THE 2010: BMW 6 Series Convertible

UPDATE: We already have the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices in Spain. BMW 640i Convertible from €94,400 and BMW 650i Convertible from €111,600.

It is curious that to present the updated 6 Series, BMW has decided to show the convertible body before the coupé. But even more striking is that BMW has not confirmed whether there will or will not be a 6 Series coupé.

Either way, here is the latest creation from BMW. It has been unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, replacing the 6 Series that went on sale in 2004, and its commercialisation will begin in spring 2011.

The 6 Series Convertible has 4 seats (2+2) and a fabric roof with electric operation. The mechanism that operates the roof takes 19 seconds to lower it and 24 seconds to raise it over the bodywork, and both operations can be carried out on the move up to a maximum speed of 40 km/h.

When the roof is folded down, the boot has a capacity of 300 litres, and when it is raised the capacity is 350 litres. These figures are exactly the same as those of the previous generation.

As for engines, initially there will be two petrol engines available. The 640i version gets a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder inline engine that produces 320 CV and 450 Nm. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, reaches 250 km/h and its average consumption is 7.9 l/100 km (185 g/km of CO2).

As for the 650i, it will fit a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that generates 408 CV and 600 Nm. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, reaches 250 km/h and its average consumption is 10.7 l/100 km (249 g/km of CO2).

Both come as standard with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and, in the case of the 640i, a Start/Stop system to save fuel at traffic lights, etc.

On the technology front, the 6 Series Convertible will feature an electronic system that allows the driver to select different driving modes, on the basis of which it will modify, among other things, throttle response, steering assistance, stability control intervention and gearbox behaviour.

It will also incorporate safety features such as the night vision system, head-up display, traffic sign recognition and active bonnet to minimise the impact on pedestrians in the event of a collision.

Its price is not yet known. We will provide more information as soon as possible.

Source | BMW