BMW unveiled the next generation BMW 6 Series–the 2012 BMW 6 Series Concept–at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The sleek new design is modern by any measure, yet maintains the stately BMW extravagance-free appearance. It includes several new additions like full-LED headlights, smoothed rear and boot line, and a more emphasized face with a wider chin. BMW designers have listened to the critics and lost the controversial, widely-disparaged boot bump.
The 2010 BMW 5 Series earned only three out of five stars for driver protection in a frontal crash, but it did receive five stars for front passenger protection and front and rear side protection. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the 5 Series was awarded a top score of “Good” in the frontal-offset test but received the second-lowest rating of “Marginal” for side safety due to the potential for torso injury risk to riders seated in front.
Performance
The 2012 6 Series is based on the 5 Series platform. It will be offered with all the engines and transmissions seen on the 5 Series, from a 3.0-litre turbo diesel to a twin turbo V8. Watch for a M6 variation to include the new M5 driveline. The top of the line diesel model will be the 640d, powered by the N57 turbocharged straight-6 common rail diesel engine outputting 306 horsepower. The first U.S. 2011 6 Series model will appear in March of 2011 in the form of BMW 650i Convertible.Interior Specifications
The 2012 6 Series has a supremely luxurious, open interior. It makes great use of black leather and stainless steel. A new steering wheel fits more closely with the newly imagined design. The rustic shading of the dashboard ties the entire presentation together.Safety Features
The safety features incorporated into the 5 Series have made their way to the 6 Series as well, in the form of stability control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags plus front and rear side curtain airbags. Optional rear-seat side airbags are also available. The lane-departure warning system alerts the driver via steering wheel vibrations should the car begin to veer out of its lane. A night vision system displays hazards that would be beyond normal headlight range. The AWD models have standard hill start assist and hill descent control.The 2010 BMW 5 Series earned only three out of five stars for driver protection in a frontal crash, but it did receive five stars for front passenger protection and front and rear side protection. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the 5 Series was awarded a top score of “Good” in the frontal-offset test but received the second-lowest rating of “Marginal” for side safety due to the potential for torso injury risk to riders seated in front.