BMW 6-series

BMW has unveiled its updated 6-series coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe, as well as the updated M6 range. The updated 6-series line-up will be first shown to public at the upcoming Detroit Motor show 2015.

However, the changes to the BMW 6-series range are barely detectable. The biggest change on the exterior is a mildly re-styled front bumper and a kidney grille with a new look; the headlights are new and now come with a standard LED main beam set up. At the back, the rear bumper gets a minor styling tweak. The alloy wheels get a new design too, and the six-cylinder car will get 17-inch rims, while the V8 models get 18-inch wheels.

The interior of the updated 6-series range are of higher quality, there are two new colour shades on offer for the leather trim, and there is a standard heads-up display on offer too.

Mechanically, the updated 6-series line-up is the same as the earlier range. However, there is a marginal improvement in efficiency, and all the 6-series models are now EU6 compliant. They accelerate faster and have a better in-gear performance as well. The updated 6-series petrol motors now get a sports exhaust with a switchable flap as standard.

The petrol motors include a 316 bhp 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged in-line six in the 640i, and a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 good for 444 bhp in the 650i that has a claimed 0-100 kph timing of 4.6 sec and a limited top-speed of 250 kph for the rear-wheel drive coupe.  The updated 6-series diesel range gets a 3.0-litre motor good for 309 bhp in the 640d. This model is now more fuel efficient and has better emission control as well. A standard eight-speed automatic gearbox does duty in all models; it comes with remote steering wheel-mounted shift paddles too. The updated 6-series range also gets an all-wheel drive system for some international markets, which has resulted in a 75 kg weight increase. However, it provides better traction.

The updated BMW M6 coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe come with the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol motor that is good for a massive 552 bhp. The M6 range comes as a rear-wheel drive only, and channels power via a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox and an electronically controlled M-differential.  The updated M6 coupe does 0-100 kph in 4.2 sec and its top speed is limited to 250 kph.  The updated M6 range is also available with an optional Competition Package which raises power by 15 bhp and improves 0-100 kph timing by 0.1 second. The Competition Package also gets detailed suspension tweaks, a more direct steering ration and unique 20-inch wheels.

We expect BMW to bring the updated 6-series range in India sometime next year.