The newly arrived BMW 6 Series Coupe is a stunner, with its dynamic lines and athletic shape. Also stunning is the interior, supposedly modelled after the cabin of a luxury yacht. It’s all very nice, elegant and ergonomic, although I feel a little less aluminium and a bit more wood would give the cockpit more warmth.
In the equipment department, there is a hard disk-equipped navigation system, complete multimedia connectivity, a head-up display, a rear view camera and a glass sunroof – all standard in the 640i. Rear legroom is now pretty decent compared to the old 630i, aided by the 75mm longer wheelbase and a similar increase in body length, coupled with noticeably shorter overhangs.
This 3-litre 640i model is likely to be more popular here in Singapore than the 4.4-litre 650i. The gem of a 6-cylinder delivers sparkling performance, with its 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds just half a second slower than the V8, which makes the latter’s $45k premium harder to justify.
Twin-scroll turbocharged, 3-litre straight-6 develops a healthy 320bhp and 450Nm.
The 640i is quick enough for most people, but is more of a boulevard cruiser than a true sports coupe. In line with this, it offers Adaptive Drive, which labels its default mode as “Comfort” instead of the usual “Normal”. There is even a “Comfort+” setting. In my opinion, the default setting provides an excellent balance between comfort and handling.
The most extreme mode is called “Eco Pro”. This optimises the gearchanges and air-conditioning for fuel economy. It even calculates how much fuel you have saved on the drive. The downside is that it robs the car of fast acceleration and a cool “controlled climate”.
For some hot action over deserted country roads, select “Sports+”. This turns off traction control and allows more side slip – the 640i becomes more entertaining for the keen driver, in other words. The responses are impressive for a GT cruiser, and like in other current BMWs, the steering is precise and communicative.
With its significant increase in cabin room and luggage space, coupled with punchy yet accessible driving performance, the 640i is a practical everyday proposition if you don’t mind the inconvenience of two doors. The 650i is the flagship, but the “basic” 640i is actually all the 6 Series Coupe you need in the local context.
BMW 640i 3.0 (A)
ENGINE 2979cc, 24-valves, inline-6, turbocharged
MAX POWER 320bhp at 5800-6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 450Nm at 1300-4500rpm
GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 5.4 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h (governed)
CONSUMPTION 13.2km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE $355,800
Check out the latest BMW 6 Series Coupe
