Daily News Capsule

The latest BMW 6 Series GT defies the existing list of body types in the automobile industry. It’s a fastback that isn’t a three-box sedan or a hatchback. It’s a large, well-made luxury car with a roomy, comfortable interior and smooth driving dynamics. There are petrol and diesel engines available for the vehicle. For this study, the petrol 630i M Sport, which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 258 horsepower and 400Nm of torque has been used.

• The car’s first feature is its size: it’s 5.09 metres long and weighs 1,800 kilogrammes. The four-cylinder engine, however, feels capable of hauling its weight thanks to an 8-speed automatic ‘Steptronic’ transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.
• The time from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 6.5 seconds, and the peak speed is a highway-friendly 250 kilometres per hour. The 630i feels eager to respond to the driver’s inputs when driving, perking up quickly when prodded and picking up speed with ease.

Yes, a six-cylinder BMW engine would have been better here, offering the kind of effortless, creamy-smooth, long-distance high-speed cruising that a four-cylinder engine struggles to match. However, in the real world, where costs must be weighed and engine downsizing is now the rule, the 630i’s four-pot unit performs admirably.

• The suspension on the 630i M Sport is more interesting; it’s a self-levelling adaptive 2-axle air suspension with separate dampers for each wheel. This setup is height adjustable, and at higher speeds, it also lowers the car automatically for better stability. It performs admirably and offers a reliably smooth ride, not just on smooth tarmac but also on moderately bad roads.
• But there was one thing that was noticed during the top-speed drive. When the car is pushed over a dip in the road at even relatively high speeds, the rear end becomes unsettled and bounces around a lot. Aside from this slight flaw, the car performs admirably.
• Even when hurried the car around quick bends at high speed, the meaty Pirelli P Zero tyres on the 19-inch alloy wheels gripped the surface tightly, preventing things from getting out of control. The 6 GT’s active air suspension is clearly tuned for ride comfort rather than cornering prowess, which is appropriate given the car’s target market.
• The car’s interior is as plush and comfortable as one might expect from a big, modern BMW saloon. Completely customizable business-class seats with tan leather upholstery, elegant wood and metal trim on the dashboard, and plenty of legroom and headroom in the front and back. A massive transmission tube, however, makes it difficult for the middle seat occupant in the rear bench to get comfortable, as is customary.

The BMW 6 Series GT is a luxury car with a well-balanced collection of capabilities. Its fastback rear gives it a lot of boot space (though the spare wheel takes up a lot of it), and the unique styling grows on you over time. It’s a good performer with plenty of comforts to back up the driving dynamics, and it’s priced at Rs 67.90 lakh ex-showroom.

The 630d M Sport, which is powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel that produces 265bhp and 620Nm of torque, is for those who want more fuel. However, with an ex-showroom price of Rs 77.90 lakh, you are paying a significant premium for the extra performance.

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