Just as the new 6 Series Convertible glides into UK showrooms, BMW has uncovered full details of the Coupé version that will arrive this summer.
Set to be officially unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in April, the 6 Series Coupé will come with two twin-turbo engine options. The first and most popular with UK buyers will be the same 3.0-litre petrol as used in the BMW 5 Series saloon - with 316bhp and 332lb.ft of torque - for the 640i.
The BMW 650i will pack a 4.4-litre V8 with a twin-turbo punch of 401bhp and 442lb.ft of shove. While North American customers will be offered the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox, British 6 Series Coupé buyers will be limited to an eight-speed automatic as standard. In this form, the 650i offers 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and 27.2mpg.
The 640i will cover 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds and return 35.7mpg, but economy fans will have to wait for the 3.0-litre twin-turbo 630d that will pack 296bhp and a whopping 442lb.ft of lug. This is due on sale towards the end of 2011. Fast fans will have to wait even longer till the end of 2012 for the next BMW M6 that will be based around the same twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 as the new M5 saloon will use.
As with the 5 Series, the new BMW 6 Series Coupé is a more restrained development in looks than its predecessor. It's 75mm longer, 39mm wider and 5mm lower to give a sleeker look, while the wheelbase has been lengthened by 75mm to provide extra rear legroom and make the 6 Series Coupé more of a grand tourer.
BMW's EfficientDynamics measures will feature on every model to some extent, with the 640i coming with stop-start as standard. All models will have Brake Energy Regeneration, while the Coupé will also use the same Driving Dynamics Control system first seen on the BMW Z4.
BMW has yet to release prices for the 6 Series Coupé, but expect it come in at around £2,500 less than the just on-sale Convertible.
Click here to read our First Drive of the 2011 BMW 650i Convertible.
Alisdair Suttie - 13 Mar 2011