BMW 6 Series Coupe set for Shanghai debut

Earlier this year we drove the new BMW 650i Convertible and came away impressed , and now the Bavarian concern has released the first images of its hardtop sibling.

Due to make its debut at next month's Shanghai motor show, the new 6 Series Coupe carries over the basic proportions of the ragtop, but its rakish roofline gives it a more streamlined appearance.

The newcomer is also a far sleeker proposition than the outgoing (E63) model, which has been around since 2003.

Gone is the slightly confronting beak of the oldie, and in its place is a shark-like snout with a more pleasing headlight/grille treatment. The new model is also 39mm wider and 5mm lower than its forerunner, which gives it a squatter, more muscular stance.

Meanwhile, a 75mm stretch in wheelbase is said to provide more interior space, but our experience with the convertible led us to conclude the rear pews are best left to small children, or for short trips only.

As per the drop-top, the new 6 Series Coupe will be launched with a choice of two engines -- a 3.0-litre turbo six (640i) and a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 (650i).

Even the entry-level 640i is no slouch, as BMW claims the 235kW/450Nm turbo six propels it from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds and on to an electronically governed top whack of 250km/h.

Meanwhile, the 650i ekes out 300kW and 600Nm, and it sprints to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds and it's also limited to 250km/h. In real-world conditions, it's probably more or less as quick as the outgoing V10-powered M6.

Both powerplants are mated to an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission, and the 640i is equipped with an Auto Start-Stop function to cut fuel consumption in urban driving.

The new BMW 6 Series is offered with Electric Power Steering and optional Integral Active Steering (rear steer), while Drive Dynamic Control is fitted as standard. An extra outlay brings Dynamic Damper Control (enabling you to tailor damper settings) and Adaptive Drive (adjusts stabilisers and dampers to minimise body roll in cornering).

Other goodies include Adaptive LED Headlights (with cornering function) for low and high beam, while out back there are high-visibility LED taillights.

Inside, there's an armoury of techno mod-cons, ranging from BMW ConnectedDrive, the latest generation BMW Head-Up Display (with high-definition, full-colour-spectrum graphics), rear-view camera, Surround View, BMW Night Vision and Parking Assistant

Further 6 Series variants in the pipeline include a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel (640d) with 220kW and 600Nm and, of course, the inevitable M6, which will share its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with the imminent new M5.

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