BMW 6 Series gets light refresh

BMW has given its 6 Series large coupe and cabriolet line-up a mid-life refresh with a mild facelift, a range of new interior and exterior colours, more standard kit and a rethink of its Central Information Display.

Due in Australia next year, the lightly refreshed 6 Series range will wear a restyled version of BMW's iconic kidney-grille, re-sculpted front and rear bumpers, while all-LED headlights complete the new but subtle range look.

Six-cylinder variants also have bigger bore tail-pipes.

A new 20-inch wheel design adds another option to the list of personalisation choices, as will a new colour palette that extends to include Jatoba metallic, Cashmere Silver metallic, Glacier Silver metallic, Mediterranean Blue metallic and Melbourne Red.

The customisation items continue in the updated 6 Series range interiors, with two-tone leather now available as an option on all variants.

A updated and more user-friendly Central Information Display system completes the 6 Series refresh, which the German luxury car-maker now says functions in a similar way to an iPhone with more intuitive operations and attractive looks.

M6 variants now get Park Distance Control as standard and the option of a new Merino Aragon full-leather trim with stylistic accents in matching 'black chrome'.

In Europe the 650i, 640i, 640d and hyper M6 variants are available in convertible, coupe and four-door Gran Coupe body styles but Australia gets a more limited range with the 640d only available as Gran Coupe.

The local range currently kicks off with the 640i Coupe from $176,975 before on road costs and tops out with the $307,675 soft-top M6.

Local pricing and an arrival date are yet to be announced for the 2015 6 Series range.