BMW 6 Series

The production-ready BMW 6-Series makes its world debut in convertible form, following on from the 6-Series Coupe Concept displayed last year in Paris.

As we suspected, the 'Concept' billing was a thin disguise for the production version of BMW's grand tourer. Its DRG is virtually unchanged, with only minor alterations to grille and headlamp inserts and the addition of towing eye, parking sensor and headlamp washer covers. Otherwise its face – which marks a thematic departure for BMW with its drawn-back lamp graphics – remains as impressive as in Paris.

Likewise the wonderfully subtle-yet-precise surfacing that runs through its flanks is equally as flawless as the concept's, despite being more difficult to read under the harsh light of its Detroit stand and in champagne coachwork. Its stance is compromised by the 19-inch wheels fitted to the show car however, which fail to fill the muscular flare of the rear fender in both diameter and width.

However, there's no denying the integration of the convertible's roof has compromised the overall design. Its shutlines are wide enough to visually dominate the rear of the car, particularly against a light color. The shut that runs from the tail light, parallel to the deck, visually slims what is already a slender shoulder, unable to latch onto an existing part line, as was the case with the previous generation. The leading edge of the trunk lid also cuts abruptly across the rear deck.

Meanwhile the tonneau cover's flying buttress panel is unrefined in execution, sitting heavily on the flat rear deck. Its overly-chunky chrome surround exacerbates the issue. Add the CHMSL, larger, bumper-mounted reflectors and cutaway at the trunk lid's lower edge and the result is an additional degree of visual noise that slightly detracts from the purity of the concept.

Its interior is similarly faithful to the Paris preview car, with a rather conservative IP architecture spiced up by the tornado-like surface which runs from the center armrest, up the side of the center stack and forms the surface above the glovebox lid.

Overall the 6-Series Convertible retains the proportions and surfacing that impressed us so much in the Paris. However, the rather comprised shutline treatment and detail execution removes a degree or two of luster.

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