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Launched in convertible format initially, the new 6-Series is certainly less controversial in the styling stakes: less of a bustled rump and a smoother, sharper profile. Certainly in the pictures I saw before coming out, and on the stand at the Paris show, I was keen.
But I've mellowed towards it after driving it today. In real life, it's more of the same: there's nothing here that actively offends, but you can't help thinking that the car is lacking a certain something. On the road it looks nice enough, but nothing very striking. There's just not that much to get excited about.
See more pictures of the new BMW 6-Series convertible
Still, a 407bhp, 442lb ft 650i V8 should sort that, right? Well, again, not quite. The 650 weighs over two tonnes, so despite having plenty of get-up-n-go from the motor, the Six never really feels quite as fast as the figures suggest - five seconds to 60mph is respectable, but the car feels like a cruiser from the off.
It's also a tad firm on anything other than smooth roads - very German - and the active steering is about as tactile as remote surgery. I've got an eight-hour odyssey of driving tomorrow, so there's more to come, but first impressions are that there are no surprises here.
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
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Ultimatetopgear commented on this article
at 04:52 pm on 24 January 2011
How could they not like this car, it is supposed to be a cruiser and if you want a fast one get the new M6
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Ultimatetopgear commented on this article
at 04:53 pm on 24 January 2011
BEAUTIFUL Praise new stig and james may's luck that he had a windscreen when he was driving the atom
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Cloverleaf commented on this article
at 05:07 pm on 24 January 2011
It hasn't got the elegance of a Mercedes E-Class convertible, the sexiness of a Jag XK or even the originality of the old Banglian model... it's dull Rejected.
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sl33tz0r commented on this article
at 06:51 pm on 24 January 2011
actually I think the bangle version looks better. bimmers just seem to get worse, I just wish they bring back the e39 and the e46 back and keep them for another decade. I dont expect the M6 to be any better, they'll probably take the same 4.4 v8 readjust the turbos and VOILA, 600 donkeypower.
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nHeroGo commented on this article
at 08:05 pm on 24 January 2011
I always liked the Bangle version too, but nobody was allowed to say it. Finally the motor journalists got what they wanted - and sedated looking car that will just blend in with the rest. A-pillars on convertible cars should match the black roof in my world. The guy in the photos is tiny and makes the car look huge. Or maybe it is huge? 2 tonnes? That is nearly amazing. I bet it is rather smooth though.
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