2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible Snapped Without Camouflage?

Those quick fingered camera jockeys over at Motor-Talk.de have got what appears to be an undisguised 2012 BMW 6-series convertible. This could be our first look at the new convertible, which is set to go on sale next year, au natural.

Soon after, the Photoshop magicians over at Autobild cleaned up the picture, taking out the cameraman and other foreground obstructions and removing some of the grainy-ness.

It has to be said, this picture looks very close to the artist's impression by e90post forum member 'Alpince325ci', even down to the shape of the bootlid. Well done, sir.

The 6-series Convertible will the most expensive drop top in BMW's lineup, slotting in above the cheaper 3-series convertible and Z4 roadseter. Oddly, it still retains its fabric top, something the current-gen 3-series and Z4 have done away with. Carscoop will have more details and pictures as they come through.

By Tristan Hankins

Sources: Motor Talk, e90post and Autobild

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CLP’s BMW MR 600 GT Has Silly Name, Green Paint and 379 hp

I was never a big fan of the second generation BMW 6-Series. It was all droopy and made up of odd angles and I could never understand why you'd buy one instead of a Z4 or an M3. Now, new-to-Carscoop CLP Automotive has taken my second least favorite BMW after the X3 and supposedly tweaked it, producing the MR 600 GT.

The fluro green example pictured here features CLP's €5,990 (US$8,420) aerodynamic kit consisting of M3-style front bumper, new front and rear three-quarter panels / fenders, side skirts and a rear apron. A tailgate spoiler is €399 (US$561) extra.

For an additional €8,960 (US$12,594) you can get a set of 3-piece black alloy wheels with stainless steel trim rings. The front wheels are 9.5 x 22 inch whereas the rear are 11.5 x 22 inch, respectively wrapped in 255/30-22 and 285/25-22 high performance tires.

Also on offer are a €1,290 (US$1,813) electronic performance enhancement that pushes the 645i's output up to 379 hp (283 kw) and 490 Nm (361 lb. ft.) and a €1,599 (US$2,248) CLP muffler with quad stainless steel tailpipes. Yum.

These cosmetic and performance upgrades are said to be available across the 6-Series Coupe and Cabriolet range, though it seems a little strange that CLP is releasing this package so close to the launch of the third generation 6-Series.

I guess you have to be a German tuner to understand it.

By Tristan Hankins

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2012 BMW M6 Rendering Based on Paris Show Concept Car

BMW fan-boy and talented photoshop artist Gerald Alvarez (aka Bimmerpost forum member Alpine325ci), continues his series of future BMW renderings, this time with a new 'chop of the next generation M6 sports coupe. Alvarez used the freshly revealed at last week's Paris Motor Show, Concept 6-Series Coupe, as the base car to create the M6 rendering adding typical 'M' model styling traits such as the bumper, side skirt and alloy wheel designs.

The actual 2012 M6 should make its appearance either alongside or shortly after next year's presentation of the production F12 6-Series Coupe and Convertible models.

As we've repeatedly mentioned, the new M6 says 'bye-bye' to the previous model's naturally-aspirated 507HP 5.0-liter V10, and 'hallo' to a downsized, twin-turbocharged V8 sourced from the X5 M and X6 M crossovers, with power being delivered to the rear axle through the Bavarian firm's seven-speed twin-clutch transmission.

We don't have any numbers (yet), but it is believed that in the M6, the re-tuned V8 will deliver more than the 555HP and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque it does on the X5 M and X6 M models.

Via: E90Post , Photo: Gerald Alvarez / Alpince325ci

BMW’s Concept 6 Series Coupe Live from Paris: What do You Think? [Updated]

*Post has now been updated with a video of the car from the Paris Show floor featuring BMW's Design Director Adrian Van Hooydonk

Here are the first live pictures of BMW's Concept 6 Series Coupe at the Paris Motor Show. As previously reported, this is nothing more than a thinly disguised 2011 6 Series Coupe, which is set to arrive in showrooms next year with straight-six and V8 engine options.

Here's the skinny: Bangle is out, Van Hooydonk is in (as the Bavarian firm's design boss, as Van Hooydonk was responsible for the exterior of the previous 6er). Phil has already given you his 'Two Dents' on the concept based on the pre-show photos. Now here's my take on the live pictures:

The front there-quarters remind me of an aging actress who has recently had a facelift: her lips have been pulled long and thin, her eyes bulge out of the sockets and her ears are drawn back. The rear three-quarter, on the other hand, is a little too much like the current 3-series coupe.

Many of our readers were very vocal with their opinions on our last post. So our question is this: what do you think of BMW's Concept 6 Series Coupe now that you've seen the live pictures? Is it better, or worse? Tell us in the comments section below.

By Tristan Hankins

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