Fascinating design, thrilling technical
features, athletic top-of-the-range performance – precisely these are
the ingredients offering four passengers unlimited driving pleasure with
only the sky above: Introducing the new 6 Series Convertible, BMW has
created a dream car in both its looks and technical highlights.
Thanks to its new side fin roof, the 6
Series Convertible, like the 6 Series Coupé, stands out through its
sheer presence and elegant lines – the fins offer the same visual effect
as wide C-pillars, with a coupé-like, exclusive look. And with the roof
down, the Convertible clearly reveals its unique character, skillfully
combining the athletic attributes of the sporting Coupé with styling
elements of a luxurious 2+2-seater Convertible. At very first sight,
therefore, the new Convertible offers a glimpse of the exceptional
driving agility so typical of the BMW 6 Series.
A car for the demanding
customer.
Driving with the roof down, the purchaser
of a convertible wishes to express his – or her – personal lifestyle.
Precisely for this reason, BMW has created this unique, authentic
variant of the 6 Series for the true aficionado of open-air motoring. So
that each and every customer is able to choose his own exclusive car
rendering his personal dreams in motoring.
In both cases the supreme innovative
power and exemplary quality standard offered by BMW guaranatee that the
Convertible and the Coupé come with optimum driving pleasure, supreme
motoring comfort, outstanding safety and everyday driving qualities all
in one.
V8 power unit for
dynamic open-air driving pleasure at all times.
The Convertible is entering the market in
the guise of the top-of-the-range 4.4-litre 8-cylinder BMW 645Ci.
Maximum output is 245 kW/333 bhp, maximum torque 450 Newton-metres/332
lb-ft. Infinite adjustment of virtually all relevant parameters such as
valve timing (bi-VANOS), valve lift (VALVETRONIC) and the length of the
intake manifolds enables the engine to adjust perfectly to all demands
and requirements.
The big advantages for the customer are
supreme power and performance, fuel consumption of only 12.8 litres
premium plus/100 kilometres or 18.2 mpg US on the manual gearbox model
and only 11.5 litres (20.3 mpg US) on the automatic transmission version
certainly economical for an 8-cylinder engine of this calibre, as well
as superior environmental compatibility (EU4/LEV). So this is definitely
an outstanding engine in an outstanding car, with qualities confirmed
not least by the International Engine of the Year 2002 Award.
Ideally combined with one of three
six-speed transmissions available on the new model – among them BMW's
well-known SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox carried over from Formula 1 and
controlled by buttons on the steering wheel – the 645Ci Convertible
offers a standard of driving performance only very few sports cars are
able to match: Acceleration from 0-100 km/h comes in 6.1 seconds (manual
gearbox version; automatic transmission model in 6.2 seconds) and top
speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph.
Lightweight
construction and drive assistance systems
for dynamic performance of the highest standard
Driving the 6 Series Convertible is a
genuine pleasure in every respect – particularly thanks to the
extra-stiff body which, benefitting from the special carrier structure,
reduces vibrations to a level otherwise only matched by an excellent
two-seater roadster and quite unique in the 2+2 convertible segment.
At the same time consistent lightweight
engineering limits the weight of the 645Ci Convertible to just 1815
kilos or 4002 lbs (manual gearbox model; automatic transmission version
1820 kg or 4013 lb), allowing axle load distribution of almost 50:50
again so typical of BMW.
Together with rear-wheel drive ideal on a
car with this kind of weight distribution and keeping the steering free
of any adverse influence from the drivetrain, the all-aluminium chassis
and suspension has everything required for driving characteristics far
above the usual standard even in this class, serving in particular to
ensure extremely precise response and behaviour.
Among the wide range of BMW chassis and
suspension control systems improving the very good regular suspension of
the 6 Series Convertible to an even higher standard, particular emphasis
should be given to DSC Dynamic Stability Control with its wide range of
features and "intelligent" Dynamic Drive available as an option. Dynamic
drive compensates body sway in bends almost completely and, by carefully
distributing sway motion front to rear, reduces the steering angles
required on the road. This, in turn, keeps the Convertible very stable
and calm under all driving conditions, allowing the driver to choose a
particularly agile, direct and sporting style of motoring.
Active Steering for
even better handling
BMW's innovative Active Steering serves
to additionally boost your safe and comfortable driving pleasure already
"standard" on the 6 Series thanks to BMW Servotronic. Now, benefitting
from Active Steering available as an option, the driver is able to
control his 6 Series Convertible even more directly at low speeds and,
as a result, with a far higher standard of agility and precision, while
the steering becomes less direct at higher speeds for even better and
smoother directional stability.
Active Steering also features yaw rate
control and is networked directly with the DSC system. It is thus able
to intervene at an early point in time via the steering angle on the
front wheels, stabilising the car and allowing small corrections, which
in turn reduces intervention of DSC Dynamic Stability Control in the
lower response range. In a nutshell, therefore, Active Steering and DSC
form an ideal team.
Adaptive Headlights for
even greater safety on the road
Optional Adaptive Headlights are another
breakthrough innovation from BMW. These headlights significantly improve
the very good illumination already provided by the bi-xenon lights on
the new 6 Series Convertible, the swivelling headlight units
illuminating the road ahead and the surroundings up to 90 per cent
better than before.
To provide this superior function, the control unit for the high and low
beams receives the latest information from the car's on-board network on
the steering angle, yaw rate, and road speed, swivelling the bi-xenon
headlight modules in both directions as required while on the road by
means of an electric motor. The result is a significant improvement of
safety when driving on winding roads at night.
Roof with perfect noise
and heat insulation
The newly developed roof clearly
underlines the practical qualities of BMW's new Convertible: The noise-
and heat-insulating layer made of PUR plastic between the rubberised
outer layer and the inner lining dampens exterior noise just as
effectively as it braves the wind and weather. The result is a very low
noise level within the 6 Series Convertible, allowing relaxed
conversation within the car even at high speeds.
The vertical rear window between the fins
on the roof is made of glass and is electrically heated. As a further
feature, the rear window can be retracted completely into the luggage
compartment bulkhead by means of an electric motor with the roof both
open and closed. This creates a draught-free ventilation effect similar
to that offered by a sliding roof in a saloon.
It almost goes without saying that all
side windows can also be retracted fully into the body of the car.
Opening with full power operation, the
softtop disappears completely within a matter of seconds beneath the
firm cover on the roof compartment. And once the roof has been closed,
the variable roof compartment folds up conveniently with just one turn
of your hand, providing even more space within the luggage compartment.
The all-electric process in opening the
roof starts with automatic release of the front roof bracket on the
upper windscreen frame, comfort opening enabling the driver to open or
close the roof completely from his cockpit simply by pressing a button
or turning the key on the door. Indeed, this you can even do when
setting off or in stop-and-go traffic up to a speed of 30 km/h or 20
mph, all windows closing in the process and the softtop locking and
unlocking.
The wind deflector, finally, turns the Convertible into a two-seater
almost free of draughts. And whenever you need all four seats, the
deflector folds up conveniently into the luggage compartment.
Driving comfort for up
to four adults
As a fully-fledged 2+2 convertible, the
645Ci Convertible offers all passengers supreme seating comfort,
luxurious features, and an ambience full of style and elegance.
Electrical adjustment of the driver's and front passenger's seats
featured as standard, with a triple memory function on the driver's
seat, adds the final touch of convenience to the seats finished in
sophisticated Dakota leather and with an ergonomic body contour.
Sports seats available as an option and
also adjustable electrically come with even firmer upholstery and offer
even better body support particularly under dynamic driving conditions.
A further feature in this case is the adjustable thigh supports.
Judging by the usual benchmark in a
convertible, the rear-seat passengers also enjoy the very best in style
and luxury: Although the roof is low and aerodynamic like on the Coupé,
even adults will enjoy ample headroom at the rear. The two extra-deep,
separate leather seats and the contoured backrests offer passengers good
side support.
Both rear seats are convenient to reach
thanks to Easy Access on the driver's and front passenger's seat. A big
advantage in this context is that the seat belts are integrated in the
front seats themselves, meaning that the passengers need not fear
tripping up when getting on to the rear seats or when getting out again.
Last but certainly not least, luggage
compartment capacity of 300 litres with the roof open and 350 litres
with the roof closed enhances the practical benefits of the new
Convertible. This is sufficient space for one large and one small
hard-shell suitcase or, respectively, two 46-inch golf bags plus a
medium-sized hard-shell suitcase. And thanks to optional through-loading
as well as the ski-bag, the driver and passengers are able to take along
two pairs of skis or a snowboard without limiting space available inside
the passenger compartment.
Dynamic harmony within
the interior
Inside, the Convertible bears a clear
resemblance with the 6 Series Coupé, again following the philosophy of
"dynamic harmony". The term "dynamic" relates in this case to the
tension and motion of surfaces and lines, "harmony" standing for the way
in which these surfaces and lines interact and relate to one another. As
a result, the interior corresponds perfectly with the attractive
exterior design of the 6 Series Convertible.
Perfectly finished materials such as
high-quality leather, wood or metal, as well as careful choice of
matched and contrasting colours in discreet style, create a luxurious
ambience without neglecting the need for superior function. Accordingly,
all functions significant to the driver are located ergonomically on or
around the steering wheel. And nearly all functions relevant to both the
driver and front passenger alike are to be found in the area of the
centre console.
The central control element in this area
is the Controller allowing the driver (and front passenger) to
mastermind nearly all comfort functions in the 6 Series Convertible via
the Control Display.
Head-Up Display
presenting the most important features to the driver
BMW's highly innovative Head-Up Display
available as an option projects important information while driving
directly into the driver's line of vision. This includes the current
road speed, navigation instructions, speed limits and feedback from the
Check/Control. The virtual image provided by the Head-Up Display is
presented in front of the driver seemingly on the road ahead, allowing
even more relaxed and thus safer motoring, since the driver is no longer
required to take his eyes off the road.
Innovative voice entry
system
Like the Head-Up Display, the innovative
voice entry system enhances BMW's iDrive control philosophy in the
interest of even greater motoring comfort and safety. This system is
available in conjunction with the Professional navigation system and the
Car Communication Computer (CCC).
The key feature of voice entry is the
option to select all essential iDrive comfort functions by voice entry
while driving, without taking one's eyes off the road even for a
split-second. This allows the driver to activate nearly all display
functions through his voice alone.
Since the system operates independently
of the individual speaker or voice, there is no need to train your voice
in a time-consuming process of trial and error.
An intelligent text-to-speech function
serves in addition to read out e-mails, SMS messages, the names of radio
stations, as well as lists of other selected items.
Entering defined short commands, the
driver is also able to activate an extended range of iDrive functions,
and last but not least the Control Center enables the user to access BMW
Online services providing selected internet-based options.
Audio system in HiFi
quality
A HiFi system with 8 loudspeakers fitted
as standard offers optimum audio quality for the driver and passengers
enjoying the new BMW Convertible. And the optional TOP HiFi system with
a total of 11 loudspeakers, finally, turns the new BMW Convertible into
a genuine open-air concert arena. In this case the central loudspeaker
integrated in the instrument panel, subwoofers in the rear side panels,
as well as the five-channel LOGIC7 equaliser concept ensure a
particularly authentic all-round sound effect in studio quality,
regardless of the audio format the driver may prefer.
Supreme passive safety
also when driving with the roof down
It goes without saying that the BMW 6
Series Convertible meets the toughest safety standards, one important
feature being the automatic rollbars fitted as standard and activated
whenever required, regardless of whether the roof is open or closed. The
new Convertible also comes with the most advanced restraint systems such
as inertia-reel belts with belt latch tensioners integrated in the seat
backrests, intelligently controlled head and side airbags, as well as
knee airbags for the driver and front passengers (USA).
Interacting with the ultra-stiff body and, in particular, the specially
reinforced A-pillars, these safety features in the 6 Series Convertible
offer excellent crash safety of the same supreme standard as in the 6
Series Coupé. |
