New BMW 6-Series convertible revealed

50 year-old business types, rejoice: BMW has revealed the new 6-Series Convertible.

The drop-top Bee-Em will go on sale in March next year, around six months before you'll get your paws on the coupe, and will launch with just two petrol engines - a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 in the 650i, and a turbo'd 3.0-litre straight six in the 640i. Confusing nomenclature, you will agree.

See pics of the BMW 6 Series Convertible

Still, the not-a-5.0-650i gets 407bhp and 443lb ft of torque, which is good for a five second dash to 62mph and 155mph limited top speed. The not-a-4.0-640i punches out 320bhp, 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and returns 35mpg. Both are mated to an eight-speed auto as standard.

The 6-er is 74mm longer, 39mm wider and 9mm lower than its elder, and - obviously - comes with many parts machined through the slim-fast grinder. The doors, bonnet and front axle are aluminium, while the side panels, roof lid and boot are made from glass fibre composite. It's apparently 50 per cent stiffer than the outgoing model too.

You get Drive Dynamic Control as standard, which allows drivers to adjust the throttle, gearbox and steering response, while the optional Integral Active Steering gives light rear-axle steer.

And it really is a 'soft' top, with a multi-layer cloth roof that opens in 19 seconds and closes in 24. Should you be late for a spot of golfing/businessing, both can be done at speeds of up to 25mph. BMW reckons with the roof down, the 300-litre boot capacity will swallow two golf bags, equivalent to a squadron of garden gnomes.

See pics of the BMW 6 Series coupe concept

Prices TBC nearer the launch date, together with an expected diesel variant at some point next year.

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