The third-generation BMW 6-Series->ke320 was unveiled back in 2011 and for the 2014 model year BMW->ke178 has announced a series of updates. The biggest one will be of course the addition of the new Frozen Brilliant White Edition, but next to it BMW is also offering a series of updates, mainly on the car's technology features.

The 640i Gran Coupe will now be offered with BMW’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system, and the navigation system will now be offered with a revised design and honed operating system. Other updates include redesigned navigation displays, new special functions for the interactive map and new functions for the split screen in the central information display. The navigation system will now be offered with a full speech-recognition function and optimized voice-control system.

No changes have been made under the hood, so customers will have to choose between the usual 3-liter six-cylinder and the 4.4-liter V-8 engine.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 BMW 6-Series.

2014 BMW 6-Series

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 BMW 6-Series
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 445
  • Torque: 480
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

No updates have been made on the exterior so, the 2014 6-Series will continue with the same unmistakable design. Up front a large and slightly forward-slanting BMW kidney grille dominates the view and it continues with a V-shaped hood that perfectly contours the headlights, grille and wide air intakes.

At the rear, the 6-Series features a pair of two-part, L-shaped taillights, plus a trunk lid with flatter surfacing.

Interior

On the interior, the 2014 6-Series continues to offer the same level of luxury, but it receives a series of technology updates. The navigation system receives a revised design and honed operating system, the menu now offers new functions and the interface offers revised graphics and 3D elements.

The map has additional function bars that allow the driver to customize it without leaving the map. The map also features an iDrive Controller that offers a quick and easy access to a host of options. The split screen offers new functions, including displaying the chosen location and a new zoom function that helps you see if the destination shown is indeed the right one.

The navigation system now offers a full speech-recognition function and optimized voice-control system. The new function includes a dictation function, which gives drivers the opportunity to dictate text freely and compose short text-based messages simply by saying what they wish to write.

Drivetrain

Under the hood, the 2014 6-Series keeps the usual engines. The 640i is powered by a 3-liter six-cylinder engine equipped with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. This engine delivers a total of 315 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. With this amount of power, the 640i will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and up to a top speed of 135 mph.

The 650i is powered by a 4.4-liter V-8 engine that delivers a total of 445 horsepower and a peak torque of 480 pound-feet. The 650i goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds and up to a top speed of 135 mph.

All models are now offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission and, for the first time ever, the 640i Gran Coupe will be offered with BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system.

Type/valves per cylinders

TwinPower Turbo Inline 6 / 4

Displacement

2,979 cc

Bore/stroke

3.30/3.50 inch

Nominal output @ rpm

315 horsepower @ 5800-6000 rpm

Maximum torque @ rpm

330 pound-feet @ 1400-4500 rpm

Compression ratio

10.2:1

Type/valves per cylinders

TwinPower Turbo V-8/4

Displacement

4395 cc

Bore/stroke

3.50/3.50 inch

Nominal output

445 horsepower @ 5500-6000 rpm

Max. torque

480 pound-feet @2000-4500 rpm

Compression ratio

10.0:1


Prices

Prices for the 2014 BMW 6-Series will be announced at a later date.

Competition

The list of competitors remains unchanged and since each model delivers pretty much the same amount of power and luxury we would say it will be just a matter of personal choice.

Jaguar XK Coupe and Convertible

The XK is powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 engine that delivers a total of 385 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The XK is also limited to 155 mph, giving it a 20 mph advantage over the 6-Series. If we refer to the 2013 model year, both models are priced at around $83k, so nothing different here.

Mercedes E-Class Coupe

In the U.S. market, the E-Class Coupe is offered with a choice of two engines: a direct-injected, 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine that delivers a total of 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque or a twin-turbo, direct-injected 5.5-liter V-8 producing 402 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Both engines will be offered with a 7-speed automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT lever and shift paddles.

Conclusion

With the exception of xDrive being added to the 640i Gran Coupe, the 2014 6-Series received very few updates. To be completely honest with you, though, it really didn't need any major improvements. Still, with all the technology improvements, the 6-Series manages to remain in front of its competitors.