| First Drive | Llandudno, Wales | BMW 640d Coupé |
Key Facts
Model tested: BMW 640d M Sport Coupé
Pricing: £66,745
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Body style: two-door coupé
Rivals: Jaguar XK, Mercedes-Benz SL, Porsche 911
CO2 emissions: 145g/km
Combined economy: 51.4mpg
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 5.5 seconds
Power: 313bhp at 4,400rpm
Torque: 465.ft at 1,400-2,800rpm
In the Metal: 
Apparently the 6 Series Coupé is 'the embodiment of BMW design'. Unsurprisingly that means you'll be familiar with the styling, its pronounced grille similar to that on the 5 Series, the feature lines on its flanks and its window profile shared variously throughout the BMW range. It's a handsome rather than striking looking car, though the relative understatement actually adds to its appeal.
The driver-focused interior is all standard BMW fare too; the fit and finish is impressive, even if some of the controls are needlessly fiddly. Comfort is good up front, though the rear seats are strictly for occasional use only. A sizeable boot will swallow even the most ambitious visit to the American Golf discount shop - or accommodate suitcases for that oft-quoted cross-continental dash to Nice that all grand touring drivers apparently undertake with regularity.
Driving it:
With four different driving modes ranging from Eco-Pro to Sport+ the BMW 6 Series is trying to be everything for everybody. In fairness it does a convincing job, though we're not sure many will be able to detect the differences between Comfort and Comfort+. The settings are configurable, which is useful if you want some of the greater precision of the Sport mode without its penchant for hanging onto revs when passing though small towns that always punctuate good driving roads. The steering offers decent weighting and quick turn-in, though it's light on feel - and could do with a slightly less chunky wheel rim. Grip levels are high, the 6's balance largely neutral unless provoked and the suspension is impressively composed whether tackling a motorway expansion joint or a switchback, crumbling country road.
The eight-speed automatic gearbox is notable insomuch as you'll never really notice it working, not unless you take control of shifting gears yourself via the wheel-mounted paddles. You really don't need to. It's no surprise that the old '35d' engine took 93 per cent of sales in the UK, and the improved 3.0-litre turbodiesel adds power while gaining economy in its new home here.
There's effortless pace on tap thanks to plentiful torque, which is underlined by a 5.5-second 0-62mph time - that's only 0.1 seconds slower than the 640i petrol model. The diesel's torque advantage means it murders its petrol relation for mid-range urgency though, the ease by which the 640d gains pace giving it its effortless - and usually faster than you think - pace.
What you get for your Money:
The standard equipment list is lengthy and comprehensive, with electric leather seats, navigation, climate control, xenon headlamps and LED fog lamps among the standard kit. M Sport adds £4,655 over the SE model, but gains sports seats, M exterior styling and an M Sport steering wheel. Options include nonsense like night vision and useful extras like Parking Assist and a head-up display - which annoyingly is all but invisible if you wear polarised sunglasses.
Worth Noting
The BMW 640d isn't just fast; it's economical too. Drive it in Eco-Pro mode and it'll tweak everything to maximise economy. Officially it'll return a quite staggering 51.4mpg (for a car able to reach 62mph in 5.4 seconds) and emits just 145g/km. In the real world expect significantly less, but still impressive.
Summary
A superlative grand tourer, there are few real compromises in the new BMW 640d Coupé. Serious performance, impressive economy and fine dynamic ability add up to an extremely rounded and capable large two-door. Some might excite more, but few offer the 640d's impressive breadth of talent and ability.
