BMW has finally revealed the production version of its new 6-series coupé at the Shanghai motor show.
The new two-door will follow the 6-series convertible into UK showrooms later this summer. It will provide BMW with a contemporary two-door rival to the likes of the Jaguar XK and Mercedes-Benz E-class coupé.
See the official pics of the new BMW 6-series coupe - now with Shanghai show pics
The coupé will initially come with a choice of two turbocharged, direct-injection petrol engines: a 3.0-litre straight six developing 316bhp and 332lb ft in the 640i, and a 4.4-litre V8 packing 401bhp and 442lb ft in the 650i. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that, in the case of the 640i, also gets a stop-start function for added fuel savings.
The 640i coupé is claimed to hit 62mph in 5.4sec — 1.0sec up on the 630i it replaces — while returning 36.7mpg on the combined cycle. The 650i coupé lifts performance further, with 0-62mph in just 4.9sec, 0.2sec faster than the old model, and a combined 27.2mpg.
Read Autocar's first drive of the new BMW 650i cabrio
Other engine options planned include a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel with 296bhp and 442lb ft in a new 640d model. And planned to go on sale late next year is a successor to the M6. It eschews the 5.0-litre V10 engine of the last model for a new twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8. BMW hints that it’s good for around 550bhp and 500lb ft.
Less bullish in appearance than its predecessor, the coupé adopts the same tautly surfaced styling treatment as the 6-series convertible. The new car is 75mm longer, 39mm wider and 5mm lower than its predecessor. The wheelbase is up by 75mm to 2855mm, providing the basis for added rear-seat accommodation.
Greg Kable
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