BMW's light makeover of the 6 Series range heightens the
luxury ambience of its interior and subtly strengthens the car's sporting
flavor. Always more of a grand tourer than a sports car, these changes leave
its character fundamentally unchanged. {The 2016 BMW 6 Series is a
high-performance luxury GT that sits at the top of the brand's range. It's
available as a coupe, {convertible or four-door|four-door or convertible} Gran
Coupe, but the two-door versions are the only cars discussed here. Both engines
are turbocharged, use eight-speed automatic transmissions and are available
with either rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive. High-performance M6
versions of all three body styles are available, and covered in separate
reviews. For 2016, the 6 Series range has received a light makeover,
identifiable by restyled LED head- and taillights, a reshaped front grille and
new bumpers.|The 2016 BMW 6 Series is a high-performance luxury GT that sits at
the top of the brand's range. It's available as a coupe, {convertible or
four-door|four-door or convertible} Gran Coupe, but the two-door versions are
the only cars discussed here. 2016 BMW 6 Series
The BMW 6 Series is available in three body styles: coupe,
convertible and as a longer-wheelbase four-door sedan known as the Gran Coupe,
which is covered in a separate review. Additional options on the V8-powered
650i include 20-way power seats, a dynamic digital instrument cluster, powered
steering column adjustment, a Harman Kardon 600-watt stereo and 19-inch wheels.
2016 BMW 6 Series
Slot the overly complicated shifter into "D" and
you'll waft off with an easy burble, the car's sophisticated refinement
immediately evident. {The BMW's ride reinforces this impression, too. If fitted
with the optional (and highly recommended) adaptive shocks (Dynamic Damper
Control in BMW parlance), their behavior can be altered via BMW's so-called
Driving Dynamics Control. This transmission console-mounted rocker toggles
through five settings ranging from an economy-oriented Eco Pro mode to Sport +,
which alter transmission and throttle responses as well as the optional
adaptive dampers. Even in the firm Sport+, (which also raises the intervention
threshold of the ESP anti-skid control, incidentally), the 6 Series' ride feels
comfortably pliant.|If fitted with the optional (and highly recommended)
adaptive shocks (Dynamic Damper Control in BMW parlance), their behavior can be
altered via BMW's so-called Driving Dynamics Control. Even in the firm Sport+,
(which also raises the intervention threshold of the ESP anti-skid control,
incidentally), the 6 Series' ride feels comfortably pliant.}
Keen drivers can specify still more hardware dedicated to
the art of cornering, including active sway control (Dynamic Drive Control) and
Integral Active Steering, which not only alters the gearing to minimize
wheel-twirling at parking speeds, but also steers the rear wheels to help the
car track more cleanly through curves.
{It also covers big distances in perfect comfort and
solitude if that's what you prefer.|If that's what you prefer, it also covers
big distances in perfect comfort and solitude.}
2016 BMW 6 Series
The 6 Series is impressive to sit in, its cockpit wide and
the high-grade leather seats facing a hide-covered dashboard that looks
{interestingly busy but well-ordered|well-ordered but interestingly busy}. {If
you're often carrying four passengers, then it's the four-door 6 Series Gran
Coupe that you need.|It's the four-door 6 Series Gran Coupe that you need if
you're often carrying four passengers.}
The 6 Series' new sports exhaust is switchable, turning it
noticeably less intrusive in the comfort and Eco Pro modes of the Dynamic Drive
Control, the result being a particularly restful cruise at speed. It's reasonably
well-equipped, too, with a potent stereo, a well-designed navigation system and
various BMW online services as standard.
2016 BMW 6 Series
The 640i's straight-6 automatic is rated by the EPA to
deliver 20 mpg in combined driving (21 city/32 highway), while the V8 650i
manages 19 combined (16 city/25 highway).
The Porsche 911 offers a more {dynamic and engaging|engaging
and dynamic} driving experience, but is less restful than the 6 Series at
speed, and its rear seats are even less usable. Why Should You Consider This
Car?
The BMW 6 Series coupe is handsome, it has presence and its
performance is delivered with entertaining civility. Couple this to secure
high-speed cornering, great cruising capability and decent supplies of driver
aids, and you have a terrific car for long distances ... or some high-speed
Sunday morning indulgence.
Why Should You Think Twice About This Car?
BMW's light makeover of the 6 Series range heightens the
luxury ambience of its interior and subtly strengthens the car's sporting
flavor. The 2016 BMW 6 Series is a high-performance luxury GT that sits at the
top of the brand's range. The 6 Series' new sports exhaust is switchable,
turning it noticeably less intrusive in the comfort and Eco Pro modes of the
Dynamic Drive Control, the result being a particularly restful cruise at speed.
And if you want to install passengers in the rear without complaint, the 6
Series Gran Coupe is a better choice.
