These are some of the best spy shots yet of the new BMW 6-Series. Our man with the long lens not only snagged a couple of convertible prototypes with different color tops and much less camouflage than before, but he also scooped the car's interior revealing details of the cockpit.
Being based on the latest generation of the 5-Series, it comes to no surprise that the styling of the instrument panel, center console and even the steering wheel on the 6-Series are shared with BMW's premium sedan model. Elegant as it may be, we can't say we agree with BMW's "one style fits all" mentality, especially when it concerns a premium sports coupe/cabrio like the 6-Series.
On the outside, the Bavarian automaker's designers continue to tone down the controversial flame-surfaced styling of the Bangle-era BMWs, with the new 6er sporting a sharper and less complicated look with styling cues lifted directly from the four-door Concept Gran Coupe. The convertible model seen here will continue to use a traditional soft top.
Look under the body and you'll find chassis componentry and an engine line up straight from the new 5-Series. Powertrain options for both the coupe and convertible models are likely to include a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six petrol with 306HP for the 635i and a 407HP twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 petrol for the 650i. At least in Europe, buyers will also be able to opt for the company's 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel.
Depending on the engine, there will be a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a 8-speed automatic transmission.
The 2+2 coupe and convertible versions of the new 6-Series will be launched onto the market in Spring of 2011. According to the grapevine, the production version of the four-door Concept Gran Coupe, which is designed to rival the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7 Sportback and is due in 2012, will also carry the 6-Series badge.
