A Drive of the New 6 Series, Offering a Glimpse into BMW's Roots

BMW 650i COUPE

Test Drive: The New BMW 6 Series Blends Tradition with Modern Demands

A luxurious coupe that embodies BMW's core values. The lineage of the beautiful 3.0CS, introduced in 1968 and popular in Germany, the US, and Japan, later renamed the 6 Series, continues unbroken to this day.

Text by OGAWA Fumio
Photographs by ARAKAWA Masayuki

BMW's Strategy for a Niche Market

BMW's venture into producing small-batch, well-crafted sports coupes was a strategic move to target a niche market that rivals like Mercedes (luxury sedans), Volkswagen (mass-market cars), and Porsche (sports cars) had not fully addressed. This was also rooted in BMW's long-standing tradition of building sporty vehicles since before the war.

The path of the luxury coupe truly blossomed with the first-generation 6 Series, launched in 1976. Its exterior, large yet elegantly sculpted, its luxurious interior featuring leather and wood, and its combination of a powerful engine and superb handling became synonymous with BMW.

The new 6 Series, introduced in Japan in the autumn of 2011, inherits BMW's tradition of the sporty luxury coupe while exploring contemporary demands for environmental performance, marking its novelty.

In Japan, the lineup consists of two models: the 640i Coupe (9.33 million yen) with a 3-liter inline-six turbo engine, and the 650i Coupe (12.35 million yen) with a 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo engine.

BMW 650i COUPE

Test Drive: The New BMW 6 Series Blends Tradition with Modern Demands (2)

Styling and Driving That Evoke Elegance

The 650i Coupe sits at the pinnacle of the 6 Series. Its styling dramatically shifts its image depending on the viewing angle. The front mask has a sculptural impression, as if carved from a solid block of metal and fitted with headlamps and grilles. In contrast, the rear view exudes elegance. It possesses a unique presence that seems perfectly suited to urban settings like Los Angeles.

Elegance is also a key theme for the 650i Coupe during the drive. The 4.4-liter V8 unit is central to this. Equipped with Valvetronic, BMW's variable valve lift system, and Double VANOS, which alters the cam profiles for intake and exhaust, it also features a variable turbocharger covering a wide range of engine speeds.

Abundant Torque from Low RPMs

This is not an engine designed for high revs; it generates a substantial 450 Nm of torque from just 1,300 rpm. Consequently, the car's operation is exceptionally smooth and enjoyable. The suspension moves with supple grace, and perhaps due to its weight, which approaches two tons, the ride is refined.

Sound insulation is also excellent. At typical driving speeds, transmitted noise from the engine bay and wheel wells, as well as wind noise around the windows, is remarkably low. Conversations can be held in hushed tones. Furthermore, while the steering response is not overly sensitive, the integrated active steering system, which controls both front and rear wheels, likely contributes to its ultra-smooth maneuverability, making it a pleasure to drive even in the city.

BMW 650i COUPE

Test Drive: The New BMW 6 Series Blends Tradition with Modern Demands (3)

A Unique Character Unlike Any Other

The definition of driving pleasure varies greatly from person to person. The 650i, despite its considerable length of 4.9 meters, offers a rare combination of agility, smoothness, and power, defining its unique character. It stands out with few rivals, making it a significant attraction.

However, as BMW champions the 'joy of driving,' evaluating the 6 Series primarily as a sporty car reveals that the 3 Series and 5 Series offer more enjoyment on winding roads. While the car's adherence in corners is impressively high, its size is noticeable on roads with a series of tight corners. Particularly when exiting small uphill corners, the engine needs to be revved more. The true forte of the 650i lies in city driving and high-speed cruising on highways.

The interior is covered in soft leather padding with elegantly curved lines, exuding a luxurious atmosphere. While the rear seats are not particularly spacious, it's unlikely to be an issue for most. A luxury coupe is typically a large car with a compact interior, fundamentally designed for two occupants.

If I were to offer a critique, perhaps the styling, including the window graphics and especially the side windows, could have emphasized elegance even further. Its coexistence with aggressiveness feels somewhat incomplete. Buyers of cars exceeding 10 million yen likely seek something distinctive. BMW might do well to deeply consider what unique value it offers, perhaps by looking back at its roots. After all, it possesses a valuable heritage.

spec