| First Drive | Munich, Germany | 2011 BMW 640i |
Key Facts
Pricing: from £59,550
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol, six-cylinder
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Body style: two-door, four-seater coupé
Rivals: Jaguar XK, Audi S5, Porsche 911 Carrera
CO2 emissions: 179g/km
Combined economy: 36.4mpg
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 5.4 seconds
Power: 316bhp at 5,800-6,000rpm
Torque: 332lb.ft at 1,300-4,500rpm
In the Metal: 
Save for the handsome raked roof, there's little to differentiate the 6 Series Coupé from its convertible brethren. It's a big old thing, with a seemingly endless bonnet and BMW's aggressive 'shark' nose. Squat and low, the new 6 Series sits five mm nearer to the ground than its predecessor and it's 39mm wider with a 74mm longer wheelbase.
Thick leather and aluminium abound inside. Supreme build quality is a given, while the swirly pillar that separates the upper dash and the centre console adds a welcome dose of pizzazz to BMW's classy but often sedate interiors. The back two seats are heavily bucketed but adults will still feel cramped in there.
Driving it:
BMW's wide adoption of twin scroll turbocharging has also reached the 6 Series. There's still a hefty 316bhp 2979cc straight six up front but it's more powerful and cleaner than its predecessor. The TwinPower turbo system helps to create a hearty 332lb.ft, which reaches its peak at 1,300rpm and remains fully available until the dizzy heights of 4,500rpm. There's simply bucketloads of shove and overtaking is rarely ever an issue.
There's a fine balance between ride and handling. Things are smooth, grippy and quiet enough when you want them to be, but the big 'six will rumble loudly and the wheels will break traction when you're feeling wicked. The electric steering is a little fidgety at very low speeds but it settles down on the move and offers decent, meaty feedback. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission makes the best of all the torque, but it settles the engine into sedate revs just as effectively.
Opt for the Adaptive Drive Package and you can toggle between sportier and more comfortable modes. The suspension, accelerator pedal, steering and gearbox settings are all sharpened or softened accordingly, and the most lenient Sport+ mode reduces the influence of driving aids, allowing much more slip from the rear wheels. Eco Pro mode lengthens the gearshifts and cuts the power, to maximise economy and there's a full complement of EfficientDynamics measures to help further.
What you get for your Money:
It's well kitted out, the 6 Series. Expect a leather interior electric memory seats, satnav, Xenon headlights with LED driving lamps and Park Distance Control all as standard, with plenty of opportunity to add gadgets like a reversing camera and colour head-up display.
The downside is the price - a lofty £59,550. An additional seven grand or so gets you into basic Porsche 911 territory, which you'll easily reach by adding the £4,665 M Sport pack and a few other goodies. What's more, the Audi S5, though smaller and less economical, offers a premium badge, sleek coupé looks and big performance for £42,965.
Worth Noting
Appealing though the 640i may be, it won't be the only 6 Series variant available. A flagship 650i with a 4.4-litre V8 and 401bhp will top off the range, while a 640d with a 3.0-litre turbodiesel lump is expected to account for the bulk (90 percent) of sales. Not surprising when you consider it offers 465lb.ft of torque and 51.4mpg.
A long wheelbase Grand Coupé version is due next year, which will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLS with its extra space. There are also rumours of an M6 powered by the 4.4-litre V8 from the new M5. We can only hope.
Summary
For a car that ended its life in 1989 then made a return in 2003 with styling that divided opinion across the board, the 6 Series has jumped through all manner of hoops to be where it is today. The latest itineration is a handsome, classy and thoroughly entertaining rear-wheel drive coupé. A high price tag and the shadow of an entry-level 911 count against it, but there's no denying the BMW's laid-back, old school appeal. It's a fine all-round package.
