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SMOOTHER LOOKING 6: Meet BMW’s new fixed-roof luxury coupe alternative, the 650i.
BMW has revealed images and details of its third-generation 6 Series coupe ahead of its Shanghai auto show debut in April, 2011.
The new car will re-establish BMW’s presence in the luxury coupe market where Jaguar’s XK and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe will be its main rivals.
BMW has followed an interesting product introduction strategy with the new 6 Series range by launching the convertible (in Cape Town) ahead of the fixed roof coupe.
TURBOCHARGED POWER
Shadowing the convertible powertrains, the new large coupe will launch in 640i and 650i derivatives powered by BMW’s single-turbo three-litre in-line six (235kW/450Nm) and twin-turbo V8 (300kW/600Nm).
Both engines will drive the rear wheels via ZF’s superb eight-speed auto transmission. Expect standard stop/start technology to reduce fuel consumption; the 650i V8, for instance, is capable of 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds yet still returns a claimed average fuel consumption of 8.7 litres/100km.
In terms of styling, the new 6 coupe is a lot more elegant than its (rather) controversial Chris Bangle-designed predecessor. The new car is 75mm longer, 39mm wider and 5mm lower and also has a 75mm longer wheelbase – sure to improve rear legroom.
BMW has confirmed the high-performance M6 nameplate will return with the third-generation 6 Series range powered by a tuned version of the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, producing a touch more than 400kW.
The new car will re-establish BMW’s presence in the luxury coupe market where Jaguar’s XK and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe will be its main rivals.
BMW has followed an interesting product introduction strategy with the new 6 Series range by launching the convertible (in Cape Town) ahead of the fixed roof coupe.
TURBOCHARGED POWER
Shadowing the convertible powertrains, the new large coupe will launch in 640i and 650i derivatives powered by BMW’s single-turbo three-litre in-line six (235kW/450Nm) and twin-turbo V8 (300kW/600Nm).
Both engines will drive the rear wheels via ZF’s superb eight-speed auto transmission. Expect standard stop/start technology to reduce fuel consumption; the 650i V8, for instance, is capable of 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds yet still returns a claimed average fuel consumption of 8.7 litres/100km.
In terms of styling, the new 6 coupe is a lot more elegant than its (rather) controversial Chris Bangle-designed predecessor. The new car is 75mm longer, 39mm wider and 5mm lower and also has a 75mm longer wheelbase – sure to improve rear legroom.
BMW has confirmed the high-performance M6 nameplate will return with the third-generation 6 Series range powered by a tuned version of the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, producing a touch more than 400kW.
