Extremely popular in Europe, trying to make inroads into the Middle East. What’s right and what’s wrong with the GT line of BMW? We find out by owning one for a few weeks
The kids at Abu Dhabi Motors thought that, among all the publications in the Middle East, IN was the right outlet to do a long-term test of the 6-Series GT. A model that is well known for its utility and efficiency in Europe, but regarded as a fat-assed cow on these parts.
Thus, “The Thrill of Driving” meets “The Ultimate Driving Machine”. The grocery shopping one. Where they wrong to lend us this vehicle for a review? Spoiler alert: No, they were not wrong.
At first glance, the 6-Series GT is a slight departure from what we are used to in BMW road cars. Unlike the Grand Coupe it is named after, it looks big, tall, chunky. It looks heavy. It looks like it’s going to be a bit of a lumbering beast on the road.
It turns out the only lumbering thing is me. The GT moves about with impressive lightness thanks to the 3l engine the “40” name implies of late. Power output peaks at 320Hp, which is good, but nothing to be amazed by. Torque, on the other hand stays constant at 450Nm, and that gives astonishing reactions off the line, making the 640 a rather fun car to play around with.
Ultimate driving machine this is not but, get to a cobblestone bit, switch the traction control off, start playing with the throttle and you are the drifting master. The balance is completely neutral and the playfulness up to the max. BMW have managed to make a predictable rhinoceros. Loving it.
On the engine side, the 6-cylinder equips a twin scroll turbo that, unfortunately, shows a tiny bit of lag. Don’t get me wrong, it is very quick off the line, but only if you are over 1,700RPM. Otherwise you may take a lunch break before you get moving. In other words, pretty much like all the other BMW’s of late.
We have made 1,000Km this week. With the adjustments to the driving style, the need to play for a bit and the general “New Car” extravaganza, our fuel efficiency sits at 11.9l per 100Km. Quite beyond the claimed 7.4 figure. That said, a tank lasted 570Km, so quite alright for the daily commute and pitting once every 10 days or so.
The summer is pretty much on now and the A/C is quite ok, although lacking at times. This is probably another element that detracts from fuel efficiency. This car comes with the latest BMW smart-key which, in theory, should allow a pre-conditioning of the car. Will make sure to put that to the test next week.