BMW 6 Series Sees Minor Changes for 2008
If you’re a 6 Series owner, chances are you won’t be salivating over the 2008 model when it arrives in the U.S. this fall. That doesn’t mean, however, that changes to the model are completely insignificant. Sure, at first glance the 650i coupe and convertible look a lot like the old models, but there are subtle changes to the front and rear styling, along with changes to the head- and taillights.
Under the hood is the same 4.8-liter V-8 producing 360 hp, with 60 mph coming in 5.3 and 5.6 seconds for the coupe and convertible, respectively. The major change to the car’s performance comes with a single automatic transmission option. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but the no-charge six-speed Sport Automatic transmission adds shift paddles on the steering wheel for manual selection of gears.
The 650i convertible also receives the new sun-reflecting leather first used by BMW in the new 3 Series convertibles. This keeps the seats up to 36 degrees cooler than regular leather seats. Another interesting technological option is a lane departure warning system. Other companies offer the same feature, which alerts the driver when they stray into another lane inadvertently, but this one makes the steering wheel vibrate, like a cell phone, to warn the driver instead of relying on an audible alert.
Prices haven’t been announced, but expect them to remain close to the 2007’s $74,700 for the coupe and $81,700 for the convertible. Also, check out the photo gallery below for more images of both 2008 6 Series models.
