Deep Dive: A Slimmer, Sexier BMW 6 Series for 2017

The Automotive Enthusiast · 12-14-2014, 08:23 PM

Quote:

The current BMW 6 Series is hardly the ultimate driving machine. Pretty? Sure. But it’s also overweight, poorly packaged, and soft-edged. Even the high-performance M6 is, in essence, a powerful grand touring car that feels more at home on the highway than on winding roads. All this will change with the debut of the new BMW 6 Series for 2017.
The big enabler for the change in character is an ambitious weight-loss program. Carbon-fiber elements, additional high-strength steel sections, a broader use of aluminum, and some magnesium and titanium parts should help the next 6 Series coupe drop to about 3,500 pounds, down from 4,000 pounds today. The next BMW 6 Series will also have a lower center of gravity and a more balanced weight distribution. Shorter overhangs and a wider track should make the car feel more agile.

It also helps that the BMW 6 Series’ platform, shared with the 3, 5, and 7 Series, is more flexible than before. It means the various body styles—coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe—can evolve separately to serve different audiences. To that end, the coupe and convertible will shrink to support the ambitious weight-saving efforts, but the four-door Gran Coupe will actually grow a bit longer to provide more interior room, addressing a shortcoming of most four-door coupes on the market today.
For all BMW’s recent focus on green cars, don’t expect a hybrid 6 Series, even though such technology is being developed for the next 7 Series. Instead, there will be a turbocharged inline-six engine delivering 350 hp and a V-8 rated at 475 hp. The BMW M6 will get the 600-hp, twin-turbo V-8 from the 30th Anniversary Edition 2015 BMW M5.

The BMW M6 will also feature active aerodynamic elements. (They’ll probably be offered on the rest of the range as well.) Rear-wheel drive will again be standard, with all-wheel drive as an option on all models, including the M6.
The net result is a car that aims less at the Mercedes-Benz CLS and more at the Porsche—which is exactly what outgoing CEO Norbert Reithofer is promising.

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...ries-for-2017/

SpokenHands · 12-15-2014, 10:48 PM

At this rate, my next BMW will be an Audi.

The Automotive Enthusiast · 12-16-2014, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpokenHands

At this rate, my next BMW will be an Audi.

Golden Arrow · 12-23-2014, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev ///Me

Quote:

The current BMW 6 Series is hardly the ultimate driving machine. Pretty? Sure. But its also overweight, poorly packaged, and soft-edged. Even the high-performance M6 is, in essence, a powerful grand touring car that feels more at home on the highway than on winding roads. All this will change with the debut of the new BMW 6 Series for 2017.
The big enabler for the change in character is an ambitious weight-loss program. Carbon-fiber elements, additional high-strength steel sections, a broader use of aluminum, and some magnesium and titanium parts should help the next 6 Series coupe drop to about 3,500 pounds, down from 4,000 pounds today. The next BMW 6 Series will also have a lower center of gravity and a more balanced weight distribution. Shorter overhangs and a wider track should make the car feel more agile.

It also helps that the BMW 6 Series platform, shared with the 3, 5, and 7 Series, is more flexible than before. It means the various body stylescoupe, convertible, and Gran Coupecan evolve separately to serve different audiences. To that end, the coupe and convertible will shrink to support the ambitious weight-saving efforts, but the four-door Gran Coupe will actually grow a bit longer to provide more interior room, addressing a shortcoming of most four-door coupes on the market today.
For all BMWs recent focus on green cars, dont expect a hybrid 6 Series, even though such technology is being developed for the next 7 Series. Instead, there will be a turbocharged inline-six engine delivering 350 hp and a V-8 rated at 475 hp. The BMW M6 will get the 600-hp, twin-turbo V-8 from the 30th Anniversary Edition 2015 BMW M5.

The BMW M6 will also feature active aerodynamic elements. (Theyll probably be offered on the rest of the range as well.) Rear-wheel drive will again be standard, with all-wheel drive as an option on all models, including the M6.
The net result is a car that aims less at the Mercedes-Benz CLS and more at the Porschewhich is exactly what outgoing CEO Norbert Reithofer is promising.

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...ries-for-2017/

Does this article confirm that the b58 motor will make 350 horsepower?

12-15-2014, 10:48 PM	#2
SpokenHands Certified Car Nut 93 Rep 458 Posts Drives: AMG GTC + RR Velar + 640d GC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Warwickshire, England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 F20 116i [10.00] 2013 BMW 640d GranC ... [10.00] 2013 Maserati GranT ... [9.00]	At this rate, my next BMW will be an Audi. __________________ Current: 2018 Range Rover Velar First Edition D300 HSE + 2018 AMG GT-C Coupe + 2013 6 Series BMW GranCoupe (October) Retired: 2016 AMG-GTS Coupe, 2013 & 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale,2016 3-Series Touring, 2009 5 Series GT, 2007 BMW M5, 2012 & 2006 BMW 1 Series
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