| Range Update | Frankfurt Motor Show | BMW 6 Series | BMW 630i + BMW 635d + BMW 650i |
As politics continue to focus on the car as an unwanted source of CO
2 emissions, BMW is making sure we all know that it's doing its bit by rolling out the EfficientDynamics ethos across its line-up. The latest car to benefit is the 6 Series, which has undergone a mild mid-life update.
You'll struggle to differentiate the new 6 Series, as the aesthetic changes are few. The kidney grille is larger and the bumpers are redesigned, but the most obvious changes are a large new high-level brake light set into the trailing edge of the boot lid and new style alloy wheels across the range. Inside, tweaks are just as subtle, with an adoption of the
X5's bank of programmable shortcut buttons and a nice new tactile gear lever for the automatic models.
The big news is under the bonnet, where BMW has applied EfficientDynamics across the range, to include brake energy regeneration, "needs-only" operation of ancillaries such as the air conditioning compressor, reduced viscosity fluids for reduced friction, a gearshift indicator light on the manual models and active cooling/aerodynamic flaps behind the kidney grille. These changes are available on the new three-engine range, which includes the 630i, 650i and for the first time, a 635d, which is powered by the impressive 282bhp twin-turbo 3-litre diesel currently fitted to the
535d and
335d.
We can't think of a natural direct rival for the 635d, though scanning through the specifications of the revised 6 Series range, the 630i appears to be one of the stars of the range, with its low weight and new advanced direct injection helping it achieve decent performance, fuel economy and CO
2 emissions, all for £49,300. It compares favourably with the new 635d model, which admittedly has a significantly beefier mid-range, but starts at £56,110. A convertible 635d will also be available when the new range goes on sale in October, following a
Frankfurt Show debut.
Shane O' Donoghue - 1 Jul 2007