Everyone now thinks there is no room for innovation in the executive luxury car class anymore. All you can do is offer a long wheelbase version, like how Mercedes did with the E-Class or offer efficient four-cylinder engines at a great price tag with tonnes of space on offer. BMW has done all of that and given the car a brand new shape, something that stands apart from the inside and outside.
Which means it gets you the attention you are looking for and on the inside, you are satisfied with the latest technology and luxury on offer. BMW has being doing it with the GT series and this time they have done it with the introduction of the 6 GT. A car replaces the 5 GT and fills the massive void between 5 and 7 series. How good is it? We try the petrol 6 GT to let you know how is it like.
Exterior
The GT design language of the BMW group resembles to a large coupe which has no shortage of glass area on the outside and the doors are huge as well. The proportion of glass and metal is big and the car ends up, also, sitting very low. All of this creates a sense of presence on the road which attracts all kind of motorists, including other luxury car users which was apparent while we drive. The 3 GT owners noticed a larger version of their car and were quite intrigued by it. The flowing and chunky head and tail-lamps units with LED lights add visual drama to the package.
The humongous bonnet and grille, in conjunction with small wheels (despite 18-inch on offer here) a bit of a miss here because this the sport line. The M-Sport variant with larger 19-inch wheels should make it look a bit more better. Overall, the size and proportions seems to be spot on and there isn’t any compromise in how the lines start and end which gives it a timeless and powerful look, especially in dark colors.
Interior
The plush interior is the highlight as it feels a small notch above the already quite well put together 5-Series. The pillar-less doors make the entry into the cabin even more special. The piano black used everywhere is high quality, the steering wheel is well contoured and the design is our personal favorite. The large dash using wood, piano black and leather wrapping all around gives it sense of a bigger luxury car then it is already.
Leather all around and a large features list below makes this cabin a very good place to spend a lot of time without second thoughts. The space in every aspect, be it leg, head, shoulder and knee room is a lot and easily is on par with its rivals and sense of space is even higher than some of its rivals. The seats in the front and rear are extremely supportive and extendable thigh support is electric and always a great addition for those long journeys.
Features
Ambient interior lighting extended with Mood lights including six selectable light designs, Automatic air conditioning with 4-zone control, two extra vents in B-pillar and cooling functionality for glove compartment, BMW Gesture Control, Electrically adjustable Rear Seats with added comfort; Headrest with comfort cushions in Alcantara Floor mats in velour. Instrument panel in Sensatec leather, Interior rear view mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function, Multifunction Instrument Display 12.3 diagonal display, adapted to individual character design for Drive modes, Multi-function and Sport leather steering wheel.
There is also a Panorama Glassroof, Rear-seat 40:20:40 split with through-loading system, Roller sunblinds for rear side windows, electric , Smokers package, Sport seats for driver and passenger with, Electrical adjustment for fore and aft position of seat, Electrical adjustment for seat height, seat width, backrest rake and, headrest height, Higher side bolsters and manually adjustable thigh support, Memory function for driver only, Steering column adjustment, electric and Welcome Light Carpet that illuminates at night to make ingress easier and safer.
Connectivity options include Apple Car Play, Bluetooth with audio streaming, hands-free and USB connectivity, BMW Apps, Hi-Fi loudspeaker system (205 W, 12 speakers) is good by segment standards. iDrive Touch with handwriting recognition with direct access buttons, DVD drive and integrated 20 GB hard drive for maps and audio files. There is also Navigation System Professional with Touch Functionality such as 3D Maps, 10.25 inch LCD, BMW Gesture Control, Configurable user interface.
Park Distance Control (PDC) front and rear, Rear-Seat Entertainment Professional, Two tiltable 10.2 screens in HD resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)with a BluRay® drive, Connectivity for MP3 players, game consoles, USB devices and headphones possible (headphones not included), Interface ports HDMI, MHL, USB to connect external electronic devices, Access to the vehicle’s entertainment functions (e.g. radio and DVD player) and a navigation system (driver independent navigation) is also part of the package.
Safety kit includes front Airbag, passenger & side airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist and Dynamic Braking lights, Attentiveness Assistant, BMW Condition Based Service (Intelligent maintenance system), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Crash Sensor, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) Electric Parking brake with auto hold function, Electronic vehicle immobiliser, Emergency Spare Wheel, ISOFIX child seat mounting, Rear doors with mechanical childproof lock Runflat tyres with reinforced side walls, Side-impact protection, pyrotechnic belt tensioners, at front and belt force limiters at front and outer rear seats and Tyre Pressure Indicator.
Engine
The engine is the 2.0 litre motor which makes 258 BHP and 400 Nm of torque. The motor comes mated to an 8-speed smooth, fast and slick shifting gearbox. NVH level are extremely low from the engine and only when poked, it purs a bit inside the cabin because of the damping inside the car is generous. The car has been tuned to make 6 more bhp over the version seen in 3 and 5 series. The torque at low-mid and top-end never makes the car feel under powered. The acceleration from stand still is good. The car still does 100 km/hr in 6.5 seconds which is great.
It retains the high fuel economy parameter as it is with this engine in other smaller BMW’s. You can derive 9 km/l in the city 13 km/l on the highway. The engine continues to be all aluminum engine which revs cleanly and quickly makes a raspy note at the top-end. Overall, the subtle tuning and despite it being a four-cylinder it does the job really well and doesn’t disappoint in any area, be it performance, economy or driveability.
Dynamics
While changing lanes at very high speeds, you sense body roll, even in sport mode. The tall-boy design lends it this character. The body roll, still, is in check, safe and in control. The ride quality for the most part, given at any speed is very good and the damping in comfort mode is soft, but not overally soft like the 3 GT. The sport mode actually makes it ride like a proper BMW.
Which is with poise and certain degree of comfort and no harshness being transferred to the cabin. Steering is very precise and light. Feedback increases as speeds get higher and once you put in sports mode. Brakes are good bite and progression.
BMW 6GT 630i Petrol Review, Verdict
The 6 GT is a great addition to the BMW lineup and breaks the monotony of the upper luxury executive sedan with its design and core strengths of the brand, which includes great ride and handling, lot of practicality, luxury, space and sportiness offered at the same time.
BMW has also priced it attractively at Rs 60.80 lakhs which is the reason since launch, BMW has done good numbers already and we already seem them quite a lot on the roads of metro cities. This time, BMW has gotten it just right. Finally the six series makes sense, a lot of sacrifice and time gone, but this time, it’s worth it.
