BMW 6 Series (E63)

BMW 6-Series (E63)
Manufacturer BMW
Production 2003–2010
Assembly Dingolfing, Germany
Predecessor BMW 6 Series (E24)
Successor BMW F12/F13
Body style 2-door convertible
2-door coupé
Platform BMW E64
Engine 3.0 L (2996 cc) I6
3.0 L Diesel (2993 cc) I6
4.8 L (4799 cc) V8 (N62)
Transmission 6-speed manual
6-speed automatic
7-speed (SMG)
Wheelbase 109.4 in (2,779 mm)
Length 190.2 in (4,831 mm)
Width 1855 mm (73 in)
Height 1373 mm (54.1 in)
2004-06 Coupe: 54.0 in (1,372 mm)
Curb weight 1690 kg (3725.8 lb)

The BMW E63/E64 is the current model of the BMW 6 Series of luxury coupés, introduced in Autumn 2003 in Frankfurt Motor Show by German car manufacturer BMW. It comes as either a coupé or cabriolet (convertible) and in several engine variants ranging from a 3 litre straight-6 to 5 litre V10 in the M6 model. Production ended on July 8, 2010.

In 1989 the original 6 Series was supplanted by the more expensive and higher performance 8 Series. In late 2003, the 6 Series was reintroduced as a 2004 model as a coupé (E63) and cabriolet (E64) platforms. The E63/64 itself is based on the BMW E60, the latter which forms the fifth iteration of the 5 Series sedan.

The styling of the new 6 Series has generally received a warm welcome from the BMW community. The new 6 Series was designed to look like a shark, and many have acknowledged the resemblance. The controversial rear styling by Chris Bangle is considered to work somewhat better on the shapely E63 than on other BMWs designed by Bangle, such as the E60 5 Series and E65 7 Series models which were controversial. However, most owners and enthusiasts of the E24 6 Series have disliked the E63.

The development cycle of this vehicle was documented in a 3-part Discovery Channel Canada series Birth of a Sports Car (later known as BMW: Birth of a Sports Car on Speed Channel).

The 645i was used as a pace car at each rounds of the 2006 Moto GP

Contents

Engines

The base engine is a 3.0 L (2996 cc) straight-6 N52 engine, not offered in the United States or Canada, producing 190 kW (258 PS; 255 hp) at 6600 rpm and 300 N·m (220 lb·ft) of torque from 2500–4000 rpm (in the 630i). This engine consume 6.7 liter on the trace.

There is also a 4.4 L (4398 cc) V8 making 245 kW (333 PS; 329 hp) and 450 N·m (330 lb·ft) of torque at 3600 rpm (in the 645Ci). The V8 in the 645Ci is the N62 engine, shared with the 545i and 745i, with BMW's Valvetronic valve timing system. This is an all aluminum engine with 4 valves per cylinder.[1] In the renamed 650i, BMW increased the V8's displacement to 4.8 liters, producing 268 kW (364 PS; 359 hp) at 6300 rpm and 487 N·m (359 lb·ft) of torque at 3400 rpm.[2]

In Europe, a diesel engine is offered in the 635d. This has the same 3.0 L6 twin turbo diesel engine as in the 535d and 335d. It has 286 hp (213 kW) at 4400 rpm and 580 N·m (430 lb·ft) of torque available at 1750 rpm.

Transmission choices are either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic "Steptronic". For the high-performance M6, the 7-speed Getrag SMG III single-clutch semi-automatic transmission was initially the only transmission but it later became optional a year afterward when a 6-speed manual unit was made available. The SMG III also was optional on V8-engined 6-Series (645Ci/650i) until after the 2008 model year.[3]

Various auto tuners offer aftermarket products for the BMW E63/E64 that include improved engine software, throttle bodies, and exhaust sets that improve horsepower through the power band.

Mid-generational refresh

In the autumn of 2007 BMW debuted an updated BMW 6-Series Coupe and Convertible. They feature new LED turn signals in the headlights, slightly restyled rear tail lamps with an LED turn signal, and a redesigned third LED brakelight that has been enlarged and moved to the top of the trunklid.

Model lineup

Model Model Year Engine E63
Coupé		 E64
Cabriolet
630Ci/630i 2004-Current N52B30 ✓ ✓
645Ci 2004–2005 N62B44 ✓ ✓
650i 2006-Current N62B48 ✓ ✓
M6 2006-Current S85B50 ✓ ✓
635d 2007-Current NM57TUD30 ✓ ✓

M6

Main article: BMW M6

In 2005, an M6 version of the new 6 Series was introduced. It shares the E60 BMW M5's engine and transmission (500 hp). In the third quarter of 2006, BMW announced the M6 convertible as an upcoming 2007 model. The 2008 model year M6 Coupé and Cabriolet both benefited from the standard 6-Series refresh during the fall of 2007.

References

  1. ^ "BMW AG : Products : 6 Series Coupé". Bmw.com. http://www.bmw.com/generic/com/en/products/automobiles/showroom/6series/coupe/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-06. 
  2. ^ "BMW AG : Products : 6 Series Coupé". Bmw.com. http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2010/6/650iCoupe/Features_and_Specs/650iCoupeSpecifications.aspx. Retrieved 2010-02-10. 
  3. ^ "BMW 6 Series Review". Edmunds.com. http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/6series/review.html. Retrieved 2010-07-26. 
Type Series 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
Small family 3 Compact E36/5 E46/5
1 Series E81 / E82 / E87 / E88 F20
Compact exec 3 Series E21 E30 E36 E46 E90 / E91 / E92 / E93 F30
Executive 5 Series E12 E28 E34 E39 E60 / E61 F10 / F11
Luxury Coupé 6 Series E24 E63 / E64 F12 / F13
Luxury 7 Series E23 E32 E38 E65 / E66 / E67 / E68 F01 / F02 / F03 / F04
Roadster Z Series E30 (Z1) E36/7 & E36/8 (Z3) E85 / E86 (Z4) E89 (Z4)
M 1 Series M Coupe E82 M
M3 E30 M3 E36 M3 E46 M3 E90/92/93 M3
M5 E28 M5 E34 M5 E39 M5 E60/61 M5 F10 M5
M6 E24 M635CSi/"M6" E63/64 M6
M Roadster E36/7 (Z3) M E85 (Z4) M
M Coupé E36/8 M Coupé E86 M Coupé
Supercar/GT E26 (M1) E31 (8 series) E52 (Z8)
Sports Activity X1 E84
X3 E83 F25
X5 E53 E70
X6 E71 / E72
Progressive Activity 5 GT F07