2008 BMW 6 Series

NEW FOR 2008:

- Refreshed exteriors, with new head- and taillights

- Standard 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive headlights with cornering lights, active head restraints and Comfort Access

- Standard heated steering wheel and soft-close doors on M6

- Upgraded iDrive with enhanced display, six programmable memory keys and individual air conditioning switches

- Available sport automatic transmission with wheel-mounted paddles, Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go technology and Night Vision, and premium sound system

For 2008, the BMW 6 Series and M6 models receive several enhancements, including a mild facelift and new standard features. An available premium stereo offers an 825-watt digital amplifier with 12 speakers in cabriolet models, and 16 speakers in coupe models.

The 6 Series is available as the 650i, in coupe or cabriolet, with a 4.8-litre V8 mated to a six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic with manual shift mode; and as the M6, in coupe or cabriolet, with a 5.0-litre V10 with six-speed manual transmission or optional seven-speed sequential M Gearbox, which shifts automatically or can be operated via the gearshift lever or wheel-mounted paddles.

Features on the 650i include 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, 12-way heated leather seats, adaptive automatic Xenon headlamps with washers, fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers with heated nozzles, front knee airbags, alarm with interior motion sensor, power-folding auto-dimming mirrors, multi-function leather-wrapped wheel with electric tilt and telescopic, heated steering wheel, garage door opener, Bluetooth hands-free communication and CD/MP3 stereo. The coupe features a power sunroof, while the cabriolet uses a fully-automatic soft top.

The M6 models add an M-specific body kit, park distance control, Dynamic Cruise Control, heated steering wheel, and M sport seats.

A balance of strength and subtlety, the 6 Series offers superb driving dynamics, a high level of cabin luxury, a lightweight aluminum suspension and the choice of a hard or soft roof. The front seat is designed for tall drivers, the rear seat pretty much for people with no legs: consider this a 2+2 model.

The M6 models feature racing technology and materials, including a carbon-reinforced lightweight plastic roof on the coupe. There are almost 200 driver-selectable combinations of throttle response, stability control threshold, gearshift speed, suspension stiffness and even engine power, which can be set to 400 or 500 hp at the touch of a button. Enthusiasts will much prefer the six-speed manual, however, as the seven-speed gearbox tends to exhibit considerable lag between shifts.