BMW Australia confirms new 6 Series GT line-up

Combining sports driving characteristics with luxury features, the 6 Series GT lift back is being positioned by BMW as a high-tech sports activity vehicle for family buyers.

The 6 Series GT replaces the outgoing 5 series GT, and was previewed at the Frankfurt motor show last month.

It shares the same platform as the current 5 series but is longer, lower and lighter than its predecessor, resulting in a sleeker design with improved cargo space.

While in Europe the 6 Series GT is available with a diesel powertrain, the Australian line up will be petrol only and includes a choice of two high-spec variants: the 630i GT ($123,500 plus on-road costs) and 640i xDrive GT, the flagship, retailing for $148,900 plus on-road costs.

The rear-wheel drive 630i GT is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which generates 190kW and 400Nm and is said to propel the GT to 100km/h in 6.3seconds.

And zero to 100km/h is one second faster (5.3 seconds) in the all-wheel drive 640i xDrive GT, which enjoys an inline six-cylinder engine with twin-scroll turbocharger to generate 250kW and 450Nm.

Both engines drive through an eight-speed sports automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

Advanced handling
The new 640i xDrive GT will be the first non-M Performance BMW passenger vehicle in Australia to include intelligent all-wheel drive. It’s a fully-adaptive system, normally a rear-biased 40:60 per cent drive split, but capable of delivering drive to all four wheels varying from 100 per cent front-wheel drive to as much as 100 per cent rear-wheel drive for optimum traction in all driving situations.

Intelligent all-wheel drive is enhanced with the addition of BMW Integral Active Steering which is already available as an option in the 7 Series and 5 Series, but will be standard in the 640i xDrive GT and optional in the 630i GT.

Working in conjunction with BMW’s electrically-assisted variable active steering, BMW says Integral Active Steering improves vehicle manoeuvrability and stability. At speeds up to 60km/h, the system can steer the rear wheels in opposition to the front axle; over 60km/h, the rear wheels angle in-line with the front axle.

Both BMW 6 Series GT models include adaptive air suspension which switches between eco, comfort and sport mode. In sport mode, ride height is lowered by 10mm, while in slow-paced manoeuvres, the vehicle can be raised 20mm to navigate obstacles such as speed humps.

The 6 series GT’s improved aerodynamics package includes an adaptive kidney grille which can open for additional cooling as required. Air breathers placed behind the front wheels further aid aerodynamic efficiency by channelling air through the air around the wheel wells.

In addition, BMW 640i GT xDrive buyers can option ‘Executive Drive’, including active anti-roll bars to further enhance both dynamics and ride quality.

Specifications
BMW Australia has chosen to specify two loaded premium models for the Gran Turismo’s debut down under, each with the M Sport package as standard.

Both the 630i GT and 640i xDrive GT promise a high level of specification and wide range of personalisation options.

Standard in both is the latest iDrive6 infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display boosted by a 16 speaker harmon/kardon audio system including two subwoofers.

The system, which includes app integration and wireless Apple CarPlay, can be operated by touch or voice-control, with gesture control available via the $1600 ‘Innovations’ package which can be optioned on both models.

A large, configurable head-up display integrates with a 12.3-inch customisable multi-functional instrument display screen to deliver information to the driver.

Wireless smartphone charging, ‘ConnectedDrive’, enhanced Bluetooth functionality plus four 12-volt and two USB sockets round out an impressive package for technophiles.

Advanced driver assistance technology, heralded in the new 5 series is included in both models. ‘Driving Assistant Plus’ features active cruise control with stop and go function, which is operable for up to 30 seconds. It also includes steering and lane control assistant, lane keeping assistant with active side collision protection, lane departure warning, front and rear cross-traffic alert, crossroads warning, evasion aid and rear collision prevention.

‘Parking Assistant Plus’ is also standard on the BMW 6 Series GT and features auto parking, front and rear park distance control, front view camera, rear view camera and surround view.

Comfort and convenience
The 6 Series GT lift back includes an automatic tailgate, allowing access to the large 610-litre cargo area (up from 500-litres on the 5 Series GT). Second row seating offers a flexible 40:20:40 folding configuration for easy loading and lifts total luggage capacity to 1800-litres.

Each model’s interior is clad in leather upholstery, Dakota in the 630i or Nappa in the 640i xDrive. Seats are heated in the front, with the 640i xDrive GT adding massaging feature. A standard panoramic sunroof adds more light to the cabin, while dual-zone climate control, extended to four-zones in the 640i xDrive GT, offers comfort to all passengers.

630i GT standard equipment
M Sport Package (Luxury Line available as a no-cost option)
19-inch BMW M double spoke light-alloy wheels
Adaptive LED Headlights
Automatic tailgate
Active rear spoiler
Panorama Glass Sunroof
Active kidney grille
Chrome Line exterior finishers
M Aerodynamics Package
M Sport Brakes
Adaptive 2-Axle Air Suspension with dynamic damper control
Ambient lighting
Comfort Access
Professional Navigation with iDrive6 and 10.25-inch touchscreen
12.3-inch multi-function display with black panel technology
Head-Up Display
Speed limit info
High Beam Assist
Driving Assistant Plus
Parking Assistant Plus
Eight-speed sports automatic transmission with gearshift paddles
ConnectedDrive Freedom
Wireless charging
DAB Digital radio
16-speaker harman/kardon surround sound system
Two-zone climate control air conditioning
Sensatec instrument panel
BMW Individual roofliner in Anthracite
Leather Dakota upholstery
Heated front seats with lumbar support

The BMW 640i GT xDrive as above plus:
xDrive all-wheel drive system.
20-inch BMW M double-spoke light-alloy wheels
Integral Active Steering
Metallic paintwork
Nappa leather upholstery
Front comfort seats
Active front seat ventilation
Four-zone climate control air conditioning
Ambient Air
Rear seats with electric backrest adjustment
Electric roller sunblinds to rear side windows

Luxury Line – available at no additional cost
As an alternative to the M Sport Package the Luxury Line is available as a no-cost option. This includes:
Luxury design 19-inch light alloy wheels (630i)
Luxury design 20-inch light alloy wheels (640i xDrive)
Specific front and rear chrome design elements
Chrome window frames and inserts for illuminated door handles
LED Fog Lights
‘Luxury’ badging on front side panels
‘Luxury Line’ door sill finishers
Sport leather steering wheel
Electric backrest adjustment to rear seats (630i)
Nappa Leather upholstery (630i)
Comfort seats for driver and front passenger (630i)
Active Seat Ventilation for driver and front passenger (630i)
Ambient Air Package (630i)
Automatic air-conditioning with four-zone control (630i)

Option packages
>> Innovations Package ($1,600 including GST and LCT)
- BMW Display Key, Remote Control Parking functionality and Gesture Control
>> Comfort Package (630i only, $3,000 including GST and LCT)
- Adds rear seat heating, four-zone automatic air conditioning, electric roller sunblinds to the rear side windows and electric rear seat backrest adjustment.
>> Indulgence Package (640i xDrive only, $8,000 including GST and LCT)
- Adds professional rear seat entertainment package, including two tilt-able, high resolution 10-inch rear screens and a Blu-Ray drive, operational via remote control. Also includes TV function, massage function and soft-close doors