Wednesday 10th December 2003

6 Series Convertible

Prices revealed for new drop top cruiser

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BMW has finally spilled the beans on the 6 Series convertible that will debut at the NAIAS, Detroit in January.

Priced at £55,355 on-the-road (manual) and £56,705 (automatic), the BMW 645Ci Convertible goes on sale in the UK from March 2004 alongside the Coupé variant.

A V8 engine, lightweight chassis and body panels and an almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution should make it a fun drive. Whether the looks will capture the public's imagination remains to be seen.

Available in either grey or black, the vinyl roof is raised and lowered at the touch of a button on the dashboard or via key fob activated remote control. In around 20 seconds - and at speeds of up to 20 mph - six hydraulic cylinders guide the compact roof into its housing, without significantly compromising luggage compartment space.

The designers have worked had at ensuring a ruffle free cabin even with the hood down. Minimal wind 'ingress' will ensure your barnet remains intact even when pressing on (up to 100mph in fact).

As with the Coupé, the BMW 6 Series Convertible achieves its maximum power of 333 bhp at 6,100 rpm with maximum torque of 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) available at 3,700 rpm. BMW's VALVETRONIC valve control and Bi-VANOS infinitely variable valve timing ensure that power is used as efficiently as possible.

Three six-speed gearboxes are available, including a standard manual and optional six-speed automatic with Steptronic. Completing the trio is BMW's optional SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox, with leather sports steering wheel-mounted 'up' and 'down' shift buttons.

BMW is offering its popular Service Inclusive package featured on BMW 5 Series and BMW 7 Series models. This Europe-wide service and maintenance package gives drivers five years or 60,000 miles of maintenance-free ownership for a fixed fee of £750. It is also fully transferable if the car is sold within that period.

[gemini]

Now that is one cool motor for lard arses

The service package is a dam fine idea _TVR take note!

[Alien]

Looks fabulous - that's a pile of cash though . . .

[smele]

Can't stand BMW's and there new look is not something I like at all. But I have to say that the roof looks good on this car. Especially like the flying buttresses at the back.

[Cupramax]

What is going on with the back end of that thing... YUK. Think I'd rather have an S4 cab when it arrives over here and save myself £10k or so.

[Marki]

Cupramax said:

What is going on with the back end of that thing... YUK. Think I'd rather have an S4 cab when it arrives over here and save myself £10k or so.

To my eye the S4 cab looks like an up turned bathtub

the 6 looks good ,,, im even warming up to the looks of the 7 series