Sleek, sporty and oozing style – that’s the promise of BMW’s new 6-Series, which was officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.
The newcomer displays classic coupé proportions, with its long bonnet, short front overhang and low-slung silhouette. Smooth lines mimic the design cues first seen on the latest 5-Series and 7-Series.
A shark-like nose features glass inserts at the top of the grille bars for a modern look, while the distinctive headlights are, for the first time, entirely LED, producing a dazzling white light and reducing energy use. Adaptive light technology also means they swivel according to the steering angle and speed of the car, while the daytime running lights are in BMW’s familiar ring design.
At the rear, twin trapezoid exhaust tips create an aggressive look, while LED light strips inside the rear clusters ensure the 6 even has a distinctive appearance at night. Unique 20-inch alloy wheels, each milled from a solid piece of aluminium, finish off the handsome exterior design. The elegant new 2+2 cabin has a full-length glass roof to flood the interior with light, and a tilted centre console to put the emphasis on the driver. Two individual leather-lined rear seats have enough room to accommodate a pair of adults.
There’s a wealth of technology, too. Taking pride of place is a huge 26cm flatscreen displaying the audio, climate and sat-nav menus. A head-up display and digital panel, in place of traditional dials, show a range of information, while a Bang & Olufsen stereo with 16 speakers, including one that rises from the top of the dash, delivers superb sound quality.
The engine range is likely to match the current line-up, with straight-six and V8 petrol offerings. But since the diesel 635d accounted for around 70 per cent of sales, a new range-topping 306bhp 640d is expected to scoop up the majority of buyers.
Still officially a concept, the BMW Concept 6-Series Coupé, to use its full name, could receive some minor tweaks before it arrives in showrooms. But essentially this is the car that will make production.
Despite the coupé breaking cover, it will be the convertible that arrives first in March. The hard-top follows in September 2011.
For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit!
God thats another ugly car from the blandest brand in the world right now. I didnt think they could get any lower than the X1/1 Coupe but they have managed it, somehow.
was this "news story" just cut'n'pasted from a BMW press release? It reads like it...
The rear end has hints of Honda Legend Coupe about it... still, it's a darned sight better looking than that last Bangle Mangle - the current 6 series. BMW used to make some of the sleekest, most beautiful shapes in the world. Then along came the 12 thumbed Bungle and he churned out monstrous ugly fruit like the plug rancid 1 series, the slabby 7, the awkward 5, the crumpled 6, the squat/bug like old Z4. But the new E92 was the first of the restored sleek BMW's of yore ... thank goodness design is coming back to BMW - albeit slowly (but then, they still produce odd cars like the breeze block like x1, or the strange 5 GT)...
Cluttered, uninspired styling. Too much going on. Sports cars should be sweeping design statements on wheels. Will definitely NOT stand the test of time.
Just compare this to the new design Lotus Elite and you would see how "just right" the Lotus design is.
Apart from the huge wheels, hoffmeister kink and the kidney grill, this could be ANYthing. Rear 3/4 looks like an Eos, while rear looks like a Sebring Conv and from the side it could be overweight a Hyundai or Kia....
But aside from that gurning grille, I don't see much to distinguish this from the 3-series coupé which, whilst not being the world's most exciting car shape, at least has a modicum of restrained elegance about it.
That said, the new 6 is better looking than the overwrought design it replaces.
LOL! how many bmw haters are on this site!
BMW have upped their game here. They are not a company renowned for beautiful design, however this is a significant step in the right direction. Hat's off BMW, sales will be interesting. :)
"Flash, I love you, but you only have 24hrs to save BMW!!!"
Sorry Flash, I just couldn't resist that... lol
Anyways, down to business: It's not that we're BMW haters. BMW make solid. dependable cars and that's a fact most of us agree on, but they've lost their design direction.
BMW don't seem to able to find a happy medium between style and functionality. The last truly pretty BMW design was the Z8 in my opinion and yet it drove like a dog. You have to go way back to the original 6 series coupe to rediscover the real heart of BMW design and function in perfect harmony.
What their current cars lack is the desirability factor. They are about chiseled as Michael Schumaker's chin.
"...the distinctive headlights are, for the first time, entirely LED, producing a dazzling white light...",
Great, more oncoming dazzle and glare. Just what we need on our roads. Otherwise, not bad BMW. Anyone remember the gem that was the 635CSi?
I see that the school kids are all over this one in force! Phrases like "I nearly threw up in my mouth a little bit" and "Hate it" show ther age of these jealous BMW bashers.
This car has styling queues that can be traced back to the BMW range of 20 years ago... Updated for the modern times! Other manufacturers are copying BMW and not very well either...
As for comparing it to the Lotus Elite!! Doh! Two very different sector cars, which if you had left school you would have realised! One is an out and out pretender of a supercar and the other is a sports coupe. Colin Chapman must be turning in his grave at the involvement of the Koreans and Japanese...
i think the best BMW i had seen was the previous model Z4, it was a subtle, not in your face, road hugging proper roadster. I really do hate the current 6 series, its proportions are all wrong, big body with small headlights don't do justice. the odd looking boot lid, and those really awkward looking chrome plates stuck to the top of the distinctive double grill look like dental flosted rabbit teeth, they did it to 3 series but changed it afterwards. The car's rear here looks like the new 5 series, little change there. front looks like a proper surgical face lift job. The interior yet very neat looks a bit odd, the rising speaker design seems like they were trying to copy something similar to the XF's revolving vents. As with every BMW engines will be show stoppers
LOL! how many bmw haters are on this site!
BMW have upped their game here. They are not a company renowned for beautiful design, however this is a significant step in the right direction. Hat's off BMW, sales will be interesting. :)
I despair about some posters, truly I do...
Why don't you try reading the posts instead of browsing the titles, then you won't look like such a pillock when you post?
p.s. I'm not going to name names as it will force the offending article to read back through the posts... XD
Haha nice one Ming! your daughter Aura was hot!
Obviously beauty is subjective, to an extent. Maybe if its an Aston Martin you may get almost universal agreement. My point is, BMW are not known for producing beautiful cars and they still sell well. There are some ugly BMW's out there, no doubt, but i don't think the 3 series coupe or z4 fall into that category. I'm not expecting perfection in their style, but i do believe they are moving in the right direction away from the Bangle era.
That is way better than the last effort. Such a shame the current M6 looks so bad, sweetest V10 under the bonnet.
THis I think is really good looking, nice job.
Hi Flash,
I think an old school report cliche can be applied to some extent when referring to BMW's latest crop:
"Good effort but must try harder."
I've driven every BMW in the range barring the X3 & X6 (frankly, I wouldn't want to) and to a car, they all drive well. Mechanically they are right on the money. Build quality is superb. The interiors are comfortable, but unfortunately they lack style IMO...
I will agree the new Z4, which I also haven't driven, is a damn sight better looking than the previous incarnation and it even exhibits a bit of road presence. The Bangle influence is still there though to the cars detriment.
At least the rear end looks a lot better than the current model. I'm now more concerned about the generic front. All current BMs have this botoxy look about them and it ain't pretty. It is, however, in the passable category, looks-wise.
The only BM that I'd buy (and I've had a few) for looks alone right now would be the Z4. The X6 almost makes the Ssangyong Rodius look ok - almost!
Prince Barin: "I knew you were up to something, though I'll confess I hadn't thought of necrophilia?"
Hi sgtgrash,
Yeah i would agree with the good effort but must try harder. Give them time they will get there, as you said they have the other elements in place so i think it's a matter of time. I don't mind this 6 series though, it's getting sleeker and sportier. I think it will have quite a lot of appeal.
Prince Barin: "I knew you were up to something, though I'll confess I hadn't thought of necrophilia?"
Hi sgtgrash,
Yeah i would agree with the good effort but must try harder. Give them time they will get there, as you said they have the other elements in place so i think it's a matter of time. I don't mind this 6 series though, it's getting sleeker and sportier. I think it will have quite a lot of appeal.
As for comparing it to the Lotus Elite!! Doh! Two very different sector cars, which if you had left school you would have realised! One is an out and out pretender of a supercar and the other is a sports coupe...
The Elite apparently will be capapable of a top speed of 195mph, that alone qualifies it as a supercar! I do not hate BMW's I've even owned one, I just find them bland, overated and all a bit samey!
As for the new 6 I must same the cockpit is a vast improvement, but the outside as always more of the same. It's like you have to two goats, you keep breeding only two of the next ones off spring the you get a genentic pool that only gets smaller and smaller until you reach genetic extinction. Audi will go the same way you can't just go on repeating the same look before it just looks like a mutation. Jaguar has the right idea now, it looked tired and too much of the same old same, they ripped up the family tree album and started again with a whole new look and it works!
Word to Audi and BMW it's time to start again!
I meant I must SAY the cockpit
I have to regard many of the comments made as a 'load of drivel' - this new 6 has overcome completely the' tangle' of flaws of the previous and other model BMW designs of late. This is an elegant car and its design oozes class - anyone who says otherwise simply cannot have their opinion seriously regarded. The opinions are pretty much of the same level as the grammar and poor English used.
There seems to be an absolute obsession these days with the notion that 'innovation' is the key and this applies to wide ranging topics such as Architecture or Cooking. My opinion is that it is simply change for change sake. A new house can be innovative without being outrageous and ten chefs can cook roast beef and produce ten different meals without introducing foreign ingredients. Much of the car production of the sixties and seventies was then hailed as design-led and is either now on the scrap heap or regarded as an oddity. Just look at a 1930's Lagonda or a post war XK jaguar for designs which have and will stand the test of time.
Greg
I am so sorry for BMW, they are making horrible cars now, I was such a big fan but now I can´t say that!!!
The new 6 isn't a bad looking car overall but I do have to agree with Wayne here and hark back to the original 635 CSI, a car I would never be able to afford to buy, never mind own and run but I still loved it. When I first set eyes on the pictures here I thought "hmmm.......another artist impression, which was compounded further by AE's statement to the effect that this is still officially a concept. They also point out that despite the "concept" moniker, this bar the tweaks will be the final; design that makes the showrooms. The finished version will be a lot nicer looking than these artist impressions suggest I fancy. I didn't like one of the recent last generation 7 Series but I think BMW probably realised they'd goofed with that one when it received a facelift not that long afterwards. I don't think the new 6 is anything ground breaking but it does appear to be very nice. I for one will wait for the finished article to appear in the flesh before I pass final judgment.
This has to be the best looking Beemer for a generation! I actually really like the rear aspect too, and thats a first in recent years. This will look pretty damn good in the metal.....!
I was about to buy a bmw x3 or 320d m sport for the new 60 reg but on checking my auto express mag i found out both will be replaced end of this year. i questioned the dealer and they lied to me. So i bought a Kia Sorento KX-2 instead.
Come on BMW your let down by your dealers. I would have waited for the new X3 model
Is it just me, or does anyone else think that BeeMMM has gone Baaarmeeee? All that technology and engineering wrapped into a rep-mobile....Merc did it so much better with the CLS, even Volkswagen passat CC has more elegance and grace than this latest car. After all the criticism for the last 6 series design, are they running that scared? Gregorius, your head needs examining, if you think only your opinion is the only correct one!
Would you seriously pay over 40K for that?
If only it had the character of say the old 6 series CSI, I would understand the logic of such a car design, but BMW seem to have lost its way..( 5 GT, 1 Series,) .unless this car is gonna be produced to flood the chinese market.
I could imagine BMW actually selling this car badge free, and customers in China could choose which emblem to stick on their bonnet...Ford, Opel, Kia, Lexus.....mmm, globalisation!
Lovely evolution of the 6 series. All the BMW distinct marks are there - the c-pillar, l-shaped rear lights, the kidney grills. These are the unique marks of the BMW brand. BMW continues to move into the 21st century creating bench mark vehicles. Look at how all the others, Mercs included have followed the design trends. Undoubtedly there will be some variations to the real thing when the metal is produced. But this is by far one of the loveliest designs around. Looks like Mercedes took a leaf out of BMW's book when they designed the new CLS.
I don't understand why there are soo many negative comments, I personally think it's a triumph of Design! Classy, elegant, proportioned, timeless, understated, much better than the current 6 series! If I was to be ultra critical, it would be the kidney grilles are just touch too wide, also Im not a fan of the chrome window surround prefer De-chromed. Interior, superb! nice use of light colours beige and cream. What puts me off about buying one, is the sheer number of BMW's on London roads, Exclusivity it isn't!! I shall be ordering a Maserati Granturismo instead.
is more elegant than anything BM have produced in years. How can anyone think for one second this is a good looking car, or a nice interior. Its horrible pure nastiness for any of those that think otherwise must still be wearing tweed or well in to there 50s!
i dread to think what some of your homes look like I really do.
There is only one reason anyone buys BMW's, a miss guided idea of what is right in a car.
As the trend in Munich seems to be to reduce costs and outsource design and build of low run models at BMW maybe this one will be built by MAGNA in Graz also?
Seems a good idea because then they can offer it at a much lower price to compete with HYUNDAI & Co? Its probably better than their coupe?
So tell me Mr AndyG what car do you drive? Which cars do you rate then or find elegant? While I appreciate everyone has their own views and cars are very subjective. It does annoy me when people comment and show total ignorance, no understanding of Design, no appreciation, just attacking! AndyG the new BMW 6 series might not be to your taste put please give a fair comment! I can assure you, if you ask most car designers, archeticts, interior designers etc... 90% will say the BMW 6 series is an excellent design!
JTravolta77.. No good asking that question! How would you know if it was the truth? The very phraseology used is that of either a devout "Clarkson Brian" or of a school boy!
"Its horrible pure nastiness”
I mean, that is not something an educated adult would say, more like a 14 year old!
"There is only one reason anyone buys BMW's, a miss guided idea of what is right in a car.”
The BMW is recognised in passenger car terms as one of the best engineered and surest handling Marques of car. It is safe, economical and the bonus is that it loses very little value compared to other makes. To say that I (who owns three and a Jag X-Type) and others like me have no idea what is right in a car is just puerile nonsense!
I have been involved with cars since I left school and have had some prettyy fine motors. I accept that a manufacturer can get a model wrong, but to follow your path, AndyG is just too much! No one make of car is rubbish. Even if you don't like a particular make, you can't think they are all crap! That just says more about you than it does about the cars! How about trying it? Try saying something nice about a BMW! You never know, you may find that you do actually like it!
Better still, actually drive one. Or an Audi or Merc...
For the record.
2007 E92 M3. V8 (Track Days)
2008 320D E90 M-Sport Edition (Wife’s Car!)
1996 M5 E34 V8 (Classic Toy)
2005 X-Type 2.2D Sport Estate (Business Load Luger!)
Oh, and yes, I am over 50, but it does mean you got ONE thing right in your post AndyG
Comments prove car design is v subjective. Have left Audi brand after >25 years (TT, RS4, RS6 etc) and had BM 645Ci - best overall car I ever had (RS6 truly awesome but tramlined). New 6 looks good to me but nose could have been better; rear reminds me of the Soarer. Closest car yet to meet my needs (GT, low Co2, massive torque etc) but long time to wait for 635/640d apparently (Sept 2011). My six cents - for ref my other car is UR Quattro 20v 1990 - still fabulous after all these years :-)
If nothing else, this article has elicited a lot of bigotted remarks. Seems "IMO" is a licence to say what you like [you know who you are] and slag off at anyone not adhering to your own myopic opinion. If you dont like [any longer] BMW's that cool, I've gone off them too.....viz the X6 and GT. BMW, like their German counterparts, seem less unable to sell more of their core models and instead are now totally pre-occupied with a mindless pursuit, down 'one-way streets' for niche markets that dont exist. The singular exception of the Germans doing extremely well selling their core models is Audi, who are going gang busters.
It was a pleasant balance to read of posters who have actually owned BM's, whereas I suspect most of the knockers wouldnt have a hope in hell of buying this new 6, because for no other reason that it will cost a motza.
If some of you cant avoid slaggiing off at another poster, DONT say anything......no one wants to read a load of drivel.
Finally, I'm curiously wondering how long it would take to familiaise yourself with no less that TWELVE steering wheel buttons. Surely gadget overkill !!
You know something, people really need to retune their thinking, open their eyes and grow up. Because if they don't, they will get a massive shock. I heard all of this when the current BMW 6 Series was unveiled, even more recently though, you said the same with the BMW X6, and to tell you the truth it's all a bit tiring.
Everyone hated the flame surfacing and said, "That won't sell" "No-one would be stupid enough to buy that"-respectively. Well, not to burst your bubble or anything, but the BMW 6 Series coupe and BMW X6 Coupe-SAV sold in their thousands. And they were- I may sound a bit anti-BMW here- controversial. But here's the thing, since when has being controversial been a bad thing? The concept is different- I'll grant you- but it looks stunning.
It reflects one of the best shapes ever to grace tarmac, the BMW 8 Series of the 1990s. And this is no bad thing. But let me ask you one thing. If you think this is ugly, have you looked at the Porsche Panamera, or the Mercedes E-Class?
Once again, it would seem you all turn against BMW. Yet give them chance to put it on sale and this will be the flagship coupe for the masses-within a month. You mark my words.
A niche is something different. It has a unique selling point. Something to offer, if not better than anything else on the market- then what was already there is brought together in a more complete package.
To refer to an earlier comment on the thread. The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is not in the market on it's own and was not made to create an unseen-unknown- market, but built, designed and created to rival the Mercedes CLS. Enter the latest addition to the German Superpower ranges; The Audi A7 Sportback. And you don't only have a single car, you have a market. A niche that people are buying into.
To come away from the Germans, since when have niches been a bad thing. the Nissan Qashqai is a prime example, it spawned The Ford Kuga and the latest Nissan, The Juke.
Plenty of people are buying them, and plenty more will for the coming years.
Niches are the future, although this statement bears a warning- Please god don't let the Americans try to make a crossover, because it WILL fail.
One thing that is readily apparent in this thread is that BMW polarizes opinion.
In my opinion (this is a democracy so I'm bloody well entitled to it), most modern BMW's are a bit hum-drum. BMW made their best looking cars in the '60s and '70s. The 2002ti and 635csl are particular favorites of mine. Being an adult I don't expect everyone to share my opinion, and that's cool. It's a shame one or two others posting on here don't adhere to this philosophy....
The '6' has never really looked good since the double headlight front end design of the 80's was dropped. The previous car was a bit of a minger. This is a massive improvement and apart from the front end it's a pretty car. BMW should think hard about going back to the double headlight design.
Rumor -
I have driven them, many a time have I been forced in to driving german cars for work. The latest been a 318 on a 10 plate, and oh dear god is that bland! Here is this list of german cars that I have driven just for special little you.
Merc Cosworth - The best of the bunch
Merc CLS
BMW 520d
BMW 318d
BMW 320d
VW Golf
VW Passet
Audi A6
And so you know, I have never nor will I ever buy a car based on value, safety and economy, they matter about as much as the smell of the air freshner! Maybe because I actually enjoy my cars and dont let my head rule what to me is a big passion, i have always bought with my heart and will always do so.
So here you go, here is your nice comment...the seats are comfy. Not really a reason to rush out and buy one is it.
Anyways you clearly dont like your little bavarian bloomers to be bashed, interesting that you accuse people of been childish just because they dont agree with your opinions, now tell me for a man over 50 does that not sound like a 12 year old to you eh!!
JTravolta77, sorry I missed your post.
I drive an Alfa Romeo Guiletta (The best looking hatch on sale today) as of only a few days ago, before that I was in a 147. Merc are doing well at making elegant and stylish cars, probably IMO the only german brand with anything close. Vauxhall and Ford are making cars much more stylish than anything currently made by BMW. Then there is Jaguar who are creating some of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen. Sadly for your point about design, I have been lucky enough to be involved in the 3D Modeling (yes I'm a DESIGN engineer) of some cars for a certain manufacturer so saying I have no idea about it is insulting.
Also have you dealt with architects? Another one I have to model things for on a regular basis, they generally dont drive great cars lol
You have taste! Yes I agree with you, The Alfa Romeo Giulietta & the 5dr Audi A3 are in my opinion the best looking hatches on sale today, both rise above, the sheer poor standards of Design set by it's mediocre common rivals! Sorry I didn't mean to offend, but in your first comment you did seem overly critical, without looking at the BMW 6 series from all angles, and giving a fair view. Apart from the 1 series 5dr hatch, X1, X6, Z4, 5 series GT which from a Design point of view are unsuccessful and ugly (BMW at it Capitalistic worst)! The rest the range BMW 1 series 2dr Coupe, 3 (Successor), 5, 6, & 7 series are beautiful and triumphant Designs. I would also like to add being a former 3D Design student, it's very apparent to me that only a few car Makers are standing out in Car Design these are; Audi, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, BMW (not all of the range), Maserati, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes, VW. The rest, Im afraid are poor!!
You make a very interesting point about BMW returning to the double headlight Design. I agree with you, when you look back to previous generation BMW models like the 3 series E21, E30, 5 series E28, 6 series E24. They had a beautiful proprtioned face, a real classical elegance about them. I can't see no reason why BMW couldn't reintroduce them. Afterall if you look at the Alfa Romeo 159, it's Triple Headlight Design works beautifully, probably (along with the Brera) the most stylish front end of any car, currently on sale today! I saw a 3 series 4dr E30 the other day in red and honestly! it still looks incredibly fresh and good-looking even today! Dare I say, even better looking than the latest 3 series!
This car looks fantastic. Very much like a cleaned up version of the old car - tossing out the dubious & inserting clean sharp sexy styling. The dash colours in the photo are hideous, however, the standard black dash will look great. I know it will be a delight to drive.
The BMW knockers out there - when you've got the bucks to afford one, then knock it. Until then, no one cares what you think.
It just simply doesnt do it for me the 6, not when you could have a Jaguar KX! That to me is a thing of real beauty, one day I tell ya, one day!! lol
The 1 series coupe has some erm..interesting proportions, it doesnt seem to sit right on its wheel base, they have tried to make a compact 3 coup but it kind of looks a bit squashed.
I agree with the E30 comment, that is one of the last BMW's I actually liked, somethng about the M3 vairety of that model, and I dont thnk your out of place at all to say its better looking than todays, fully agree with you. And the comment about the Brera is spot on! It is one of the most stunning on sale today, I was close to going for one instead of the Giuletta but due to having a baby on the way I had to go for the Giuletta but cant say I'm dissapointed with it.
Not about affording one! If i wanted I could have gone and got any 3/5 series in the range, but its not about money and never has been when I come to buying a car. But its for this monitary reason alone why ppl think BMW's are wannabes cars, they think it shows they have made it but it just doesnt.
..because it looks like Japanese a bit :D
Ok, I never liked BMW mostly because of their jerk and cocky drivers but respect to their own design trend they always had.
This one looks amazing form every angle except from the front so it's NOT wow sorry.
bland, bland, bland.....this is an unforgivable bit of automotive design from what is certainly the most revolutionary designer of cars in the world today. whatever happened to the lovely sweep of the previous 3 and 6 series coupes? and that taut tail? and the sweeping profile? and.....
BMW have absolutely ruined a very sporty and stylihs design. I only hope that this snub-nosed monstrosity dates fast enough.