BMW 6-series Cabriolet

BMW’s sleek six has been caught earning its stripes at the Nurburgring in Germany. And despite the psychedelic livery, there’s plenty to be learned about the all-new 2011 model.

As you can see from the shots, the styling of the next 6-series will be a gentle evolution rather than a complete overhaul – much like the recently introduced 7-series. Shorter overhangs, a lower roofline and an 80 millimetre increase in wheelbase will give the car a lower and more muscular stance, while every panel has been redesigned.

However the overall appearance will be instantly famiiliar, even the fins on the back of the convertible’s fabric roof will be carried over – something BMW has tried to hide with the fake rear windscreen you can see in the pictures.

You might be wondering why we’ve scooped the convertible variant before the Coupe, but our sources have revealed that the rag-top will actually go on sale six months before the Coupe – in a bid to take advantage of the 2011 Spring sales boom.