BMW, BMW 6-series Coupe Concept
Lately, BMW has been previewing its new production cars with 95-percent production-accurate “concepts” at major auto shows. At the 2010 Paris auto show, BMW is giving a glimpse of where it’s taking the 6-series coupe, and from the looks of it, the final product may become the most emotional thing in BMW’s lineup.
Immediately, the 6 concept appears stronger, more sculpted, and more harmoniously designed than the outgoing production model, which has a number of awkward “moments.” The face greets the world with a brighter gaze, thanks to higher-set all-LED headlamps that are cropped top and bottom by black trim, imparting both sophistication and a bit of aggression. The kidney grille becomes a true piece of jewelry, with glass inserts along the top ridge. Beneath all of that is a full-width air intake with LED fog lamps. It’s a busy nose, but one that is more attractive in pretty much every way than that of the 2010 6-series.
As with other recently redesigned Bimmers, flame surfacing is out, replaced by hardened lines above the waist and softer, more billowing surfaces below. Most notable are the swollen front fenders, after which a sharp, chiseled upper body emerges with its chopped greenhouse. And in back, there’s not much to say other than, “Hello, light-tube taillights; goodbye, Bangle butt.”
Sultry Interior
Expect more elegance inside the next 6er, too, if we can believe much of what’s been previewed here. An all-glass roof floods the beige interior with light, the better to see the flowing, driver-oriented dash and center-console lines, as well as the freestanding, chrome-rimmed 10.2-inch iDrive interface screen. Individual rear buckets that BMW says offer “first-class” comfort for long journeys seems to imply that the company is taking rear-seat comfort seriously with the next 6, something we applaud if it bears true. Notable features include matte-finish wood trim, a head-up display, and a 16-speaker surround-sound stereo by Bang & Olufsen.
BMW isn’t saying what powers this concept, or what might power the production version, which we expect to be on our roads within a year or so. Nor does it mention if there will be an attempt to reduce mass in any meaningful way, but the next 6-series will remain closely related to its 5- and 7-series brethren. We expect to get at least two non-M versions—a 640i and a 650i with turbocharged inline-six and V-8 engines, respectively. We should eventually see a convertible version as well as an M6, the latter with the more-powerful twin-turbo V-8 that will motivate the 2011 M5.
BMW also is poised to expand the 6er lineup beyond coupe and droptop body styles: The company has confirmed plans to build the Gran Coupé four-door, and it likely will be badged as a 6-series.
Lately, BMW has been previewing its new production cars with 95-percent production-accurate “concepts” at major auto shows. At the 2010 Paris auto show, BMW is giving a glimpse of where it’s taking the 6-series coupe, and from the looks of it, the final product may become the most emotional thing in BMW’s lineup.
Immediately, the 6 concept appears stronger, more sculpted, and more harmoniously designed than the outgoing production model, which has a number of awkward “moments.” The face greets the world with a brighter gaze, thanks to higher-set all-LED headlamps that are cropped top and bottom by black trim, imparting both sophistication and a bit of aggression. The kidney grille becomes a true piece of jewelry, with glass inserts along the top ridge. Beneath all of that is a full-width air intake with LED fog lamps. It’s a busy nose, but one that is more attractive in pretty much every way than that of the 2010 6-series.
As with other recently redesigned Bimmers, flame surfacing is out, replaced by hardened lines above the waist and softer, more billowing surfaces below. Most notable are the swollen front fenders, after which a sharp, chiseled upper body emerges with its chopped greenhouse. And in back, there’s not much to say other than, “Hello, light-tube taillights; goodbye, Bangle butt.”
Sultry Interior
Expect more elegance inside the next 6er, too, if we can believe much of what’s been previewed here. An all-glass roof floods the beige interior with light, the better to see the flowing, driver-oriented dash and center-console lines, as well as the freestanding, chrome-rimmed 10.2-inch iDrive interface screen. Individual rear buckets that BMW says offer “first-class” comfort for long journeys seems to imply that the company is taking rear-seat comfort seriously with the next 6, something we applaud if it bears true. Notable features include matte-finish wood trim, a head-up display, and a 16-speaker surround-sound stereo by Bang & Olufsen.
BMW isn’t saying what powers this concept, or what might power the production version, which we expect to be on our roads within a year or so. Nor does it mention if there will be an attempt to reduce mass in any meaningful way, but the next 6-series will remain closely related to its 5- and 7-series brethren. We expect to get at least two non-M versions—a 640i and a 650i with turbocharged inline-six and V-8 engines, respectively. We should eventually see a convertible version as well as an M6, the latter with the more-powerful twin-turbo V-8 that will motivate the 2011 M5.
BMW also is poised to expand the 6er lineup beyond coupe and droptop body styles: The company has confirmed plans to build the Gran Coupé four-door, and it likely will be badged as a 6-series.
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