BMW 6-Series GT Review
Car Tested: 2018 BMW 630i GT; Road Test No. 988
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 71.88 lakhs
The liftback design does make the BMW 6-Series GT a lot more desirable
The mid-size luxury sedan space in India has multiple options these days and recently witnessed a game changer product i.e. the Mercedes E-Class LWB and BMW started feeling the heat. The carmaker could have introduced a roomier version of the 5-Series but doing so would have given the 5-Series a different image and character altogether. With the launch of the 6-Series GT, the Bavaria-based automaker has probably got the right recipe for the Indian market. But the question is does the new 6-Series GT excite like a Bimmer should?
The grille gets Active Air Stream function which means it will be shut for better aerodynamics and
will open for better cooling of the engine
Exteriors – From the front, the 6-Series GT is more or less similar to the 5-Series and even the 3-Series to some extent and that’s no bad thing. While the chrome surrounds on the signature kidney grille add a classy look, the muscular hood and the adaptive LED headlights with the corona ring LED DRLs add a hint of sportiness and aggression respectively to the front fascia. Move on to the side and things get interesting. The first thing that catches your attention is the sloping roofline and a hat tip to BMW for executing the rear so beautifully. The liftback runs on 18-inch wheels which look a tad bit small on such a massive car but the German automaker has a reason for doing so (more on this later). At the rear, you get LED tail-lights with 3D effect and twin rounded exhaust tips. Overall, the 6-Series GT is a handsome-looking vehicle with a lot of appeal.
The dashboard in typical BMW style has been tilted towards the driver
Interiors – On the inside, things are typical BMW. The cabin design will again, remind you of the 5-Series but the 6-Series GT gets more plusher tan leather upholstery. That’s not all, you also get dark wood brushed aluminium inserts on the dashboard and justifying the premium price tag are a couple of features that are exclusive to the back seat like entertainment screens, reclining seat (by 9-degrees) and electric window blinds. In terms of features, there is a 10.25-inch iDrive touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and gesture controls, fully digital instrument console, panoramic sunroof, 4-zone climate control, BMW Display Key, driver’s seat memory function and adaptive air suspension. However, there are a couple of features missing in this Luxury Line trim. While you do get the extravagant Display Key, there is no remote parking facility as seen in the 5. Wireless charging, auto parking assist and a 360-degree camera are also being skimped.
Space at the rear is a significant improvement over the 5-Series
The iDrive infotainment system is the best in business and also features a wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity too
That said, the USP of the 6-Series GT is the amount of space it offers in the rear seat and we’re happy to report that there’s acres of space (legroom) all thanks to the 3070 mm wheelbase (which is 95 mm longer than the 5-Series’ wheelbase). The front seats offer good support but come with limited adjustability. The rear seat too is comfortable and considering the sloping roofline, headroom is adequate and there’s decent under-thigh support as well. The headrests get soft pillows so that you snooze faster after that boring board meeting. While the rear sloping windscreen has limited visibility, the 610-litres boot space, on paper, is large enough but the space saver tyre eats into a considerable amount of that space. Nonetheless, the rear seat comfort is not as plush as in the Mercedes E-Class but it’s a tremendous improvement over the 5-Series.
Compared to the 530i, the 630i produces 6 HP and 50 Nm of more power and torque respectively
Performance – The 2018 BMW 6-Series GT was initially launched only with a petrol engine but currently there is also a diesel variant available. However, the car we’re driving today is the petrol variant which draws power from a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged motor producing 258 HP of power and 400 Nm of torque. As expected, this powerplant is extremely refined and butter smooth at all times. 0-100 km/hr comes up in just 6.8 seconds and the top speed is 230 km/hr. The powertrain feels superbly responsive lower down and accelerates with a lot of eagerness. Turbo lag is well-contained and this engine screams at higher revs as it likes to be revved hard. Being a BMW, there are multiple driving modes on offer, Comfort, ECOPRO, Sport and since comfort is a priority for the chauffeur-driven, the company has given the 6-Series GT a Comfort+ mode.
The 8-speed automatic gearbox is super responsive
The 630i offers exhilarating performance and doesn’t disappoint on fuel efficiency
Slot to the Sport mode and the response from the engine and transmission becomes more eager. A special trait that BMW engineers have infused in this 2.0-litre motor is that only in the Sport mode, the driver will get the feeling of driving a BMW. There is an 8-speed automatic gearbox taking care of the transmission duties and we must say this is a very smooth-shifting unit. You can manually take control of things as well via the steering-mounted paddle shifts and whether you want an upshift or a downshift, any due moment, the gearbox responds all the time.
The 6-Series GT is 80% as comfortable as the E-Class and 80% as good as the 5-Series to drive
Driving Dynamics – The BMW 6-Series GT comes with air suspension that makes the ride quality brilliant and adding to this are the 18-inch wheels with 245-section rubber. Suspension is setup slightly on the softer side when compared to the 5-Series and only on very sharp bumps or potholes do you actually feel movement inside the cabin. In terms of handling, this isn’t on par with the 5-Series but it is definitely better than the E-Class. Having said that, the ride quality is not as good as in the E-Class and honestly, the 6-Series GT’s ace up its sleeve is a fine balance of the 5’s handling and E’s ride quality. Braking performance is supreme as the vehicle stops then and there in its stride.
Safety net on the 6-Series GT is as you’d expect from a BMW, loaded with a host of safety features
Safety and After Sales Service – The 2018 BMW 630i Luxury Line comes handsomely loaded with safety features. You get 8-airbags, ABS with Brake Assist and Dynamic Braking Lights, Cornering Brake Control, Dynamic Stability Control with Dynamic Traction Control, ISOFIX child seat mounts, electric parking brake with auto hold function and runflat tyres with reinforced side walls. After sales service of the German carmaker has been a delightful experience for most owners so there’s absolutely nothing to complain on the quality of the after-sales.
For a driving enthusiast, the 2018 BMW 6-Series GT is a hard to ignore proposition
Verdict – If you’re looking for a mid-size luxury sedan which could take you to work in great comfort and put a smile across your face when you’re behind the wheel driving during the weekends, there’s no better car than the 6-Series GT. It does fill the void between the 5-Series and 7-Series and how. Yes, it might look quirky from some angles, yes, the 30i badge doesn’t mean that there’s a 6-cylinder motor under the hood and yes, it’s pricier than the Mercedes E-Class LWB but what you get with the 6-Series GT is a differentiated offering that offers the best of both the worlds. What’s better than having your cake and eating it too.
The 6-Series GT feels like a matured and more modern version of the 3-GT
What’s Cool
* Very good space and practicality
* Loaded with goodies and new age features
* Feels punchy to drive
* Has well-sorted ride and handling
What’s Not So Cool
* The 5-Series is more fun on the corners
Alternatives: Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6, Jaguar XF
The headlights light up the road like it’s day!
2018 BMW 630i GT Specifications
* Engine: 1998cc, 4-Cyl, Turbocharged Petrol
* Power: 258 HP @ 5000-6500 RPM
* Torque: 400 Nm @ 1550-4400 RPM
* Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission
* 0-100 km/hr: 6.7 seconds (claimed)
* Top Speed: 230 km/hr
* Suspension: Independent Double Wishbone, Air Springs (Front),
Independent Multi-Link Suspension, Air Springs (Rear)
* Tyre Size: 245/50/18 (Front and Rear)
* Brakes: Discs (Front), Discs (Rear), ABS
* Safety: 8 Airbags, CBC, DSC and DTC
2018 BMW 630i GT Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 5091 mm X 1902 mm X 1538 mm
* Boot Space: 610-litres
* Wheelbase: 3070 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 68-litres
The 6-Series GT doesn’t have any proper rivals, most are sedans
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