BMW 6 Series (F06/F12/F13)

BMW 6-Series
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	2011–
Assembly	Dingolfing, Germany
Designer	Nader Faghihzadeh (2008)
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer/executive coupe
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door coupé 4-door sedan
Layout	FR or F4
Related	BMW 5 Series (F10), BMW 7 Series (F01)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 3.0 I6 4.4 L V8 Diesel engine: 3.0 L (313 hp) I6
Transmission	8-speed ZF 8HP automatic 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Gran Coupe: 2,968 mm (116.9 in) Convertible & Coupe: 109.4 in (2,779 mm)
Length	Gran Coupe: 5,007 mm (197.1 in) Convertible: 192.8 in (4,897 mm) Coupe: 192.7 in (4,895 mm)
Width	Gran Coupe: 1,894 mm (74.6 in) Convertible & Coupe: 74.6 in (1,895 mm)
Height	Gran Coupe: 1,392 mm (54.8 in) Convertible: 54 in (1,372 mm) Coupe: 54 in (1,372 mm)
Curb weight	1,735–2,055 kg (3,825–4,530 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW 6 Series (E63)

The BMW F06/F12/F13 6 Series is a grand tourer/executive coupe automobile manufactured by BMW.^[1] BMW unveiled information and pictures in September 2010 of the Concept 6 Series, which was introduced at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.^[2]

Initial release

The third generation BMW F13 (coupé) and F12 (convertible) were released for the 2012 model year at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show and New York Auto Show.^[3]

Early 6 Series Coupe models include 640i, 650i.^[4] 640d, 650i xDrive were later added.^[5]

6 Series Convertible was unveiled in 2011 BMW 2011 North American International Auto Show. Early US model include 650i.^[6] 640i was also available.^[7]

European models of 6 Series Coupe (640i xDrive, 650i xDrive, 640d xDrive), 6 Series Convertible (640i xDrive, 650i xDrive, 640d) were unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[8]

BMW revealed the 6-Series Convertible on 18 November 2010. The folding top is still cloth as compared to the E93 3 Series convertible which is equipped with a metal roof. On 13 March 2011, BMW released pictures and details about the Coupe.

The new 6 Series convertible is outselling the outgoing Mercedes-Benz SL 25 to 1 in the US.^[9]

For the 2014 model year, the 6-series received a light facelift and updated engines.

2014 BMW 650i xDrive, facelifted model

M6 (2012)

Launched at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show as a coupé^[10] and at the Auto Mobil International Leipzig 2012.^[11] as a convertible, the M6 includes 4.4-litre V8 twin scroll twin turbo engine, seven-speed double clutch transmission with Drivelogic, M-specific Dynamic Damper Control, DSC stability control incl. M Dynamic Mode, M Servotronic steering, body strengthening using special panels, lightweight compound high-performance braking system (optional M carbon-ceramic brakes), M double-spoke leather steering wheel, M gear selector and car set-up controls on the model-specific centre console, exclusive M sports seats with integrated belt system (optional M multifunction seats), Merino leather upholstery with extended features, exclusive carbon-fibre interior trim strips, illuminated door sill finishers with model lettering, M-specific instrument cluster with black-panel technology, 2-zone automatic climate control with extended features, ambient lighting; BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific information.^[12]

Models

Petrol
640i

650i

Diesel
640d
640d was introduced along with Coupe body style.

Transmissions

In Europe, the 6 Series is available only with an 8-speed automatic gearbox

Production Figures/Sales Figures

The following are the units produced according to BMW's Annual Reports. The following figures include all 640i, 650i models.

As of 2014 (excluding all cars sold in 2014), a total of 60,276 BMW F06/F12/F13 6 Series's were produced, of which: 17,695 were Coupes, 19,835 were Convertibles and 22,746 were Gran Coupes.

2012 update

Beginning in July 2012, 6 series include following changes:^[13]

• No Passing Info supplements Speed Limit Info from BMW ConnectedDrive. It serves to avoid potentially hazardous overtaking manoeuvres by identifying signposted routes on which overtaking is banned and when the ban is lifted.
• BMW 650i xDrive includes Auto Start Stop function as standard.
• The BMW 650i's biturbo V8 engine adds Valvetronic with an increase in output to 443 hp and 480 lb ft of torque.^[14]

Beginning from spring 2013, BMW ConnectedDrive includes Intelligent Emergency Call with automatic vehicle location and accident severity detection becomes standard on all BMW 6 Series models. New models include BMW 640i xDrive (Convertible, Coupe, Gran Coupe), 640d xDrive Gran Coupe.^[15]

Gran Coupé

BMW’s 6 Series Gran Coupé and the Paranal Observatory^[16]

BMW 6 Gran Coupé at Motorshow Geneva 2012

The 6 Series Gran Coupe (F06) was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.^[17] The Gran Coupé is the fruition of the 2007 BMW CS Concept, a vehicle that was intended to slot at the top of BMW's lineup alongside the 7-Series flagship sedan. The CS Concept never made it to production due to the worsening economy in 2008, which also saw the retirement of BMW M development executive Gerhard Richter.^[18]

The Gran Coupe has often been compared with the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class in the four-door executive coupé market.^[19] However, the Gran Coupe is larger and more expensive than the CLS and A7 and is priced close to the Porsche Panamera.^[20] Pricing for the BMW 640i Gran Coupe is slightly higher than the BMW 740i, with the Gran Coupe positioned as a more stylish alternative to the conservative 7 Series.^[21][22]

The Gran Coupé shares the front and rear fascias with the other 6 Series body styles. Compared to the two door 6 Series Coupé, the Gran Coupé's wheelbase is longer by stretched 4.5 inches (the wheelbase is the same as the F10 BMW 5 Series)^[23] while the body is 4.4 inches longer. This makes the Gran Coupé longer (by 4.0 inches) and wider (by 1.3 inches) than the 5 Series sedan (F10).^[14] The extra length, compared to the two-door 6 Series, gives the Gran Coupé a 4+1 seating arrangement, as the rear has two fullsize outboard seats and a middle seat for occasional passengers. The Gran Coupe has a different center console though its dashboard is shared with the Coupé and Cabriolet.^[22] Compared to the short-wheelbase BMW 7 Series (F01), the Gran Coupé has similar rear passenger space dimensions while having a larger trunk (14 cubic feet versus 16.2 cubic feet).

M6 Gran Coupé (2013-)

The high performance M6 Gran Coupé was launched in the spring of 2013.^[24] The specification includes 20-inch M light-alloy wheels and shares the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 of the M5 and M6 coupé.^[25]

Body styles

Transmissions

The M6 in all forms is the only 6-Series available with an optional six-speed manual in North America.

2015 facelift

Details of the facelifted 2015 6 Series were released on the internet on December 11th 2014, a month before its official release in the Detroit Auto Show.

Exterior changes include: one removed slat from each kidney grille, a slightly redesigned full-LED adaptive headlights, three distinct LED's in the fog lights, integrated indicators in the accent strip cutting across the top of the headlight unit, a larger and lower front air intake (for the front bumper), the exterior mirrors get indicators. The facelifted 6 Series comes with a newly designed 20-inch multi-spoke wheels. The Hofmeister Kink in the BMW 6 Series Coupe and Gran Coupe has been slightly redesigned. There is also a new chrome strip that sits in between the exhausts in the lower rear bumper and the style for the model designation badges has also been slightly changed. Minor alterations to interior trim and audio options.

All facelifted BMW 6 Series xDrive models get Hydraulic Steering Assistance, and all models are available in xDrive variants which improves the 0-60 times. All (640i/d and 650i) models come with BMW's TwinPower Turbo technology, and all models meet the EU6 Exhaust Emissions standard. The 650i Coupe and Gran Coupe feature 445hp, and can go from 0-60 in only 4.3s.

A new package called the 'Black Accent Package' can also be ordered on all facelifted models - The changes include: High Gloss Black Kidney Grille Bars, a BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line trim, high-gloss tailpipe tips and 19-inch Bi-Colour light alloy wheels with an exclusive multi-spoke design. Cognac/Black bi-colour Nappa leather highlighted by Fineline Brown Wood is also included in the 'Black Accent Package'. The 'M Sport Edition' gets 20-inch M Wheels, a M Sport Steering Wheel and a M Dynamic exterior. The interior changes from the 'M Sport Edition' includes ventilated front seats, soft close doors and (like its pre-facelifted model) contrast stitching and a leather dashboard.

All 640i models get exclusive features as well. All facelifted BMW 640i models have a Sports Exhaust System, which features a switchable exhaust valve and can be adjusted via the 'Driving Experience Control Switch'. This means that whenever the car is in the SPORT or SPORT+ mode, the valve opens in order to reduce the exhaust backpressure, and thus generates a 'dramatic' and aural response. The engine management system also allows further acoustic optimisations including Dynamic Load-Reversal Damping. Also, all facelifted BMW 640i models burn 0.2litres less fuel per 100km than its pre-facelift model.

Engines

Petrol engines

Diesel engines

References

External links

• Official website