OVERVIEW ;

BMW has updated the 6 series range internationally. The 6 Series, which is available only in the Gran Coupe and performance-oriented M6 variant in India, will receive the same update this year. The 2017 update will lend a 6 Series a fresh breath until a proper facelift arrives. The minor facelift comes with design tweaks and more features along with M-Performance upgrades.

The 6 Series update comes with a restyled bi-LED headlamps as seen on BMW sedan family lately. BMW has also given the updated 6 Series a new bi-colour 20-inch M-spec alloy wheels. The sporty wheels feature an M-specific double-spoke design and are wrapped with runflat tyres. The mid-cycle update will also come with a new body paint whereas the interior will get an array of update depending upon package selected. Customers in India can opt for the Design Pure Excellence equipment lines to tailor the design of the car more precisely according to the owner’s personal style and preferences. The Carbon Fibre interior trim can also be made available as an optional extra in India.

The mechanicals of the new 6 series will be retained. Available in the 640d trim, the car will make us e of the same 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine. Which pumps out a healthy 310bhp and massive 630Nm of torque. Power is sent to rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The updated 6 Series is expected in India by the end of this year.

EXTERIORS AND STYLE ;

There are noticeable changes made to the exteriors of this vehicle, which makes it appear refreshing. It gets a modified front bumper with wider air intake section featuring chrome accents. The kidney bean shaped grille has been pronounced and is treated with a lot of chrome. Furthermore, it is designed with a total of nine slats instead of 10 in the previous version. Its top end version is blessed with an exclusive character package that includes high gloss black decorative moldings in rear bumper and on the radiator grille. The design of the headlight cluster is the same, but it gets LED lamps along with black accents that renders it a bold outlook. Its bonnet also gets some tweaks with redesigned lines that highlights its aerodynamic stance. Its elegant frontage is complimented by the iconic BMW logo embedded above the radiator grille. The design of its side facet remains to be unchanged, but its fenders are now fitted with newly designed rims. Here, it has a sleek window frame, wherein the frames are garnished in metal and the B pillars are done up in high gloss black. It has beautiful ORVM caps that are further integrated with turn blinkers. Apart from minor tweaks, its rear facet remains mostly similar to its predecessor. Its tailgate is now blessed with an improved LED lighting that dazzles this facet. The rear bumper too gets an update with modified lower cladding and exhaust pipes. The tailgate is the same and is embedded with the company’s logo.

INTERIORS AND SPACE ;

Nose gets adaptive LED head lights with four LED daytime running light rings including auto high beam assistance. Front bumper features LED fog lights and air intakes. The BMW individual high-gloss shadow line is available exclusively on the 640d Design pure experience variant.Also the character package is available only on the same trim which comprises of decorative high gloss black moulding in rear bumper, front ornamental grille with kidney grille bars in black with chrome surrounds, black painted front bars of the kidney grille. BMW individual exterior line aluminium is confined to the 640d eminence trim. Frameless side doors equipped on both sides render a sporty flair to the vehicle. Other standard fitments proffered on both the variants are headlight washer, heat protection glazing, exterior mirrors foldable with automatic anti-dazzle function and mirror heating, rain sensor and automatic driving lights. 19 inch star-spoke, V-spoke and W-spoke alloy wheels are available on the 640d Design Pure experience, while the 640d Eminence gets an option between 19 inch Star-spoke and V-Spoke style alloys. Interior: Umpteen comfort features befitted inside up the snug quotient of the coupe. Premium leather upholstery in various colour options is available. Ambient lights with mood lights inset inside look elegant. There are three options for the interior trims which include aluminium fine cutting, fine-wood trim polar grain grey and fine-wood trim Fineline brown. All three trim options are available on the 640d Eminence variant while the 640d Design Pure Experience gets the fine-wood trim Fineline brown trim option. Arm rest is provided in the front seat with storage compartment. Automatic air conditioner with 4-zone control and rear air vents for the passengers sitting at the back ensure curbing the temperature inside the cabin. A centre arm rest is provided in the rear which comes with cup holders and storage compartment. Electrically adjusted sun roof is among the elite equipments embedded in the coupe. Some of the other vital

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ;

So many engines, so little time. Every 6 Series model features a potent engine that has ample power for every driving situation, but there are also several twin-turbocharged V8s to choose from if you want to do more than just get from point A to point B. On the other hand, sticking with the base engine will get you the best fuel economy.The base 6 Series (the 640i) features a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that puts out 315 horsepower. This is the least powerful engine in the lineup, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad powertrain. Even with the base engine, the 6 Series is quick off the line and has enough power for most driving situations.The 650i features a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that produces 445 horsepower. That’s plenty of power, even when moving a large car. With this V8, the 6 Series can go from zero to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

The 640i and the 650i both feature an eight-speed automatic transmission. It pairs well with either engine, delivering silky shifts and downshifting willingly when you want more power.The high-performance M6 features a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine that puts out 560 horsepower. This extra power makes the 650i feel slow. The M6 comes standard with your choice of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. Either way, it delivers outstanding performance, going from zero to 60 mph in just over 4 seconds.Your final option is the Alpina B6 Gran Coupe, which features a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that puts out 600 horsepower. You’ll need deep pockets to buy this baby – it has a starting price of $122,500. But if you shell out the requisite cash, you’ll drive home in one of the fastest cars in the class. The Alpina goes from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, and its top speed is 200 mph.

DRIVING DYNAMICS ;

While the 2016 BMW 6 Series is understandably not as sharp and agile as BMW’s smaller and sportier models, its massive grip and composed nature should meet most drivers’ expectations. The steering is reasonably precise, although it doesn’t provide much in the way of feedback. This detail won’t even register with most drivers, but if you’ve owned a BMW before, you might find the current 6 Series less engaging as a result.

In any case, ride comfort is excellent, and the 6 Series remains quiet and composed at virtually any speed. The 650i’s passing power is simply stunning, though the 640i is no slouch. Standard paddle shifters enhance driver engagement for those so inclined, and the transmission matches revs on downshifts, which is a particular pleasure in the 650i with its refined V8 rumble.

SAFETY ;

Standard safety equipment on the 2016 BMW 6 Series includes antilock disc brakes with advanced standby and drying features, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, front knee airbags and active front head restraints. Also standard are the BMW Assist emergency communications system (providing automatic crash notification and on-demand roadside assistance) and BMW Remote Services (including remote access via smartphone app and remote door unlocking via BMW’s call center). Pop-up roll bars come standard on the convertible.Optional safety equipment includes active lane-departure and blind-spot warning systems, a surround-view camera system and a night vision display. Bundled with the adaptive cruise control option (which requires the Driver Assistance Plus package) is a forward collision mitigation system with automatic braking capability.

CONCLUSSION ;

At this point, we haven’t seen enough of the new 6 Series Convertible to really draw an accurate conclusion, but if BMW expects it to live on and not suffer another discontinuation, it really needs to step up its game or drop the price a bit. Comparable models from Mercedes and Audi are significantly cheaper and offer very similar power with just a minor drop in performance. The new 6 Series could benefit from a little bit of the BMW i8’s interior DNA and could end up with a more aggressive look in the front and rear. Hopefully, that will be the case, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. In the end, it will always be cheaper to go with an E-Class Cabriolet or an S5 Convertible, but there is also something about driving a BMW that you just can’t duplicate in any other model. Maybe it’s the overall feeling of the soul and pride that goes into building the car, or maybe it’s that everything seems to fit and feel just right. I can’t say for sure, but one thing is certain, you have a tough decision to make if it’s truly a toss-up in your opinion.