BMW 6-Series Model History

First used on a two-door coupe during the 1970s and 1980s, the 6 Series moniker returned to the BMW line-up for the 2004 model year. Based on the same platform as the BMW 5 Series, the 2004 BMW 6 Series also shared many styling cues with the four-door sedan. A 2+2 interior found inside the sporty coupe included automatic climate control and an array of standard airbags. Other standard features found on the 2004 BMW 6 Series included xenon headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The 2004 BMW 6 Series was introduced as a coupe and convertible equipped with a 4.4-liter V-8 engine developing 325 horsepower.

Three transmission choices were presented on the 2004 model year 6 Series with a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic and a six-speed sequential manual gearbox. In 2006, the BMW M6 model came to life by dropping a 500-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-10 engine into the 6 Series. The base BMW 6 Series received an enlarged V-8 engine for 2006 pumping out 360 horsepower. Provided with a sportier, more sophisticated appearance, the 6 Series was completely redesigned for 2012. The 2012 BMW 6 Series also received a host of technological enhancements including an available 3-D heads-up display along with a Top View camera system. Retaining a V-8 engine option generating 400 horsepower, the 2012 BMW 6 Series was also available with a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine.

The 2012 model year brought the option of the xDrive all-wheel drive system to the V-8 engined models of the BMW 6 Series. Joining the coupe and convertible body style in 2013, a four-door variant of the 6 series was made available called the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe.