First look: BMW 6 adds drop-top

BMW has revealed first pictures of the 6 Series convertible ahead of its January launch at the Detroit motor show.

The drop-top is the sibling to the coupe launched at Frankfurt last September and both will arrive in Australia about May.

Pricing for the convertible is $220,000, almost exactly 10 per cent more than the coupe, which will be $203,000.

Both versions will debut in Australia at the Melbourne international motor show.

The Aussie-bound 6 Series convertible will share the same 245kW 4.4-litre valvetronic V8 engine as the coupe, with top speed limited to 250km/h with a 0-100km/h acceleration time of about six seconds.

The driver is able to open or close the soft-top by pressing a button or turning the key in the door lock. This can be done when stationery or in stop-and-go traffic up to a speed of 45 km/h.

One of the car’s most noticeable styling features is the vertical rear screen, which is flanked by fins that make up the wide B-pillar. The heated rear glass window can be electrically retracted with the roof both open and closed.

The roof of the 6 series convertible is a sound and heat-insulated layer of PUR plastic between the rubberised outer layer and the inner lining, minimising wind noise.

The roof takes up 50 litres of luggage space, limiting the volume to 350 litres - the coupe provides 450 litres.