2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible: New Images, Late 2011 Australian Launch

It may be a good six months or more from its Australian debut, but BMW has today released a gallery of new images for its brand-new 2012 6 Series Convertible. The new images follow months of spy photos and an official teaser in the form of the 6 Series Coupe Concept.

Bigger in all directions that its predecessor except up, the new 'F12' 6 Series is 75mm longer, 40mm wider and 10mm shorter top-to-bottom than the outgoing 'E63', while its wheelbase has also stretched to 2855mm.

In the case of the 650i, power is provided by BMW's new direct-injected and turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 petrol engine, producing 300kW and 610Nm of torque - up from the old 4.8 litre V8-powered 650i's 270kW and 490Nm.

The new V8 is available with either BMW's new eight-speed Sport Automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission.

The 0-100km/h sprint is now below 5 seconds, the 650i Convertible cutting the run in 4.9 seconds with both transmissions, shaving a few hundredths off the 5.2 seconds of the outgoing model.

As with its predecessor, the 650i Convertible is fitted with a fabric roof, able to open electronically in 19 seconds and close in 24 seconds - doing so at speeds up to 40km/h.

Storage space for the convertible is limited to 300 litres with the roof open and 350 with the roof in place.

Australia

Speaking  with TMR, BMW Australia's Piers Scott confirmed that the hardtop 6 Series Coupe will be the first to debut locally, arriving around the middle of next year.

The 6 Series Convertible will follow "most likely at the very tail end of next year," Mr Scott confirmed.