NORTH AMERICA PREMIER

The New BMW 6-Series 2+2 Super Coupe
Paul Walker, your new car has arrived.

Driven and written by Vince Bodiford
Photography by Greg Jarem

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – It’s a good thing the new BMW 645Ci 6-Series wasn’t available when Paul Walker was filming 2 Fast – 2 Furious. This hot new Bimmer is freaky fast, drop-dead sexy, and down-to-earth. Paul Walker, your new car has arrived.

A half-hour towards the Pacific Ocean from Walkers hometown of Glendale, Calif., we based ourselves at the Beverly Hills Hotel for this exclusive first North American drive of new BMW 645Ci 6-Series – the much anticipated yet difficult to grasp Grand Tourer 2+2 Super Coupe and cabriolet that is just all about being the ultimate at what it is.

It matters little where you might drive this car – the twisties on Mulholland Drive, across the desert or up Pacific Coast Highway – what sticks in your craw is that you are driving it. Its shape and power and character consume you. It’s all about you – it’s all about the machine – all at the same time.

For those most likely to own the car in great numbers – including some of Hollywood’s top young guns – the New 6 is destined to become required equipment for anyone who appreciates automotive sculpture – if art can be automotive, it is the New 6. This is new. This is BMW in the 21st Century.

BMW has a long tradition of high-performing, luxurious 2+2 Coupes and convertibles. This perfect DNA inherit in this New 6 first took form in metal in October 1937 when BMW introduced an elegant new Cabriolet called the 327. In 1956, BMW unveiled the 503 coupes and cabriolet, designed by Count Albrecht Goertz – who, in the same period, designed the immortal BMW 507 roadster. A decade later, the venerable BMW 2000 CS took to the Autobahnen. Over the years, the CS evolved into many forms, including the mighty M6 and the superlative 327-hp, V-12 850CSi.

Our drive of both of the new BMW 645Ci Coupe and Convertible machines – apparently fresh off a Lufthansa flight from Munich – proved inspiring and confirmed that the DNA remains intact. Purely German, it was designed at BMW Designworks USA in Southern California by Adrian Van Hooydonk – arguably the worlds most gifted design genius who also carved the New 7-Series from similar clay.

With this new performance luxury coupe and convertible pair, the Bavarian automaker shows in yet another way its leadership in contemporary automotive design. From the bold BMW “kidney” grilles and the freely shaped lighting clusters flanking them – through a very long hood signifying power – through a sleek and graceful silhouette – to BMW’s characteristic and functional rear deck.

Taking flight out from under the Portico at the Beverly Hills Hotel, we pointed our new 6 onto Sunset Boulevard and headed to the beach, then up the coast, darting inland to challenge our machines against the magnificent roads of Southern California. Whatever the surface, however challenging the turn – what we asked of the 6 it gladly delivered without complaint or worry. It’s ride is supple, refined, sure and comfortable. Power comes on immediately; turns are consumed with ease and finesse.

Top up or down, coupe or convertible, there was little wind noise and just enough of the cool breeze and sunshine on our face. We have but one, minor complaint. We wish that the sunroof on the fixed coupe would open out all the way – it only lifts to vent at the rear. A fully opening sunroof is in order.

The all-new BMW 645Ci is powered by the award-winning 4.4 liter V8, which makes 325 horsepower and 330 lbs. Ft. torque. The new motor features VALVETRONIC, Double VANOS and a Variable Intake Manifold. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through six –speed transmissions: manual, STEPTRONIC automatic, and SMG. All the gearboxes are mechanical wonders that are set up in perfect balance.

The ride and performance benefit from lightweight body and chassis construction, adaptive Xenon headlamps, and Active Roll stabilization. Options include Active Steering, Heads-Up Display, and 13-speaker Logic7 audio system, satellite radio. The 645Ci does not disappoint – it is truly an ultimate driving machine.

Inside, BMW’s much talked-about iDrive five-menu system blends nicely into the overall look and feel of the interior, and it dominates the center dash area. Graceful sweeps of certain surfaces lend elegance and visual interest. The seats are supportive and comfortable. The steering wheel, instrument cluster, driving controls are all designed to encourage playful and frisky driving. This car invites an enthusiastic drive – right from the drivers’ seat, which is where most cars lose that exterior charm and personality.

VEHICLE CONFIGURATION: 2+2 two-door sport coupe. Front-engine, rear-wheel drive.

COMPARISION VEHICLES: Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, Jaguar XK8, Mercedes-Benz CL500, Porsche 911 Carrera.

HIGHS: BMW heritage and DNA is alive and well in the 6-Series. Dramatic design.

LOWS: Sunroof does not open all the way.

VEHICLE PRICING: Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), $69,995 Coupe; $76,995 Convertible; including destination, base models, not including government fees and taxes. Options and pricing varies, see BMW dealer for details.

FUEL ECONOMY: EPA Estimated: 17-mpg city; 25-mpg highway.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about BMW Group products, visit these information portals: www.bmwusa.com, www.bmwmotorradusa.com, www.miniusa.com, www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com.

LIFE’S A TRIP – ENJOY THE DRIVE. Be a safe and courteous driver, obey all traffic laws, buckle everyone up and never drive impaired. Copyright © 2004, by The Weekend Drive® All Rights Reserved. Images Copyright © Greg Jarem.