BMW BLOG

In an interview for Automobile Magazine, BMW North American CEO, Jim O’Donnell, expressed his enthusiasm for BMW’s new generation 6 Series due to launch in 2011. Calling it “Best-looking BMW in years”, O’Donnell certainly gives hopes to everyone that the new redesigned 6er will be the high-end bimmer we have all been waiting for.

According to Mr. O’Donnell, the next next 6-series coupe and convertible will be radically different from the current cars’ styling. He agrees that the current 6-Series is very polarizing due to the “Bangle butt” it carries, but the redesigned 6er, will be a “super sleek” vehicle.

While O’Donnell doesn’t get into the specific design details, he mentions that the next-generation 6 Series will retain the overall dimensions of the current car, but it will more svelte looking. Unfortunately for the BMW fans, that’s all the information he was able to confirm at this moment.

2011 BMW 6 Series Rendering

But here are some of the information we learned in the past: the new model will receive the hardtop as seen in the BMW 3 Series Convertible and the soft top will NOT be an option. The bodystyle has been designed to accommodate the hardtop, so no raised up rear-end. The headlights will resemble in some ways the ones from the CS Concept, which is good news for the die hard CS fans. We also expect a larger than usual front-grille, a trend seen in the latest models.

As we mentioned many times before, the current engines are here to stay. The award winning twin-turbo 6-cylinder will power one of the entry levels models with its 326 horsepower, while the V8 twin-turbo 407 horsepower engine found in the new 7 Series will be found in the higher-end models.

Diesel fans have not been forgotten and the 6-cylinder diesel found currently in the 635d will “stick” around. The 354 horsepower Tri-Turbo 6-cylinder diesel is a great candidate for the new models as well.

BMW will also offer a 655 model, a hybrid version using the same technology as the upcoming BM X6 Hybrid and 7 Series Hybrid.

The 2011 BMW 6 Series will use the latest 8-speed transmission as well as the 7-speed DCT one. To make the 6er appeal eve more to car enthusiasts, a new damping system will offer four different sport settings from Comfort right through to Performance , including an option for efficient performance.

BMW Efficient Dynamics will play its role in the 2011 6 Series by utilizing the Start-Stop and Brake Energy Regeneration technologies.

The next BMW 6 Series will launch at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011.

[Source: Automobile Magazine ]