BMW 6-series facelift revealed

BMW has unveiled its updated 6-series coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe, as well as the updated M6 range. The updated 6-series line-up will be first shown to public at the upcoming Detroit Motor show 2015.

However, the changes to the BMW 6-series range are barely detectable. The biggest change on the exterior is a mildly re-styled front bumper and a kidney grille with a new look; the headlights are new and now come with a standard LED main beam set up. At the back, the rear bumper gets a minor styling tweak. The alloy wheels get a new design too, and the six-cylinder car will get 17-inch rims, while the V8 models get 18-inch wheels.

The interior of the updated 6-series range are of higher quality, there are two new colour shades on offer for the leather trim, and there is a standard heads-up display on offer too.

Mechanically, the updated 6-series line-up is the same as the earlier range. However, there is a marginal improvement in efficiency, and all the 6-series models are now EU6 compliant. They accelerate faster and have a better in-gear performance as well. The updated 6-series petrol motors now get a sports exhaust with a switchable flap as standard.

The petrol motors include a 316bhp 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged in-line six in the 640i, and a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 good for 444bhp in the 650i that has a claimed 0-100kph timing of 4.6sec and a limited top-speed of 250kph for the rear-wheel drive coupe.  The updated 6-series diesel range gets a 3.0-litre motor good for 309bhp in the 640d. This model is now more fuel efficient and has better emission control as well. A standard eight-speed automatic gearbox does duty in all models; it comes with remote steering wheel-mounted shift paddles too. The updated 6-series range also gets an all-wheel drive system for some international markets, which has resulted in a 75kg weight increase. However, it provides better traction.

The updated BMW M6 coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe come with the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol motor that is good for a massive 552bhp. The M6 range comes as a rear-wheel drive only, and channels power via a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox and an electronically controlled M-differential.  The updated M6 coupe does 0-100kph in 4.2sec and its top speed is limited to 250kph.  The updated M6 range is also available with an optional Competition Package which raises power by 15bhp and improves 0-100kph timing by 0.1second. The Competition Package also gets detailed suspension tweaks, a more direct steering ration and unique 20-inch wheels.

We expect BMW to bring the updated 6-series range in India sometime next year.