Press Release
Part I: The New BMW 645Ci - In Depth
Article contents - Page referencePart II: The New 645Ci - In Depth
6 Series Photo album - 40 Photos added
Full Story (cont.)
Six gears for the right transmission ratio at all times.The 645Ci comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox designed for extreme torque of up to 600 Nm or almost 450 lb-ft. Fitted with this superior transmission, the new BMW coup?????????????????? reaches its top speed limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph both in fifth and sixth gear. Maintaining lower engine speeds even with a dynamic style of motoring, sixth gear keeps the noise level inside the car low and subdued even at high road speeds. Transmission noise is then further reduced by the upright pattern of the gears with a large inclination angle and their optimised crossover points. With sixth gear ensuring smooth and fuel-efficient motoring even at high speeds, the close ratio of the lower gears gives BMW??????????????????????????????????????s large coup?????????????????? its outstanding acceleration in all situations. The big advantage for the customer versus a conventional five-speed gearbox is the larger range of gear increments allowing him to capitalise on engine power at all times, the gears shifting smoothly, precisely and crisply in usual BMW style. SMG transmission: shifting gears like in Formula 1.
Available as an option, six-speed SMG transmission offers the sporting and ambitious driver a really enviable choice: He can shift gears either by way of paddles on the steering wheel ??????????????????????????????????????? like in Formula 1 ??????????????????????????????????????? or by briefly flicking the centre gearshift lever forwards or backwards. In each case the transmission shifts gears without requiring the driver to press down a clutch pedal, SMG operating as an electrical shift-by-wire system shifting gears automatically within fractions of a second. The sequence of gears shifted is of course in exact numerical order, the big advantage of such a Sequential Manual Gearbox being that the driver cannot make a mistake when shifting gears. And perhaps the most important point is that shifting gears in sequence is faster than with any other manual gearshift, SMG shifting from one gear to the next within fractions of a second, supporting the dynamic and sporting qualities of the new 6 Series in this way. Indeed, to meet the driver??????????????????????????????????????s demands the system can shorten gearshift times to just 0.15 seconds whenever the driver presses the DDC Dynamic Drive Control button. SMG even allows the driver to shift gears without taking his foot off the accelerator. A further point is that the driver can leave his hands on the steering wheel while shifting gears, since all he needs to operate the paddles is his fingers ??????????????????????????????????????? clearly, a significant improvement in terms of safety, for example on winding mountain roads. The driver not wishing to shift gears manually has the option to transfer this function to the transmission management system in the Drive mode where, controlled by a transmission management map, gears are shifted automatically depending on the driving situation. In all, SMG gives the new BMW coup?????????????????? an even higher standard of dynamic and sporting performance, allowing the driver, inter alia, to accelerate just as quickly and dynamically as a highly trained sports driver using a manual gearbox. Yet a further feature is that sixth gear is also optimised for higher speeds on SMG, thus reducing both engine noise as well as fuel consumption. Six-speed automatic transmission combining dynamic performance with superior comfort.
It almost goes without saying that the six-speed automatic transmission available as an option for the new 6 Series is first choice both for the sports-minded and the comfort-oriented driver. Designed and built for enormous torque of 600 Newton-metres or almost 445 lb-ft, the six-speed automatic transmission ensures an ideal combination of sports motoring and a smooth, comfortable gearshift. The large range of gear increments provides a positive effect when setting off also with automatic transmission, first gear being designed for superior traction and pulling force. At high road speeds, in turn, sixth gear reduces engine speed in the interest of low drive noise and fuel consumption. Equipped with electronic Adaptive Transmission Management (ATM), the automatic transmission adjusts to the type of driver and motoring conditions. This helps to avoid unnecessary gearshifts in bends or stop-and-go traffic a lower gear when driving downhill in order to use the brake power of the engine. The Steptronic function integrated in the automatic transmission even allows the driver to shift gears by hand, simply moving the shift lever from automatic position D to the left into the M/S shift lane in order to activate the sports-oriented gearshift program. Then, flicking the selector lever to the front or to the back, the driver is able to shift gears manually through the Steptronic function. Pressing a button to make the 6 Series even more dynamic.
Pressing the DDC (Dynamic Drive Control) button featured as standard on all transmissions on the new 6 Series coup??????????????????, the driver is able to choose a more sporting style of motoring with even more dynamic engine response. This also sets the steering to a more sporting mode through Servotronic control. To be specific, the engine will accelerate even faster with the same consistent position of the gas pedal, then responding even more progressively as soon as the driver presses the gas pedal down. On cars with automatic transmission DDC, depending on the position of the gas pedal, will not shift up to the next higher gear until the engine has reached a higher speed than is otherwise the case. Operating in conjunction with the SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox, in turn, Dynamic Drive Control keeps gearshift times even shorter. A further feature is the modification of steering forces by DDC (not on cars fitted with Active Steering as an option), DDC thus giving the sporting and ambitious driver even better feedback from the steering. Apart from very convenient modification and harmonisation of the drivetrain, DDC also offers the driver a second, more sporting set-up whenever desired. This gives the ambitious driver even greater driving pleasure, allowing him to use the power of the engine even more spontaneously and in even more sporting style. Intelligent lightweight technology for enhanced dynamic performance.
Lightweight technology used consistently throughout the new 6 Series makes a significant contribution to the car??????????????????????????????????????s outstanding driving comfort and dynamic performance. The main feature to be mention in this context is the innovative combined aluminium/steel structure of the car??????????????????????????????????????s body: Incorporating the Weight-Reduced Aluminium Front (WRAF) much lighter than steel, the rear lid made of SMC sheet moulding compound glass-fibre, front side panels made of thermoplastics, as well as the front lid and doors made of aluminium, together with a wide range of other weight-saving improvements, unladen weight of the 645Ci has been kept to a very low 1,615 kg or 3,560 lb. Another advantage is optimum axle load distribution of almost 50:50 typical of a BMW. In conjunction with rear-wheel drive the all-aluminium chassis and suspension of the BMW??????????????????????????????????????s new large coup?????????????????? has excellent starting conditions for its driving characteristics extending far beyond the usual level in this class, particularly when it comes to the car??????????????????????????????????????s extremely smooth and precise response. All-aluminium chassis plus intelligent control systems ??????????????????????????????????????? a perfect team.
With the combination of intelligent lightweight technology and the perfectly engineered all-aluminium chassis meeting virtually all requirements, the 645Ci also features a number of important chassis and suspension control systems ensuring even greater safety and enhanced motoring comfort (even if such additional assets are rarely required thanks to the excellent basic set-up of the chassis and suspension). The chassis and suspension control systems grouped within DSC Dynamic Stability Control permanently monitor driving conditions and thus ensure a very high standard of driving stability at all times. When necessary, DSC will intervene by reducing drive forces or activating the brake system. Determining from the start whether the car might possibly swerve or skid out of control, DSC is able to stabilise the new BMW 6 Series coup?????????????????? within fractions of a second. Particular highlights of DSC are the ABS anti-lock brakes, CBC Cornering Brake Control applying the brakes slightly on the inner rear wheel in a bend at medium to high speeds in order to enhance stability of the vehicle, as well as ASC Automatic Stability Control intervening in the brakes and electronically masterminding engine torque in order to set off smoothly on slippery uphill gradients without the drive wheels spinning. DTC Dynamic Traction Control , the traction mode within ASC, increases traction on the drive wheels especially on snowbound and icy roads in winter. And since the response threshold of the DSC stability system operating the brakes is raised slightly in this DTC mode activated manually by the driver in the interest of traction and drive power, the DTC function also ensures an even more sporting style of motoring, without in any way impairing the fundamental DSC safety function. No more body sway thanks to Dynamic Drive.
The Dynamic Drive chassis and suspension control system is also available as an option, combining sporting performance on the road with supreme driving comfort: Whilst the driver and passengers remain largely unaffected by bumps on straight sections of the road, Dynamic Drive suppresses body sway in bends, thus providing superior agility and stability in all situations. Again, the improvement in driving safety, nimbleness and steering precision ensured in this way sets new standards in suspension technology. Taking one example, Dynamic Drive serves in city traffic to compensate all sway and roll movements virtually 100 per cent. Another example is long, stretched-out bends, which BMW??????????????????????????????????????s new coup?????????????????? takes smoothly without swaying to the side or developing a kind of rocking motion. And even on winding roads country roads the driver follows in a fast, sporting style, the system reduces body sway by 80 per cent and more. In such dynamic driving situations also comprising lane change manoeuvres or sudden movements of the steering wheel to avoid an obstacle, Dynamic Drive also acts directly on the car??????????????????????????????????????s steering, improving directional accuracy and load change response in the process. And this, in practice, means more active safety. High-performance brakes in advanced design.
A point hardly to be emphasized is that the brakes of the BMW 645Ci live up in full to the car??????????????????????????????????????s performance. Extra-large aluminium swing-calliper brakes with inner-vented lightweight brake discs on the front wheels ensure superior stopping power without the slightest fading effect, combined with an even longer running life. Contrary to conventional brake discs, only the friction ring on these lightweight discs is made of highly carbonated grey-cast iron, whilst the brake pot itself is aluminium. And thanks to the significant reduction in unsprung masses provided by such lightweight technology, the brake system also serves to optimise the car??????????????????????????????????????s agility, driving comfort and safety on the road. Dynamic Brake Control also featured as standard builds up optimum brake power in a dangerous situation should the driver for whatever reason fail to exert full pressure on the brake pedal. Runflat tyres for smooth motoring even with a puncture.
Last but certainly not least, runflat tyres fitted as standard are an important step towards even greater safety on the road. Reinforced side walls on the tyres with additional insert strips and a rubber compound particularly resistant to extreme temperatures enable the runflat tyres to proceed for a distance of at least 150 km or 90 miles under full load at a speed of up to 80 km/h or 50 mph, even if the tyre is completely flat. With the car carrying a smaller load or with a certain level of pressure still remaining in the tyre, the mileage the driver can still cover increases significantly. And even with the tyre completely flat, ABS, ASC and DSC remain fully functional. Thanks to extended hump 2 (EH2) technology, that is double rim humps in special design, the runflat tyres cannot jump off the rim even under a sudden loss of air. This, obviously, means a considerable improvement of safety particularly at high speeds and on winding roads. Yet another significant advantage is that you can also fit conventional tyres on the wheels whenever necessary. The Tyre Defect Indicator provides a reliable warning should a tyre run flat.
The new BMW 6 Series comes as standard with a Tyre Defect Indicator consistently checking pressure in the tyres as of a road speed of 15 km/h by comparing wheel revolutions. The driver is informed immediately by both a visual and acoustic signal of any loss of pressure of more than 30 percent. Integration of the telephone using Bluetooth technology.
As an alternative to the dual-band telephone permanently installed in the 6 Series, BMW offers a highly convenient, future-proof solution for integrating your mobile phone in the car: Bluetooth technology with a universal interface allowing you to network ??????????????????????????????????????? at least in theory ??????????????????????????????????????? every Bluetooth-compatible mobile phone recommended by BMW with the car??????????????????????????????????????s electronics, without requiring any cable or wire connection in the process. So as soon as your mobile phone is within the car??????????????????????????????????????s reception area with a range of approximately 10 metres or 33 feet, your phone will automatically log into the system. Once your mobile phone is connected to the car via Bluetooth, you can operate your mobile phone safely and conveniently via the multifunction steering wheel and the car display, even using your phone in the hands-off mode. To ensure perfect reception quality at all times, your mobile phone is connected to the car??????????????????????????????????????s outside aerial via an easy-to-use snap-in adapter geared specifically to your phone. This also serves to charge the telephone battery in the same process ??????????????????????????????????????? and all your need to do when switching over to a new mobile phone is change the adapter. The dual-band telephone fitted permanently in the car as an alternative solution comes with a cordless operating unit also communicating with the base station through Bluetooth technology. Here again, the operating range of the cordless phone is up to 10 metres or approximately 33 feet around the car. BMW Assist transmits services straight into your car.
Through a wide range of telematic functions, BMW Assist available as an option gives the driver of the new BMW Coup?????????????????? the choice of numerous services enhancing both motoring comfort and driving safety. The software required for this purpose is directly within the telephone itself, meaning that BMW Assist requires installation of a telephone inside the car, together with the Professional navigation system and the Car Communication computer serving as the system master. All BMW Assist functions are activated and operated via the Controller or, respectively, the Control Display. Important services provided by BMW Assist are the emergency call function activated either manually or automatically as well as the BMW breakdown service. In both cases vehicle data and the current location of the car are transmitted to the rescue service headquarters or, respectively, the breakdown service in order to call help as quickly as possible. Further functions of BMW Assist are V-Info plus traffic information as well as the personalised Enquiry plus service and BMW Info SMS able to transmit navigation destinations and telephone numbers straight into the car from the internet, geo-coded by BMW Assist. BMW Online for internet services tailored to your requirements.
Using BMW Online as the prerequisite for BMW Assist, the customer is able to access a wide range of internet-based services while driving, including the Parkinfo Service reporting the parking capacities currently available in some 2,500 car parks comprising almost 600,000 parking spaces in 84 German cities and at 20 airports. Other services cover the BMW dealer network, telephone directories and the yellow pages, location-based emergency pharmacist services, hotels, restaurants, and lots more. And using the ???????????????????????????????????My BMW Online???????????????????????????????? function, the customer can even compile his own personal user menu comprising services regularly required. Navigation system with DVD.
A DVD-based navigation system is available as an option on the new BMW 6 Series. This high-end navigation unit comprises software applications for the CCC Car Communication Computer system master including the positioning module. Significant additional functions over the basic navigation unit are the option to enter your destination by a voice message or through the map display, the provision of additional criteria for route planning and the option to link points of interest with a direct telephone function and further information. Yet another feature is the additional presentation of traffic information in the map and the driver is also able to call up precise information on his current position. HiFi and TOP HiFi for a perfect experience in sound.
The BMW 645Ci pampers its passengers with a high-quality 2 x 40 W HiFi system fitted as standard. To ensure particularly good reproduction of bass sounds throughout the entire car, two central woofers are fitted beneath the front seats. Being connected to the side-sills, these central woofers have the necessary volume for optimum sound quality. Six sub-woofers and tweeters then round off this elaborate system. The TOP HiFi sound system available as an option turns the new BMW 6 Series into a genuine concert hall on wheels. Compared with the standard HiFi configuration, this system has been optimised to an even higher level, 7 x 25 W plus 2 x 70 W amplifiers as well as a total of 13 loudspeakers incorporating aluminium diaphragms providing a perfectly balanced experience in sound and interacting with the LOGIC 7 equalising concept for optimum harmony of the surround sound effect. Even double-channel stereo signals sound more complete with a significant improvement of their spatial effect thanks to the digital system processor. Possible interference by driving noise, in turn, is set off smoothly and accurately by a speed-related equalising effect. And perhaps the most impressive feature is the authentic quality of sound playback regardless of the source used. Latest technology for information and entertainment.
The new BMW 6 Series comes as standard with BMW??????????????????????????????????????s Business radio complete with CD drive. Available as an option, the Professional radio allows the driver to play not just CDs, but also datafiles and MP3-CDs. This high-end radio is also part of the two navigation systems available in the 6 Series. Optional: CD changer in the glove compartment.
As an option the audio systems may be supplemented by a particularly smooth and quietly operating six CD changer housed behind the glove compartment for easy operation by both the driver and front passenger via the Controller and Control Display. M-ASC and CCC ??????????????????????????????????????? the ???????????????????????????????????brains???????????????????????????????? behind the system.
The wide range of information, entertainment and communication features available in the new 6 Series ??????????????????????????????????????? in some cases as optional extras ??????????????????????????????????????? requires an intelligent system in the background combining and integrating the individual functions and units with one another. This ???????????????????????????????????system master???????????????????????????????? or ???????????????????????????????????head unit???????????????????????????????? acting as the control platform invisible to the customer is either the M-ASC (MMI Audio System Controller) or the CCC Car Communication Computer with an even wider range of functions. M-ASC controls and masterminds the car??????????????????????????????????????s audio systems including the CD changer or MP3 player, the telephone, basic navigation system and Head-Up Display, as well as many other technical features of the 6 Series such as the automatic air conditioning. A practical example of how M-ASC works in the car is the telephone with hands-free operation, the system being required in this case to coordinate the Control Display, the radio, amplifier and the telephone itself. With M-ASC combining various control units in one single housing, the driver and his passenger now have more space at their disposal, for example by way of additional storage compartments. Currently M-ASC is a unique BMW innovation without anything like it in the market. The CCC Car Communication Computer offering a much wider range of functions is used in lieu of M-ASC mainly on cars fitted with BMW??????????????????????????????????????s optional Professional navigation system, enhanced voice entry, TV and video functions, as well as BMW Online or BMW Assist. The most important advantage of this platform featuring six microprocessors is the option to subsequently add software updates or components in a very simple and straightforward manner. And like with M-ASC, the customer benefits from the extra space provided by CCC fully integrated as one single unit.
