New BMW 640i Convertible
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 12 August 2011
I AM convinced I was the envy of many a motorist every time I pulled up at the lights in BMW’s latest 6 Series Convertible.
Heads seemed to swivel in my direction and kids tugged at their dad’s sleeve and pointed when I drove down the high street. I’m pretty sure it had everything to do with the beautiful 640i I was driving and nothing to do with me.
Work-of-Art
And who can blame anyone for wanting to take in the majesty of the new drop top Beamer? From the long sweeping bonnet to the unique fins of the soft-top, the car is a work-of-art. Complementing the fins is the ‘shark nose’ with a large, forward-slanted BMW kidney grille, broad air intakes, wide, contoured bonnet and muscular wheel arches. The whole effect is mesmerising.
Inside the 6 Series I felt instantly at ease behind the wheel. The car is very driver-focused yet comforting and enveloping. It’s also a treat to travel in for anyone joining you on a trip. Typically, 2+2 convertibles are compromised in the back, but passengers in the rear seats of the 6 have decent legroom. And fellow travellers will be able to access the rear easily - a brief tap of a switch automatically moves the seats as far forward as possible.
Speaking of switches, the automatic opening and closing operation for the black canvas roof is easily activated using a button on the centre console. It only takes seconds to open or close. Both operations can be activated while on the move at speeds of up to 25mph – something I was grateful for when the heavens unexpectedly opened during a roof-down trip through town.
The Drive
The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine in the 640i enables a zero to 62mph sprint of just 5.7 seconds and, where legal, the car will go on to reach 155 mph. The car literally snaps your head backwards when you floor it, yet, despite the cheek-wobbling acceleration, the BMW feels safe, composed and smooth at all times.
Even more remarkable, considering all its power and might, are its efficiency figures. The BMW 640i Convertible achieves 35.8mpg on the combined cycle, while CO2 emissions are only 185g/km.
The Toys
Of course, large, luxurious and sporting convertibles need to come packed with toys for the driver. And the BMW doesn’t disappoint.
Apart from the usual decent BMW music-media entertainment package (which can keep everyone in the car occupied for hours trying to work out how to use it), the 6 Series Convertible comes with Drive Dynamic Control, which allows you to choose how responsive you want the gears, steering and throttle to be. It’s a brilliant laugh toggling between the different settings and it makes the thrill of driving the 640i Convertible even sweeter.
Add BMW’s standard eight-speed Sport automatic gearbox to the mix and you have a car that is not far short of perfect. Its wide range of ratios offers the perfect balance of strong, sprinting performance, refined high speed cruising and low speed efficiency.
This is a car that should not be dismissed if a sophisticated four-seater soft-top is what you are in the market for - if you have the money!
PROS ‘N’ CONS
PROS
- Handling
- Performance
- Looks
CONS
- Expensive
FAST FACTS
- Max speed: 155mph
- 0-62 mph: 5.7secs
- Combined mpg: 35.8
- Max. power (hp): 320
- Max. torque (Nm): 450
- CO2: 185g/km
- Price: £65,695 On the road
