions that the big Bimmer was saving us from our over enthusiastic selves.
Big, bold and highly competent, the latest iterations of the BMW 6 Series range are machines to dream about if you consider yourself to be a true sporting driver, who also appreciates the finer things in life.
The complete BMW 6 Series range is:
640i Coupe: $177,900
640i Gran Coupe: $184,900
640d Gran Coupe: $184,900
640i Convertible: $193,900
650i Coupe: $231,900
650i Gran Coupe: $238,900
650i Convertible: $247,900
M6 Coupe: $292,600
M6 Gran Coupe: $299,600
M6 Convertible: $308,600
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local BMW dealer for drive-away prices.
