2009 BMW 6 Series

NEW FOR 2009:

- New available Sport Package of 19-inch double-spoke wheels, M sport suspension, M multifunction steering wheel, anthracite roof liner, contoured engine compartment lid, dark chrome tailpipes, enhanced exhaust sound, and available Imola Red or Carbon Black in addition to standard paint finishes

- Available Executive Package adds Sirius satellite radio; BMW Individual Audio System with Dirac Live replaces Logic7 sound system

For 2009, the BMW 6 Series is unchanged, save for a new available Sport Package, and enhancements to the optional Executive Package.

The 6 Series comes with a choice of two engines: a 4.8-litre V8 with six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic with manual shift mode in the 650i, and a 5.0-litre V10 with six-speed manual or optional seven-speed sequential gearbox (SMG) with manual shift mode in the M6. Both the 650i and M6 are available as a coupe or cabriolet (convertible).

Features on the 650i include 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic adaptive bi-xenon headlamps with cornering lights and washers, adaptive brake lights, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer jets, tire pressure warning system, front knee airbags, alarm system with interior motion detector, self-charging keyless fob, power-folding auto-dimming mirrors, Comfort Access, auto-dimming rearview mirror, dynamic cruise control, multifunction heated leather steering wheel with power tilt and telescopic, garage door opener, power windows, 12-way heated Dakota leather seats with three-position driver's memory, CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, BMW Assist, and iDrive with six programmable memory keys. The coupe includes a power sunroof, while the cabriolet has a fully automatic soft top.

The M6 adds M power function button, cross-drilled brake rotors, M6-specific sport suspension, M-specific body kit, park distance control, soft-close doors, ski bag, M-specific multifunction heated steering wheel, M sport seats in Extended Merino leather, Logic7 sound system, head-up display, and navigation system. The coupe includes a lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic roof and Alcantara roof liner.

Beautifully styled, the 6 Series is a large car, but the rear seat is very tight; consider it a 2+2 model. The 650i is great to drive, but the M6 includes almost 200 driver-selectable combinations of throttle response, stability control threshold, gearshift speed, suspension stiffness and even engine power. Enthusiasts will prefer the stick shift to the seven-speed SMG, which can be sluggish between shifts.