BMW 6 SERIES
It May Have An Illustrious Predecessor But The Latest
BMW 6 Series Is Better Than We Had Any Right To Expect. Andy Enright Reports
In this age of disposable celebrity, any no-talent clown can become famous but true star status is several levels removed. These are people who look even better in the flesh than they do at your local multiplex, ridiculously well buffed, scrubbed and toned types who radiate charisma. Some of this stardust seems to have sprinkled onto the latest BMW 6 Series. Although some have expressed reservations about the cars styling, the shape works a whole lot better if you take the opportunity to get up close and personal.
Theres genius in the design thats not always easy to comprehend. Its a car apart.
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I must admit to being singularly unconvinced the first time pictures of the 6 Series landed on my desk. Its predecessor was a muscular GT car, true, but it was also lithe enough especially in latter M6 guise to offer a really thrilling drive. This car looked lardy, with bloated overhangs and a rather unhappy looking face. Nothing prepared me for the first time I clapped eyes on the Six in the metal, sitting in the pitlane of Rockinghams Motor Speedway.
It was so much smaller than expected, the bodywork somehow tauter and more aggressively hunched. Even the Bangle bootlid, named after BMWs head stylist responsible for the revolution in the companys design philosophy, didnt appear quite as gauche as when it first appeared on the Seven Series. Unlike the original Six, which looked more like a Seven Series coupe, the latter day model looks a lot more wieldy, riding on a modified version of the 5 Series chassis. Note the word modified.
A spokesman batted away the charge that there was a good deal of Five in the Six with a sniffy "
BMW doesnt do platform sharing." At the moment there are three 6 Series Coupe models are available, the mighty £79,760 M6, the £50,455 645i and the £45,260 630i, though theres also the option of Convertible versions priced at £55,905 and £50,660 respectively. No fewer than three transmissions are available to hitch up to the 645is glorious 333bhp V8 powerplant. Aside from a conventional six-speed manual box, theres also a six-speed automatic Steptronic gearbox. Or for those who want the convenience of a sequential manual gearbox but really want to take control when charging hard, theres the F1-style SMG system with steering wheel mounted paddles.
The 630i, meanwhile, misses out on the SMG and the M6 is offered exclusively with its seven-speed SMG set-up.
"Star quality is a tricky thing to define but the 6 Series just has it"
Although the 6-Series can lift its skirt and hustle when needs be, as evidenced by a sprint to 60mph in just 5.9 seconds produced by the 645i or 4.2s in the M6, its by no means an out and out sports car. The ride is firmer than you may expect, the big tyres occasionally crashing through potholes.
Dynamic Driving Control is a function very similar to the Sport mode on M3 and M5 models. Press a button on the centre console and this sharpens up throttle reaction as well as generating a little more feel from the steering system. When allied to the SMG or Steptronic gearboxes, DDC also shifts gears at higher revs, switching ratios in just 150 milliseconds. Whichever system you choose, youll be amazed at the sheer grip generated by the roadroller Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
That said, the 6 Series feels just that little bit too big to be a truly effective cross-country tool. On sweeping A-roads, however, the Six is magnificent, third gear capable of reaching over 100mph, the engines gutsy 332lb/ft of torque making it almost unnecessary to resort to stirring the box. Leave it on third and itll be fine. Even the 630i is a strong performer, 62mpg is reached in 6.
5s thanks, in part, to the 258bhp output. An option many customers will choose is BMWs Dynamic Drive. This automatically builds up counter forces on the cars anti-roll bars and as such, virtually eliminates any body roll when cornering. After trying a car with Dynamic Drive and another without it, its an option worth pursuing if you plan to enjoy serious lateral g-forces.
Another interesting option BMW offer is Active Steering, a system that debuted to mixed reaction on the latest 5 Series. This dramatically varies the steering ratio according to speed. At low speeds, youll often need little more than a quarter of a turn on the wheel to effect a 90-degree turn. Its easy to be caught out when decelerating from a motorway into the tight car park of a service area by Active Steering but its probably something to which youll grow accustomed.
Customer take-up of the option on 5 Series models has outstripped BMWs most optimistic estimates. Theres also Adaptive Headlights which turn through corners, a Head-up Display which projects vital information onto a section of the windscreen and Active Cruise Control that uses radar to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front. Even with none of these options selected, the 6 Series is still a very nice place to do business. Core driving functions are located in or around the steering wheel and a simplified version of the iDrive system offers a still enormous amount of driver control with just a few nudges, taps and twists of the serrated metal mouse.
The dashboard design is otherwise rather low key, the analogue dials being rather disappointingly small. If the exterior is jam-packed with design details clamouring to catch your eye, the opposite is true of the cabin layout. Yes, it all hangs together very well and seems well built but nowhere does your eye alight approvingly on a signature feature. BMW claim the 6 Series has the largest luggage capacity in its class and theres ample room for a pair of golf bags and a suitcase.
Automatic air conditioning and a very respectable stereo are fitted but some small omissions grate. Fold the front
seat forward to climb into the rear and despite there being electric movement for the seat, it stubbornly stays in place. The BMW may be able to carry a decent amount of luggage but dont expect to carry rear seats passengers over 59" without complaint. Legroom isnt generous either. Still, such complaints are surely churlish when considering the target market for the big Six. No, its not the focused drivers tool the old car developed into but its so much better on so many levels that it has to be judged a success.
Star quality is a tricky thing to define but the 6 Series just has it. Dont ask us why just see for yourself.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: BMW 6 Series range
PRICE: £45,260-£79,760 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 18-20
CO2 EMISSIONS: 283g/km
PERFORMANCE: [645i] 0-60mph 5.9secs/ 155mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [645i] (urban) 16.4mpg/ (extra urban) 32.8mpg/ (combined) 24.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front and side airbags, DTC traction control, DSC stability control
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height mm 4820/1855/1373
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