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By EWAN
KENNEDY
23 November 2009
We
have written about several fuel efficient BMW models in recent
times. Small to mid-sized cars designed to reduce not only
consumption but also the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
pollutants into the air.
BMW is one of the world’s leading designers of engines so it
comes as no surprise that it's putting a lot of work into its
larger powerplants. Hence the invitation we received from BMW
Australia to sample several of its flagship vehicles and have done
several hundred kilometres in great driving country in picturesque
hilly areas outside Melbourne.
Power for the 6 Series as sold in Australia comes exclusively from
a 4.8-litre V8 engine. (Which is tagged as a 650i in the modern
day BMW fashion, perhaps to give buyers the impression it's a
5.0-litre, but who are we to say that?)
At any rate the engine’s fuel consumption has been trimmed
significantly and that's the important thing. Testing to
Australian Design Rule standards sees the engine now using 5.4 per
cent less petrol when installed in the coupe and 6.8 per cent less
in the convertible. The latter improvements are probably due to
some changes being made to the airflow over the convertible’s
body.
The actual fuel numbers for the latest model for 2010 (combined
test cycle) are 10.5 litres per hundred kilometres for the coupe
and 10.9 litres on the soft-top 6 Series.
BMW is very serious about retaining driving pleasure in all its
cars at the same time as it reduces their fuel consumption. Thus
these latest engines can power the 6 Series coupe to 100 km/h from
a standstill in just 5.2 seconds. The heavier convertible needs a
further 0.4 seconds.
We found overtaking to be ridiculously easy during our test
driving program. And we just loved the hearty growl from the
engine when it was asked to work hard. Indeed, there's a pleasant
V8 note even when you are puttering along sedately. Response to
the throttle is virtually instantaneous and the engine is happy to
rev to the heavens, yet doesn't mind trundling along at low speed
when forced to do so by traffic.
BMW 6 Series is a large high-performance cruising machine sold in
either fixed-head coupe or folding soft-top format. Big cars with
small cabins may seem selfish to some, but if you seldom need to
carry anyone in the back seat then why not go for a large,
lavishly equipped machine like a BMW 6 Series just for the pure
pleasure of driving it?
The revised engines sit under a newly designed bonnet. This time
around the stylists have given it what they call ‘arrow-shaped
contour lines’. The certainly looks good and tie in neatly with
the reshaped alloy wheels – this time with a diameter of 19
inches in place of the 18-inch units on the superseded model.
Tyres are low profile units with dimensions of 245/40x19 at the
front and 275/35x19 at the rear.
There are bigger changes inside the car, with the latest version
of BMW's controversial iDrive controller now being simpler to use
than before and which, in any case, can now be bypassed by using
conventional buttons instead. A large 8.8-inch screen makes using
the satellite navigation system safe and simple, and also lets you
watch TV when the car is stationary.
The satellite navigation information itself is now contained
within the unit instead of on a DVD, it can be updated when
required at a BMW dealership by way of a USB connection.
Also included in the entertainment and information system on the
latest 6 Series is an 80 gigabyte hard drive for audio files and
the like.
The
manufacturer’s list prices for the upgraded BMW 6 Series are
$227,300 for the coupe and $245,100 for the soft-top convertible.
On-road costs have to be added.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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