The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will start in Detroit, Michigan on Monday, January 12, 2015. At just before 11 a.m., BMW will launch the world debut of the 2016 BMW 6 Series Coupe, 6 Series Gran Coupe, and the 6 Series Convertible in the form of the BMW M6 Convertible.
The stars will be the revised 6 Series models making their first official auto show appearance. The three generations of 6 Series have represented the BMW hallmarks of handling, technology, performance, comfort, and elegance. The BMW 6 Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe will continue in the U.S. as the 640i and 650i models. The BMW 650i Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe are powered by the BMW TwinPower Turbo V8 that cranks out 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque delivered through an eight-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission. This setup gets the cars from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds. The BMW 640i Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe use BMW’s TwinPower Turbo inline six, which generates 315 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, and is also mated to an eight-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission. The 640i models go from zero to 60 in 5.2 seconds.
A higher level of performance is found in the 2016 BMW M6 family—also in Coupe, Gran Coupe, and Convertible body styles. At the NAIAS in Detroit, the 2016 M6 Convertible will carry the flag for the M6 model range. It will come standard with full-LED headlights, as will all 2016 BMW 6 Series.
The M6 includes the unique M gills, side skirts, and the exclusive forged 19-inch M light-alloy wheels, with 20-inch M light-alloy wheels optional. Using a 4.4-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine that ups the output to 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, the M6 Coupe and Gran Coupe will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about four seconds. The slightly heavier M6 Convertible will take about three-tenths of a second longer.
The M6 uses either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic.
BMW 6 Series vehicles will start showing up in U.S. dealer showrooms during the second quarter of 2015.
Other BMWs will be featured in the Detroit show’s BMW Stand display area, but one thing that BMW fans might want to be on the lookout for is a prototype of BMW’s first drive module for its electric hydrogen fuel cell drive system. The display will show the structure for drive and energy storage components as well as the possible integration into a future Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV).
We’ve known for many years that BMW has a thing for hydrogen-powered cars, having built various models that use hydrogen to fuel internal-combustion engines. But lately, BMW has been working with Toyota to develop a hydrogen fuel cell to power electric motors. If BMW is ready to unveil a prototype fuel cell, we would guess that if there isn’t already a fuel-cell-powered BMW test mule somewhere in the R&D department, it’s probably not too far off in the future.
On a more immediate and practical level, BMW will present advancements in ConnectedDrive. For example, the BMW Stand will be showing over-the-air automatic map updating technology, which sounds a lot better than taking your car to the dealer to get nav data updated. BMW also says ConnectedDrive aims to minimize driver distractions by eliminating the use of a phone while driving and offering navigation and traffic assistance, providing an enjoyable and individualized driving experience. We’re not sure what that part about “eliminating the use of a phone” means but we hope it has something to do with hands-free calling.—Scott Blazey
Enjoy this video of the new BMW 6 Series models.
[Photos and video courtesy of BMW AG.]
