More potent V8 for BMW 6 Series
BY MIKE COSTELLO | 6th Sep 2012
Priced at $238,800 plus on-road costs, the 650i joins the existing six-cylinder 640i ($184,800) launched here in July as a rival to the conceptually-similar Mercedes-Benz CLS.
Power comes from a substantially re-worked version of the 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 used in the previous 6 Series Coupe and Cabriolet variants, tuned to offer substantially more power and torque.
This revised engine, which now includes BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve control system and redesigned crankshaft, cylinder heads, valve gears and turbochargers, has also found its way into the revised 650i Coupe and Cabriolet, along with a $500 price cut.
The improved 650i Coupe and Cabriolet variants will now be priced from $231,800 and $247,800 respectively.
Power and torque figures for the direct-injection powertrain are now 330kW at 5500rpm and 650Nm between 2000rpm and 4500rpm, up from 300kW/600Nm in the previous iteration.
The trio of 650i variants will sit atop the 6 Series range for only the briefest of moments, with fiery M6 versions due in November (Coupe/Cabriolet) or early 2013 (Gran Cabrio).
All three M6 models will be powered by an even more hardcore version of the 4.4-litre twin turbo V8, producing 412kW and 680Nm. This is the same powertrain the powers the ballistic M5 sedan.
BMW claims all three 6 Series bodystyles with the new engine will do the zero-to-100km/h dash in an identical 4.6 seconds – three-tenths faster than with the previous engine.
Claimed fuel consumption has been substantially improved, with both hard-top variants consuming an impressively-low 8.9 litres per 100km (the previous 650i coupe used 10.6), and the revised 650i Cabriolet returning 9.2L/100km (down from 10.7).
The new 650i Gran Coupe comes with an almost identical list of standard equipment to V8 versions of the Coupe and Cabriolet, including soft-closing doors, four-zone climate control, ventilated/electric seats, satellite navigation and a 600-watt USB sound system.
Also standard are adaptive LED headlights, High Beam Assist, full colour head-up display, Surround View, and a host of active safety equipment including Adaptive Drive and Dynamic Driving Control.
| 2012 BMW 6 Series pricing* | |
| 650i Coupe | $231,800 |
| 650i Gran Coupe | $238,800 |
| 650i Convertible | $247,800 |
