BMW’s showed off its latest 6 Series Convertible for the 2012 model year at this month’s Detroit Auto Show, and fortunately it hasn’t strayed very far from the styling of its inspiration, the 6 Series Coupe Concept, apart from losing its top. But now we’ve gotten our first glimpse of the production Coupe a little ahead of schedule.
The new 6 Series is 2.9-inches longer overall and in wheelbase than the outgoing version, while being 1.5 inches wider and just under half an inch shorter. Weight was a major factor in the new car, with efforts taken to drop pounds via body panels being made out of both aluminum and composite materials.
Power comes from a new 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 that pushes out 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The Convertible’s 0-to-60-mph time is said to be just 4.9 seconds and we expect the coupe to shed a few tenths of a second from that. Combine that additional power with EPA figures that are expected to be lower and you can consider the 6 Series’ powertrain to be well improved.
Expect the finished product to be a technological tour d’ force, with Driving Dynamic control, ConnectedDrive, and a three-dimensional heads-up display. Active cruise control is also on the menu, along with start-stop capability, lane-departure warning, and night vision.
What’s next after the 6 Series Coupe debut in Geneva this March? We’re still waiting on a M version…
Thanks to: Motor Trend