2017 BMW 6 Series Redesign

Buckle your seatbelt: it’s about to get fast and furious in the luxury auto world. Diehard fans of the BMW 6 Series have been eagerly awaiting the line’s redesign for years; as the release date draws closer, anticipation is ramping into high gear. According to industry experts, the updates and upgrades will transform the 6 Series Coupe, Cabriolet, and Gran Coupe into powerful “Porsche rivals.” What can we expect from the redesign? And will it be worth the wait?

Codename: G15

The first 6 Series, the E24, rolled off the production floor in 1976. Since then, it’s undergone a variety of changes. The most recent iteration – the third generation – is built on the same platform and with the same engine as the 7 Series and the 5 Series. BMW also added a four-door coupe, the Gran Coupe, to the family. The brand describes it as their “most exclusive offering, embodying the spirit of elegant grand touring in a most modern fashion.”

And there’s no doubt that this full-size luxury car is a stunning head-turner. Sleek and refined, it does the BMW name proud. At the same time, discerning drivers may have noticed a flaw or two in the 6 Series. A bit heavy. A tad soft in terms of performance. A little less than razor-edge handling.

While these qualities do not detract heavily from overall driveability and enjoyment, they certainly do present areas on which the iconic brand could improve. And so, they did.

The new 6 is, for the time, known as G15 (for the Coupe; the Cabriolet and Gran Coupe are codenamed G14 and G16, respectively). And you can expect a faster, lighter weight vehicle that is primed and ready to go. As former BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofer (who served during the redesign’s beginnings) said, this will be a “proper Porsche fighter.” Further,  it will embody the excellence and innovation of the BMW brand.

Lean, Mean Ultimate Driving Machine

Early reports indicate that engineers have used modular architecture to slim the 6 Series down. They have likely incorporated extra-high strength steel parts for stability and safety, as well as carbon fiber, magnesium, titanium, and aluminum alloy accents to cut weight. The result: nearly a 500 pounds gone.

In addition, the redesign team reduced overhang weight (overhang is the length of the car that extends beyond the wheelbase at the front and rear) and width and lowered the center of gravity.

The more streamlined physique of the BMW 6 Series will elevate cornering capability to a much higher level than its predecessors. Engineers promise that these changes will  make the updated models a great deal more agile – and even more exhilarating to drive.

Get Your Motor Running

BMW has already confirmed the engines that will power their new 6 Series. According to Car Magazine:

• BMW 640i: 3.0 L inline 6 cylinder, 347 bhp
• BMW 640d: 3.0 L inline 6 cylinder, 333 bhp
• BMW 650i: 4.4 L V8, 476 bhp
• BMW M6: 4.4 L V8 bi-turbo, 600 bhp

Do you have your new BMW 6 Series picked out yet? Whether you’re leaning toward the ultra powerful performance model or the smaller but mighty 3.0 L, you will undoubtedly be thrilled with the results of this massive redesign.

It’s likely that an eight-speed auto transmission system will be standard, and it will come with paddle shifters, spunky rear-wheel drive, and optional xDrive. Efficiency should be at the top of the class: the 640i, for instance, should achieve 20 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, while the 650i pulls 17 mpg city and 25 highway. In the world of high-performance luxury autos, these are terrific numbers.

Inside and Out

While details remain sketchy as yet, it’s likely that the new BMW 6 Series will feature exterior and interior updates that emphasize the slimmer, more streamlined mechanics. Whether that means narrow taillights in the style of the i8 or motorsport -inspired seats, we can only wait. And hope!

We can be reasonably certain that the updated models will be fully-stocked with BMW-class features, such as iDrive, Driving Assistant Plus, advanced navigation, intelligent energy management, Comfort Access, Intelligent Emergency Call, Concierge Service, and much more.

While the 6 Series is a completely solid, absolutely luxurious vehicle, one complaint that could be made is that it wasn’t quite sporty enough to be a true “sports car.” Problem solved. The redesign promises to address this concern and reveal a car that can not only compete against the Porsche – it can create a class of its own.

The new BMW 6 Series, by all accounts, is going to be well worth the wait. 2017 will be here before we know it; looking into BMW lease specials and offers so you can be ready to ring it in with a gorgeous, high-performance driving machine.