1 May 2011
The F12 6 Series convertible beat the similarly redesigned 'F13' 6 Series coupe to market by almost a year and became Australia’s first six-cylinder 6 Series, the 640i, which sat alongside the V8-powered 650i.
Both models came standard with 19-inch V-Spoke alloy wheels, adaptive headlights, keyless entry/starting, USB/Bluetooth with audio streaming, internet connectivity, adjustable lumbar support, seat heating, Professional navigation, a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, sports seats and BMW’s latest full-colour head-up display.
Also standard was High-Beam Assist, bi-Xenon headlights, cruise control with brake function, LED fog lights and daytime driving lights, Dynamic Driving Control, an alarm, ambient lighting, Dakota leather trim, iDrive infotainment system with 10.2-inch colour screen, a HiFi sound system and interior and exterior metallic paint.
In addition, the 650i added Adaptive Drive (combining Dynamic Damper Control and the Dynamic Drive active roll stability system), ‘Comfort’ seats, Surround View, a TV function, a Professional HiFi sound system with 80GB hard-drive and front seat ventilation.
Parking Assistant, which automatically identified parking spaces before parking the vehicle hands-free was optional on both variants.
The range-topping 650i’s 4.4-litre ‘TwinPower Turbo’ direct-injection V8 generated 300kW of power and peak torque of 600Nm between 1750 and 4500rpm – enough for it to sprint to 100km/h in a claimed five seconds and return fuel consumption of 10.7L/100km and CO2 emissions of 249g/km on the EU combined cycle.
The 640i’s direct-injection twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six, meantime, offered 235kW and 450Nm (between 1300-4500rpm) and could accelerate to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. It consumed 7.9L/100km and emitted 185g/km.
Both variants came standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel shift paddles, plus idle-stop, active air-vent and brake energy regeneration systems.
