2011 BMW 6-Series Convertible Spied on Video: Is it a Hardtop or a Softop?

A pair of prototype models of the next BMW 6-Series Convertible have been spied on film. The folks over at Bimmerpost that posted the video support that, like the new Z4, the 2011 6-Series Convertible will most likely be equipped with an electric folding hardtop and that for now, the Bavarians are concealing the roof with a faux canvas top.

Unless someone goes and fiddles around with the top, there's no way of being 100 per cent certain, but looking at the creases on the roof, we'd say that these test cars appear to feature a classic fabric top.

In any case, the new 6-Series Convertible will continue to be a four-seater while we suspect that the styling will follow the cautious evolution of the firm's latest models like the Z4, 5-Series and 7-Series, with BMW's designers toning down the flame surfacing and eliminating the so-called Bungle butt.

Under the hood, the new 6er's engines will be sourced from the 2011 5-Series that was revealed last week. The range will comprise of straight-six petrol and diesel engines, and V8 petrols, including the 245HP 3.0-liter turbo diesel in the 630d, the new 306HP 3.0-liter inline-six with a twin-scroll turbocharger in the 635i and the 407HP twin-turbo V8 in the 650i. The M6 models will follow at a later date.

If BMW follows its typical product life cycle of seven years for the 6-Series, then we'll see the coupe version of the new Bavarian sports car / grand tourer breaking cover sometime next year with the convertible model following shortly after.

Via: Bimmerpost

Customized 1988 BMW 6-Series Coupe with M5 Engine: Priced at... $250,000!

Update: After dropping down to $45,000 for a day, the seller of the customized BMW 6er has reinstated the initial 'Starting Price' on eBay at $250,000. Here's what she he said:

"I decided today that it is not worth parting with my baby for less than $250,000. So the price starts here, regardless of any logic. It's mine and when someone wants it they have to pay my price to get it, period. Otherwise one shall build his/her own."

Yes, you read correctly; up until today, the asking price on eBay for this customized 1988 BMW 6-Series Coupe was a mouth-dropping quarter of a million dollars. Almost as insane as the $950,000 for the pipe-dream Plymouth Road Runner Concept we told you about in a recent posting. However, after a truckload of questions and suggestions but not a single offer, the seller decided to change tune and reset the auction setting a starting bid of $45,000.

So what's so special about this Bavarian 'shark', we hear you ask?

Well, aside from the obvious (rims, bodywork, special bodykit, full leather interior etc), the 1988 635 CSi Automatic has been completely overhauled mechanically with a 315HP 3.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine from the 1992 M5 E45 and a manual gearbox.

Overall, the seller claims to have spent over $20,000 in parts and more than five years of his life in building this project which he says comes to a total net cost of more than $92,000.

And while we truly admire his dedication to the project (read the detailed description on the eBay page), somehow we find it extremely hard that he'll even come close to breaking even.

On a side note, we couldn't help ourselves from looking at the pictures of the classic 6-Series again and again, thinking how well the coupe's "aggressively-elegant" design has aged and wondering if we'll be saying the same for its current day descendant in 30 years from now...

Link: eBay , Hat Tip to Greg!

BMW S.X. Concept Study for a Sportier 6-Series Coupe Replacement

The controversial styling of most BMWs since the first Bangle-butted 7-Series broke cover in the dawn of the new millennium has resulted in many independent design studies for numerous Bavarian models from amateur and professional artists alike. The S.X. seen here is a proposal for the next-generation BMW 6-Series that was created by Iulian Bumbu, a graduate of the Transportation Design Course at the Scuola Politecnica di Design (SPD) in Milan, Italy.

While retaining the characteristic flame-surfacing styling language of all modern BMW's, Bumbu's take on the new 6-Series Coupe does away with the Bangle-Butt while the low roofline combined with the long wheelbase and short overhangs offer the coupe a more dynamic stance.

We're not too fond of the Aston-Martin-esque front-end design but overall, it's better looking than the current 6er whichever way you take it.

Via: diseno-art

Unbelievable: German Driver Buys His 135th BMW!

Say hello to Klaus Hammerschmidt, a 73-year-old retired entrepreneur from Germany that has received the keys to his 135th BMW car, a spanking new 507HP M6 coupe equipped with the Competition Package. Talk about a loyal customer... The 73 year-old's first bimmer was a 1800ti from 1963. If you do the math, that comes to an average of 2.9 BMWs per year. All in all, BMW said that Klaus owned 26 BMW M-division models, 29 BMW Alpina cars and 80 other BMWs. Hit the jump to watch a short video of Klaus receiving his M6.

2011 BMW 6-Series Coupe-Cabriolet Design Study

The blogging crews over at BMWBlog and Promotor have combined forces to create a speculative illustration of a possible coupe-cabriolet iteration of the next generation 2011 BMW 6-Series Coupe. The artist obviously used the BMW CS as a canvas for the project, which according to our friend Horatiu, is still a 'work in progress'. Hit the jump to see the rear-quarter photo of the proposed hardtop BMW 6-Series and tell us what you think about it by leaving a comment below.

Source: BMWBlog & Promotor , Via: WFC

Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 6-Series Convertible

For those that have been following closely BMW's latest product reveals, it comes as no surprise that the next generation 6-Series Coupe and Convertible that are both due to be revealed by early 2011, will feature a less radical look than their current counterparts. While maintaining the overall shape of the outgoing model, like the new 7-Series and Z4 Roadster, the next 6-Series's exterior styling will cause less controversy as BMW has toned down the dramatic flame surfacing of its predecessor. Likewise, the current model's oversized "Bungle bootie" has undergone a strict diet or, so to say... and now looks better proportioned.

Even though the psychedelically camouflaged prototype model that was captured by our spies in Munich is fitted with a traditional canvas top, we're not at all convinced that BMW will retain this solution on the production model. We remind you that while the early Z4 test cars were equipped with a soft top, the actual production Z4 came with a retractable hardtop. Either way, the 6-Series Convertible will be able to accommodate four passengers in its cabin.

The engine range for both variants of BMW's GT model will comprise of four gasoline units and a six-cylinder turbo diesel. Aside from an uprated version of the firm's 3.0-liter naturally aspirated straight-six petrol unit, the 6-Series will also be offered with a 326HP 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six, a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 408HP while the M6 models will most likely replace the current 5.0-liter V10 with a twin-turbo V8 producing well over 500HP.

Man Brings To Life BMW 633CSI Cabrio from Back To The Future 2 Film

Sometimes we wonder what makes people like Ken Imhoff who built a Lamborghini Countach from scratch in his basement (click here) or in this case, Jeff Chabotte who restored the original BMW 633 CSI Cabriolet from the Back To The Future 2 film, do the things they do. Most wouldn't even bother, but then again that is exactly what makes people like Ken and Jeff so special. A vivid fan of the Back To The Future trilogy, Jeff Chabotte was presented with a unique opportunity in 2004 to buy the original "flying" 1976 BMW 633 CSI Convertible that belonged to the Marty McFly's enemy, Griff Tannen in the movie. -Continued

As you can see in the pictures provided by Jeff, the vehicle was in a pretty bad shape when he bought it in 2004 as it had been seriously neglected by the studio over the years. This didn't bother Jeff who was committed to restoring the "flying" to its original on-screen condition. However, easier said than done as many parts of the car were either missing or in terrible condition and had to be reproduced.

The restoration is now nearly complete but Jeff seems to need a helping hand to finish the project like repairing the drive train along with wiring the 320i taillights and making it roadworthy. So if you happen to own or know of a dealership in the greater New England area that's willing to help Jeff finish his project in exchange for displaying it in a showroom, feel free to drop us a line.

Via: Jalopnik