Review: BMW F13 6-Series Coupe (2012-18)

BMW F13 6-Series Coupe (2012-14)

Overview

Released in January 2012, the BMW F13 6-Series was a two-door coupe. Manufactured in Dingolfing, Germany, the rear-wheel drive BMW F13 6-Series range consisted of the 640i and 650i models. The 640i was powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six cylinder petrol engine while the 650i had a 4.4-litre twin turbocharged V8; both models, however, were fitted with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with steering wheel gearshift paddles. Drivers could also select from four levels of engine and transmission response, accelerator pedal progression, electronic stability control intervention and power steering assistance via the ‘Driving Experience Control’ module. In September 2012, the 650i benefited from a power upgrade.

EfficientDynamics

The 6-Series was fitted with BMW’s ‘EfficientDynamics’ technologies such as electric power steering, on-demand operation of ancillary components, low-rolling resistance tyres and ‘Brake Energy Regeneration’ which controlled alternator output to charge the battery when the vehicle was braking or coasting. The 640i was also fitted with:

• Auto Start/Stop which could shut down the engine when the vehicle was stationary;
• Air Vent Control which closed air vents when cooling was not required for improved aerodynamics; and,
• An ECO PRO driving mode which modified the engine management, accelerator mapping and the shift characteristics of the transmission for greater fuel economy.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to the E63 6-Series Coupe , the F13 6-Series was 74 mm longer (at 4894 mm), 39 mm wider (1894 mm), 4 mm lower (1369 mm) and had a 75 mm longer wheelbase (2855 mm). Furthermore, static torsional rigidity increased by 53 per cent. The F13 6-Series had all-aluminium double wishbone front suspension and independent, multi-link ‘Integral-V’ rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the F13 6-Series Coupe included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, cornering brake control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Features: 640i and 650i Coupe

Standard features for the 640i included 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 front and 275/35 R19 rear run-flat tyres, a HiFi sound system with nine speakers, a CD player, 12GB hard-drive, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5mm/USB/iPod) and Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, power adjustable and heated front seats, Dakota leather upholstery, BMW’s ‘Professional’ satellite navigation system with a 10.2-inch display, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, directional bi-xenon headlights with washers, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a full-colour head-up display, leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows and heated mirrors with folding function, power adjustable steering wheel, power-operated glass sunroof, tyre pressure monitors, front seat memory settings, courtesy lights, three 12 volt power outlets, electrochromatic door and rear vision mirrors, a power-operated park brake, an alarm and immobiliser.

The 650i was further equipped with a 600 watt HiFi sound system with sixteen speakers and a multi-channel DIRAC surround sound amplifier, ventilated front seats, digital TV tuner, BMW’s Surround View camera system and soft-close doors. The 650i was also fitted with BMW’s Dynamic Damper Control and Adaptive Drive systems, including Dynamic Drive active roll stabilisation. As such, the electronically controlled dampers could adapt to both the nature of the road surface and the driver’s style to prevent unwanted body movements, while the damping system adjusted the compression and rebound settings continuously and independently from one another.

M Sport package

The 6-Series Coupe was available with an optional M Sport package which included 20-inch alloy wheels, Anthracite headlining and a bodykit with more aggressive front and rear bumpers and side skirts; the exhaust system for the 650i was also modified for an ‘enhanced’ exhaust note.

Related links

• Specifications: BMW F13 6-Series Coupe (April 2014)

BMW F13 LCI 6-Series Coupe (2015-18)

Overview

Officially released in Australia in June 2015, the BMW F13 Series LCI 6-Series Coupe introduced cosmetic updates and a revised interior.

The BMW F13 LCI 6-Series Coupe could be identified by its Adaptive LED headlights (fitted as standard), redesigned kidney grille and new aprons (front and rear); the 640i was also fitted with larger tailpipe finishers. Furthermore, the F13 LCI 6-Series Coupe was offered with five new paint finishes: Jatoba metallic, Cashmere Silver metallic, Glacier Silver metallic, Mediterranean Blue metallic and Melbourne Red metallic.

Inside, the F13 LCI 6-Series Coupe introduced new high-quality surfaces, the latest generation BMW Head-Up Display (HUD) and the availability of bi-colour leather trim as an option.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the BMW F13 LCI 6-Series Coupe were extended to include BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant Plus’ which included:

• Forward Collision and Pedestrian Warning system with city braking function: used a camera to monitor traffic and obstacles up to 50 metres ahead of the vehicle. If the distance to an object ahead decreased such that there was a risk of collision, the driver would receive warnings (visual and audible) and the braking system would be primed. At speeds between 10 km/h and 60 km/h, the ‘city braking’ function could autonomously apply the brakes and apply maximum braking force to prevent or minimise the severity of a collision;
• Lane Departure Warning: operating at speeds above 70 km/h, Lane Departure Warning used a camera to monitor lane markings ahead up to a distance of 50 metres. If the system detected that the vehicle had unintentionally crossed a marking, the driver would be warned via steering wheel vibrations; and,
• Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function: operating at speeds between 30 km/h and 210 km/h, Active Cruise Control used three radar sensors to maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle ahead. With the Stop&Go function, the vehicle could apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to rest and, once the traffic ahead began to accelerate, automatically accelerate if the vehicle had been stationary for a period between 1 and 3 seconds. If the vehicle had been stationary for longer than 3 seconds, the driver would need to briefly press the accelerator or a button to initiate acceleration up to the previously set cruising speed.

Features: F31 LCI 640i and 650i Coupe

Standard features for the BMW F13 LCI 6-Series Coupe were extended to include DAB+ digital radio tuner, Adaptive LED headlights, BMW’s ‘Surround View’ camera system (previously limited to the 650i), soft-close doors (also previously limited to the 650i) and a sunblind for the rear window. The F13.II 6-Series Coupe was also fitted with BMW’s ‘Parking Assistant’ which used ultrasonic sensors to identify parallel parking spaces and could then steering the vehicle into the space while the driver operated the accelerator and brake.

The BMW F31 LCI 650i Coupe was further equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels.

2016 BMW F13 LCI 640i Coupe Individual

Released in Australia in January 2016, the BMW F13 LCI 640i Coupe was specified with the following BMW Individual features:

• Fine-wood trim in Piano Black;
• Extended Merino leather upholstery in Cohiba Brown;
• Brilliant White paint finish; and,
• High-gloss Shadowline exterior trim.

Otherwise optional features that were fitted as standard for the BMW F13 LCI 640i Coupe Individual included 20-inch double spoke M alloy wheels, a Harman/Kardon surround sound system, BMW’s ‘Comfort’ front seats, active seat ventilation, ceramic surrounds for controls and ‘M Sport’ package. Australian deliveries of the BMW F13 LCI 640i Coupe Individual were limited to two (2) vehicles.

Related links

• BMW Australia: BMW 6-Series Coupe
• Wikipedia.org: BMW F06/F12/F13 6-Series
• Behind the Wheel: 2017 BMW 640i Coupe Review