Bojan Vrbnjak
Number 6 has at BMW a very long tradition: the first 6 Series (1976-1989) is legendary, October 2023 but it will be a series 6 Gran Turismo for now, the last vehicle with this number to roll off the production line. Series 6 she returned 20 years ago and at the fair IAA 2003 presented coupes of the E63 series.
Late summer 2003 the vehicle was presented as a successor 8 Series Coupé (E31), which was discontinued in mid-1999. The design is similar to the concept vehicle BMW Z9, which was presented in 1999. It is also recognizable series 7 from 2001. No wonder, since this and the new 6 series were created under the controversial BMW's design managers Chris Bangle. Here and there, a powerful buttock can be discerned. Alone BMW was almost enthusiastic at the time: "The new 6 Series, which will later be supplemented by a 2+2 cabriolet, does not only mean exceptional dynamics and precision. This vehicle is characterized by a design with characteristic, flowing lines of tension, complemented by the harmony of elegant surfaces. The new BMW 645 Ci will set new benchmarks in the class of luxury sports coupes with its powerful yet refined engine, exceptional sporty driving characteristics and great roominess.” praised v press release.
Passenger cabin was placed far back and combined with very low roofline. Design elements on the front side walls loosened the silhouette 6 Series Coupé. Dimensions: length 4,82 meters, width 1,85 meters and height only 1,37 meters. In other words, a flat and powerful vehicle. Closed series 6 was designed as 2+2-seater car, allowing passengers in the rear seats enough freedom of movement. Its generously proportioned luggage space was designed to accommodate two golf bags and an additional case to suit the customers. The rather modern design language continued in inside. Similar to the new models series 5 and 7 all driving-related functions were located on or in close proximity to the steering wheel. Access to the controller of the then new control system iDrive was ergonomically designed; all comfort functions were easily accessible and operated even from the passenger seat.
4,4 liter V8 engine with fully variable valve timing Valvetronic, which we already know from the model 745, takes care of adequate driving power right from the start, as it provides 245 kilowatts (333 HP) and 450 Nm torque at 3600 rpm. This is a new series 6 Coupé allowed it to reach an electronically limited top speed 250 km/h, while the classic sprint from the city to 100 km/h took 5,6 seconds. This power can be transferred to rear drive axle through three different six-speed gearboxes, depending on customer requirements:
– with a six-speed manual gearbox,
– six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic system or
– Sequential manual transmission (SMG) with shift lever, etc. i. paddles on the steering wheel as in Formula 1
With "aluminum front part with reduced mass” (that's what the GRAV was actually called), which was significantly lighter than steel, with rear doors made of plastic and front hood and doors made of aluminum and front side panels made of thermoplastics, the dead weight was reduced to a weight of approx 1600 kilograms, and the distribution of the axle load to an almost ideal ratio 50:50. It was still unique in the large coupe market head-up display, which was for the new one BMW 6 Series available as an option and projected driving information into the driver's field of vision on the windshield. Other possible additions included active cruise control and an innovative panoramic glass sunroof with an electrically adjustable cover that was significantly larger than the sunroof and made the interior of the vehicle even more spacious and brighter.
In 2004 he followed 6 Series Convertible with an internal label E64. A new type of ribbed roof created a coupé shape - the ribs appeared to be wide pillars C. It was also used here in the beginning 4,4 liter eight-cylinder engine. Additional engines were gradually added to the offer: it was the basic one 630 with 258 and later 272 hp, 650 with a volume of 4,8 liters and 367 BAM, which already replaced the 2005 model in 645. For lovers diesel engines was available 635d with 286 hp. It came on the market at the same time as a moderate upgrade of the model in 2007. BMW had already forged the hottest iron of the 6 series two years earlier: M6 as a convertible and a coupe, then with a carbon roof. He weighed honey 1,7 and 1,9 tons, but he had to deal with the motorbike S85 from M5: five liters of working volume, ten cylinders, 507 BAM (373 kW) of power, 520 Nm torque and engine speed over 8000.
