BMW 6 Series

BMW 6 Series
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1976–1989 2003–present
Assembly	Dingolfing, Germany[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer (S)
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW E9

The BMW 6 Series is a series of luxury grand tourers produced by the German automaker BMW.

The first was the E24, being derived from the first generation 7 Series, the BMW E23. The E24 was launched in 1976 to replace the 3.0CS & 3.0CSi (E9). In 2003, 14 years after production ceased, BMW released the all new E63/E64 which was available as a coupé and convertible, based on the chassis of the E60 5 Series sedan. Models were the 645Ci (later replaced with the 650i) and the 630i, while the highest performance model is the BMW M6. The third generation F12 and F13 6 series was released in 2011 for the 2012 model year, sharing a platform and some engines with the 7 Series (F01) and 5 Series (F10), and introducing a four-door coupé (fastback sedan) style, known as Gran Coupé.

The BMW 8 series is sometimes regarded as the spiritual successor to the E24 6 Series, being also available as a "CSi", however it had a substantially higher price point and performance than the preceding 6 Series.

E24 (1976–1989)

First generation
Overview
Production	1976–1989
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe
Powertrain
Transmission	4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual

BMW 635CSi (E24) coupé

The original 6 Series was launched in August 1976 as the successor to the E9 coupés, namely the 2800CS, 3.0CS and 3.0CSi. The new E24 chassis was safer than that of the E9, meeting new United States federal crash and rollover standards. This car had a 3210 cc engine with 197 PS (145 kW). In 1978 BMW debuted the 635CSi, with a 3453 cc SOHC, 218 PS (160 kW) engine and a top speed of 222 km/h (138 mph). The 635CSi could reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.4 seconds. The early cars were offered with a 5-speed 'dog-leg' Getrag gearbox. A four-speed automatic transmission became a more common option. The series underwent a significant change with the mid-1982 model, this included a 'normal' pattern 5-speed manual, or the more usual four-speed auto. A luxury version, known as the L6 arrived in the USA in 1987 with leather headliner and trim and other accoutrements. It was available only as an automatic.

In 1984 BMW took the M88/3, a modified version of the M88/1 from the BMW M1 and put it in the E24 chassis, creating the M635CSi, or M6. This had a DOHC 24-valve 3453 cc, 286 PS (210 kW) engine, with a top speed of 255 km/h (158 mph). The M6 also had improved suspension, brakes, and a close-ratio manual transmission.

E63/E64 (2003–2010)

Second generation
Overview
Production	2003–2010
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door coupé
Powertrain
Engine	six-cylinder petrol six-cylinder turbo diesel V8 petrol V10 petrol
Transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed automatic 7-speed SMG III semi-automatic

BMW 6 Series (E63) coupé (Australia)

The second-generation 6 Series (E63) was produced from 2003-2010, filling the hole in the lineup left since the end of the 8 Series' production. It is based on the underpinnings of the E60 5 Series. Compared to the 5 Series saloon/touring, the 6 Series coupe/cabriolet has more emphasis on performance as opposed to practicality and it is priced close to the flagship 7 Series saloon.^[2]

Car & Driver magazine commented that it "virtually defined the “Bangle Butt,” perhaps the industry's most obnoxious posterior." ^[3]

F12/F13 (2011–present)

Third generation
Overview
Production	2011–present
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door coupé 4 door coupé (2012)
Powertrain
Engine	six-cylinder turbo petrol six-cylinder turbo diesel V8 turbo petrol
Transmission	6-speed manual 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	112.4 in (2,855 mm)
Length	Convertible: 192.8 in (4,897 mm) Coupe: 192.7 in (4,895 mm)
Width	74.6 in (1,895 mm)
Height	Convertible: 53.7 in (1,364 mm) Coupe: 53.9 in (1,369 mm)

The third generation BMW F12 (Convertible) and F13 (Coupé) was released as a 2012 model at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show and New York Auto Show.^[4]

The engine range consists of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. The folding top is still cloth (compared to the E93 3 Series convertible which is equipped with a metal roof). The 640i and the 650i are available with all-wheel drive.

F06 Gran Coupe

The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (F06) was unveiled in 2012 Geneva Motor Show. It is a four-door saloon to provide a rival to the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS.^[5] Initially shown as the Gran Coupe Concept in 2010, which was based on the 2007 CS Concept, the Gran Coupe is available in 640i, 640d and 650i models.

Production and sales

BMW’s 6 Series Gran Coupé and the Paranal Observatory^[6]

Calendar year	Total production	US sales
2004	21,040[7]	8,198
2005[8]	23,340[7]	9,934
2006	21,947[7]	9,322
2007[9]	19,626[10]	9,033
2008	16,299[11]	6,533
2009	8,648[12]	3,549[13]
2010	5,848[14]	2,418
2011	9,396	3,903[15]
2012	23,193	8,208
2013	27,687[16]	9,762[17]
2014		8,647[18]

References

1. monocom gmbh Dingolfing. "BMW Werk Dingolfing". Bmw-werk-dingolfing.de. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
2. Mays, Kelsey (2008-06-03). "2008 BMW 650 Review by Kelsey Mays". Cars.com. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
3. http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2012-bmw-6-series-introduced-news
4. "BMW to unveil new 6 Series Coupe at Shanghai and New York Auto Shows". Bmwblog.com. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
5. Ecob, Kyle (11 December 2011). "BMW 6-series Gran Coupe news and pictures". Evo. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
6. "BMW and Paranal". ESO Announcements. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
7. "BMW-business-figures-1997-2006". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
8. "BMW Group Reports 2006 - Strongest Year Ever". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
9. "BMW Group U.S. Division Reports December Sales". Reuters. 2009-01-05.
10. "Annual Report 2007". BMW Group. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
11. "Annual Report 2008". BMW Group. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
12. "Annual Report 2009". BMW Group. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
13. "BMW Group U.S. Reports December 2010 Sales - WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/". New Jersey: Prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
14. "BMW Group annual report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
15. "BMW Group Achieves Second Best Sales Year Ever in the U.S. - WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/". New Jersey: Prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
16. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/netherlands/pressDetail.html?title=bmw-group-blijft-op-koers-in-2013&outputChannelId=32&id=T0171848NL&left_menu_item=node__804
17. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bmw-group-us-reports-december-and-2013-sales-238625731.html
18. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bmw-group-us-reports-december-and-2014-sales-300015792.html

• Kable, G (14. December, 2004). BMW unleashes M6 supercoupe. Autocar pp. 8–11.

External links

• BMW 6 Series webpage