Carsales Staff•7 Sept 2012
NEWS
New turbo V8 for BMW 6 Series
BMW on a power trip with new turbocharged V8 for 6 Series rangeEarly adopters who purchased BMW 6 Series models over the past 12-months may be rueing their decision, following the announcement of a new, more powerful and fuel efficient V8 engine.
The German luxury car maker has announced the availability of the new 330kW V8 in its 6 Series coupe and convertible range, plus the Australian debut of the engine in the 650i Gran Coupe.
The new engine supersedes the existing V8 in both the 6 Series coupe and convertible, while the V8-powered Gran Coupe joins the six-cylinder 640i version of the sleek four-door launched two months ago
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Rubbing salt into the wounds of drivers of the ‘old’ V8 is the fact pricing for the 650i Coupe and Convertible has come down by $500 thanks to changes in the luxury car tax, meaning a list price of $231,800 and $247,800 respectively. The new 650i Gran Coupe costs $238,800.
BMW Australia spokesman Piers Scott said he didn’t believe owners of the existing 650i Convertible and Coupe models, launched in May and November last year respectively, would feel short-changed by the update.
“Obviously across our range we are constantly eking out power and efficiency gains on all our engines... but I don’t think any of our existing 6 Series customers are going to feel short-changed in any way shape or form by their engine,” said Mr Scott.
The new generation 4.4-litre V8 engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo now incorporates BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve control system. The system provides fully variable valve lift which works in conjunction with the engine’s variable camshaft timing, direct fuel injection and twin turbochargers for optimum power and efficiency.
BMW says the new engine features the same basic engine architecture as the previous V8, but incorporates a host of newly designed components including cylinder head, valve gear, crankshaft and turbo chargers.
The changes result in a power hike over the outgoing V8 of 10 per cent to 330kW at 5500 rpm, with maximum torque up 50Nm to 650Nm, available between 2000 and 4500 rpm. The new V8 is claimed to propel all three 6 Series variants (Coupe, Convertible, Gran Coupe) from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, nearly half a second quicker than the outgoing engine.
Fuel economy and exhaust emissions are likewise said to be improved, with identical figures of 8.9L/100km and 206g/km of CO2 for both of the 650i hard top variants, and 9.2L/100km and 214 g/km of CO2 for the 650i Convertible.
BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Mr Phil Horton said the BMW 6 Series has an emotional appeal unlike any other BMW.
“The 6 Series range combines striking good looks, opulent luxury and an enthralling drive,” said Mr Horton. “The range-topping V8 engine variant is without equal and is truly the pinnacle of prestige motoring in this class,” he said.
The next 6 Series release will be the M6 Coupe and Convertible in late 2012, while the diesel-powered 640d Gran Coupe is also on the “watch list” for 2013 – when the even hotter M6 Gran Coupe is due.
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Written byCarsales Staff
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
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