Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
BMW 6 Series
| BMW 6 Series | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | BMW |
| Class: | Grand tourer |
| E24 | |
| Production: | August, 1976–1989 |
| Predecessor: | BMW E9 (CS, CSi, CSL) |
| Successor: | 8 Series |
| Body Style: | Coupé |
| E63 | |
| Production: | 2003–present |
| Predecessor: | 8 Series |
| Body styles: | Coupé Convertible |
| Engines: | 3.0 L (2996 cc) I6 4.4 L (4398 cc) V8 (N62) |
| Length: | 4820 mm (189.8 in) |
| Width: | 1855 mm (73 in) |
| Height: | 1373 mm (54.1 in) |
| Unladen weight: | 1690 kg (3725.8 lb) |
| Similar models: | Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Lexus SC430 Jaguar XK8 Cadillac XLR Porsche Boxster Audi TT Maserati Spyder |
| This article is part of the automobile series. | |
The BMW 6 Series is two distinct lines of automobiles from BMW, both coupés. The first was the E24, launched in August, 1976 to replace the 3.0CS and 3.0CSi. Initial models were the 630 CS and the 633 CSi. This was dropped in 1989 and after a short gap replaced by the 8 Series (E31). The second line is the entirely new E63, launched 2003 and produced currently.
E24 6 Series (1976–1989)
The original 6 Series replaced older BMW models (specifically, the 3.0CS and 3.0CSi). The new E24 chassis was safer than that of the E9 and met new United States federal crash and rollover standards.
The 630 CS used a 2986 cm³ Straight-6 M30 motor with a Solex 4A1 carburetor, making 184 hp (137 kW) at 5800 rpm. The 633 CSi used the same engine, but with a Bosch Motronic fuel injection system, which increased output to 200 hp (150 kW).
In 1987 BMW took the M88/3, a modified version of the M88/1 from the BMW M1 and put it in the E24 chassis, creating the M635CSi, the US variant of which was called the M6. The M6 also had improved suspension, brakes, and a close ratio manual gearbox.
All were built in Dingolfing , Germany.
E63/E64 6 Series (2003–present)
In 1989 the 6 Series was supplanted by the 8 Series, but in late 2003 the 6 Series was reintroduced (as a 2004 model), with Coupe and Convertible versions based on the BMW E63 and BMW E64 platforms, respectively. These two models are each available with either a 3.0 L (2996 cc) straight-6 making 190 kW (254.8 hp) at 6600 rpm and 300 Nm (221.3 ft.lbf) of torque from 2500–4000 rpm (in the 630i) or a 4.4 L (4398 cc) V8 making 245 kW (328.5 hp) and 450 Nm (331.9 ft.lbf) of torque at 3600 rpm (in the 645Ci). [1] In some markets, the convertible versions are sold as the 630i Cabriolet and the 645Ci Cabriolet.
The V8 in the 645Ci is the N62 motor, the same powerplant used in the 545i and 745i.
Unlike that of the new 5 Series and 7 Series cars, the styling of the new 6 Series has generally received a warm welcome from the BMW community—except, largely, owners and enthusiasts of the E24.
In 2005 an M6 version of the new 6 Series will be introduced. It will share the E60 BMW M5's engine and gearbox.
Reference
- BMW 6 Series webpage
- Kable, G (14. December, 2004). BMW unleashes M6 supercoupe. Autocar pp. 8-11.
- Roadfly BMW Forums: e24 e3 e9
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