On the move, the new BMW 6GT pleasantly surprises. It’s 1.7-tonne weight bulk is inconsequential thanks to the agility it possesses and the performance on tap. The 400 Nm of torque peaks from well below 2,000 rpm and, thanks to a rather quick-revving engine, there’s a good surge as it gets closer to peak power. The rear spins up when given the beans on a corner exit and it rapidly corrects itself and rockets forward. It will get from 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and, given the space, get up to a limited top speed of 250 km/h. However, while this sort of a machine is set-up to munch miles effortlessly, it’s what goes into it that makes so much of a difference. BMW’s mastery of driving modes is evident yet again in the 630i GT. In Eco Pro, I saw as much as 13 km/l on the highway, with stop-and-go traffic seeing about eight. Not bad at all if the 68-litre tank is considered. The wallop of power in Sport is a contrast to the feel in Eco Pro. It feels ready and a flex of a right foot away from a launch. Then, there’s Comfort mode that offers a floating ride, soaking up bumps and potholes. The new system also means there are more sub-modes for even more fine-tuning.
The sublime chassis package is helped by the standard adaptive two-axle air suspension that goes well with the double wishbone front and five-link rear pairing. It allows the new BMW 6GT to rise 20 millimetres higher at the touch of a button. The higher ride height lasts for speeds up to 35 km/h. At speeds in triple figures, or when Sport mode is selected, the car lowers itself 10 mm from the standard ride height of 138 mm. Even so, over the variety of surfaces it encountered, there was no contact with the underbody whatsoever. Regardless of the type of surface, it impresses. If not, maybe it’s just not in the right drive mode. Besides, if more frugality is the need of the hour, BMW offer the 620d as well. If even more power and a double helping of torque is needed, there’s the immaculate 630d as well.
The equipment list is extensive and, while I wished it had ventilated seats, on a hot summer day that rarely gets hotter than the 41°C heat in Pune when we headed out, there is little to fault of the car itself. The engine, even being a 2.0 four, is potent enough when wound up and it can deliver the thrills one expects from a proper BMW. That said, the new BMW 6GT will probably end up being chauffeur-driven and the 630i fills those shoes extremely well. It’s quiet, refined, well put-together and feels, dare I say, even better than the sum of its parts and price tag as well.
The 6 Series Gran Turismo has always seemed like all the car one would ever need and the new BMW 6GT takes things further. It’s a smart new take on the space between the 5 Series and the more luxurious 7 Series and even sportier 8 Series Gran Coupé. It’s not overly large and sports a unique silhouette that makes it seem more than a 5; which it clearly is.
Need to Know – BMW 630i Gran Turismo M Sport
Price: Rs 67.90 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1,998 cc, in-line four, turbo-petrol, direct-injection
Max Power: 258 hp @ 5,000-6,500 rpm
Max Torque: 400 Nm @ 1,550-4,400 rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed, automatic, rear-wheel drive
Suspension: Double wishbone front, five-link rear, air springs
Weight: 1,710 kg
