BMW 6 Series 2015 Review

Since being reborn more than decade ago, the 6 Series has been the trophy car for wealthy, self-made BMW buyers – especially in its biggest market, the US.

The same is true in Australia, where 80 per cent of buyers are already BMW owners and more than half plumb for the extra practicality of the relatively new Gran Coupe, a sumptuous four-door 'coupe' in the same vein as rivals like the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Audi A7, Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte.

Of the four engines available in the Gran Coupe here, the diesel is understandably the most popular, given the 640d is the same price as the petrol 640i ($184,900) and just as quick (0-100km/h in 5.4 sec), but it's far more efficient -- 5.7 versus 7.8L/100km.

In fact, aside from the M6, engines are unchanged across the 6 Series range, including the 230kW/630Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline six in the 640d (available only in the Gran Coupe), the 235kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-six in the 640i and the 330kW/650 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 in the 650i.

The latter uses substantially more fuel (8.8L/100km), but is only marginally quicker to 100km/h (4.6 sec) than the six-cylinder models.

Cosmetically, the 6 Series range gains only a new front bumper and more upright grille with nine bars instead of 10 and revised tail-lights, and yet all models are now $925 more expensive than before, bringing the cheapest model (the 640i Coupe) to $177,900 and the range-topping M6 Convertible to a tidy $308,600.

However, BMW says there is $14,000 worth of extra standard features for all models, including Adaptive LED headlights (already standard on Gran Coupe), Digital Radio, Driving Assistant Plus, Lane Change Warning, Parking Assistant, Soft Close Doors, Surround View, rear sunblind (Gran Coupe and Coupe only), rear side sunblinds (Gran Coupe only), wind deflector (Convertible only) and 20-inch alloys (650i only).

There are also four new BMW Individual paint colour choices (Citrin Black, Ruby Black, Moonstone Silver and Tanzanite Blue).

New $2800 options packages include Design Pure Experience (including bi-colour White/Black Nappa leather, Black Walknappa instrument panel and upper door trims, Ivory White lower instrument panel and ceramic control surrounds) and Design Pure Experience, comprising BMW Individual High-Gloss Shadow Line, bi-colour Cognac/Black Nappa leather, Black Walknappa instrument panel and upper door trims, Cognac lower instrument panel and Fineline Brown interior highlights.

Carryover standard features include Active Cruise Control, Selective Beam, Head-up Display, Surround View with Top View and Side View, reversing camera, active exhaust on all petrol models in Sport mode, leather seat and dash trim and BMW ConnectedDrive features like Intelligent Emergency Call, Internet, TeleServices, Concierge Services and Real Time Traffic Information.

Carryover 650i extras include 20- rather than 19-inch alloys, aluminium rather than black grille, oval-rather than round-section exhaust outlets, ventilated front Comfort seats16-speaker/600-Watt harman/kardon (instead of nine-speaker/205-Watt) sound, TV, Adaptive Drive and Dynamic Damper Control.

These are options on 640 models, while a no-cost full M Sport package is also among the extensive options list, along with ceramic control surrounds ($1100), Integral Active Steering ($3600), 16-speaker/1200-Watt Bang & Olufsen surround sound ($16,000) and even a range of custom touches like personalised floor mats from Individual Manufaktur, which is claimed to borrow the craftsmanship of BMW's ultra-luxury sister brand, Rolls-Royce.

The biggest changes are reserved for the 2015 M6 models, which continue to come standard with an M-fettled eight-speed automatic transmission,  full Merino leather upholstery with contrast stitching,  full-colour M-specific BMW Head-Up Display and the full-suite of BMW ConnectedDrive features including Concierge Service and Real Time Traffic Information.

M6 models now also gain DAB+ Digital Radio, Tyre Pressure Monitor and a wind deflector (drop-top only) as standard.

But the biggest change is the addition of the Competition Package as standard, bringing a more focussed chassis including stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, an Active M rear differential, more direct rack-and-pinion steering set-up with M-specific Servotronic function, black chromed exhaust outlets and specific 20-inch M alloy wheels.

The headline act of the Performance pack, however, is an upgraded engine enhancement program (literally; the changes involve only software)  that now adds 29kW of peak power (18kW more than the old, optional power pack) and 20Nm of maximum torque. That brings the twin-turbo 4.4-litre M6 V8's outputs to a mammoth 441kW/700Nm – the latter available over a broad 1500-6000rpm.

That's enough for the upgraded M6 Coupe and Gran Coupe to hit 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds – one-tenth sooner than the Porsche 911 GTS and two-tenths sooner than the 423kW models they replace – while the M6 Convertible is just 0.1 seconds slower.

The extra pace come at no expense to fuel consumption, with both coupe models continuing to consume 9.9L/100km combined and the convertible still returning 10.3L/100km.

The only catch is that the first Competition Package-equipped 2015 M6s don't enter production until July, meaning they're at least three months away from local delivery, although BMW says it will retro-fit the kit to vehicles sold before then.

Therefore, of the three updated 6 Series models available to sample at this week's local launch out of Brisbane, the sole M6 was not fitted with the more powerful 2015 engine, so we plumbed for one of the most popular models in the range, the 650i Gran Coupe.

Fitted with just a few of the plethora of optional extras, including exclusive Nappa leather ($3200), ceramic control surrounds ($1100) and piano black highlights ($1000), it oozed quality, opulence and exclusivity.

Look around at the white double-stitched black leather dashboard and door trimming and explore the electric-everything controls are it's clear what you're paying for here, even if the overall interior design is more conservative than its closest German rivals.

While its generous front seats are comfortable and supportive, the same can't be said the Gran Coupe's centre rear seat, which forces its occupant to sit on a pronounced hump with legs straddling the full-length centre console with rear climate controls.

The outboard rear seats are more spacious in all directions – and far more less cramped than those in the coupe or convertible – but if it's acres of rear-seat space you're after then go for the roomier but far more less stylish 7 Series.

Winding the aggression up even further was the no-cost M Sport Package comprising staggered 20-inch M alloys, black brake callipers, BMW Individual High-Gloss Shadow Line, BMW Individual Anthracite headlining, dark-chromed exhaust outlets, M leather steering wheel, M door sills and full M body kit.

But the piece de resistance of the circa-$240K 650i Gran Coupe is its thumping big biturbo V8, which belts out a glorious bent eight soundtrack -- especially in Sport mode -- accompanied beefier in-gear acceleration, super-flexible overtaking capability and enough low-down mumbo to make you wonder why you'd spend the extra $60K-plus for the M6, which delivers 25 per cent more power but just 50Nm more torque.

Reinforcing that thought is a wide range of chassis variability, with the Driving Experience Control system making a considerable difference to the sharpness of the ride, steering, throttle response, exhaust note and even the digital instruments, which glow red in Sport and Sport+ mode.

Throw in the full gamut of advanced driver aids, a sizeable 460-litre boot and a hefty 1940kg kerb weight (more than two tonnes in AWD guise form, not available here), and the five-metre-plus 650i Gran Coupe is a sumptuous five-seat grand tourer that's also a surprisingly accomplished sports car and one of the most elegant BMW sedans ever.

All of which should be enough for it to remain a popular choice among the more established 'grand' four-door coupes from its key German rivals.

2015 BMW 650i Coupe, Gran Coupe and Convertible price and specs:
Price: $231,900, $238,900 and $247,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 4.4-litre V8 turbo-petrol
Output: 330kW/650Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6, 8.8, 9.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 199, 206, 213g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

2015 BMW 640d Gran Coupe price and specs:
Price: $184,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 230kW/630Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 152g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

2015 BMW M6 Coupe, Gran Coupe and Convertible price and specs:
Price: $292,600, $299,600 and $308,600 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 4.4-litre V8 turbo-petrol
Output: 441kW/700Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.9, 10.1, 10.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: Not given
Safety rating: Not tested

What we liked:
>> More equipment range-wide
>> Improved power and pace of M6s
>> Design and packaging compromise

Not so much:
>> Almost zero design changes
>> Carryover mainstream engines
>> M6 buyers must wait for power upgrade

Also consider:
>> Audi A7 Sportback (from $115,400)
>> Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (from $139,900)
>> Porsche Panamera (from $204,600)