BMW 6 Series

BMW 6 Series

Recommended. The 6 Series Convertible is almost the consummate tourer - enjoyable to drive, comfortable and fast; only a slight lack of spark niggles

BMW's latest 6 Series Convertible is hard to fault in many of the traditional areas of assessment.

The two petrol engines in particular stand out, with both the 640i and 650i producing a powerful and rapid ride. The larger of the two, with its V8 twin-turbocharged arrangement, is perhaps the most instantly gratifying, producing a glorious note with every dab of the throttle that will ultimately take the tourer to 62mph in 5.0 seconds. But the smaller, six-cylindered 640i is no lesser option, and still sounds great, especially with the 6 Series' soft-top roof folded flat.

While the 4.4-litre V8 is very much the fuel hungry performance car, with an mpg rating that will only reach the mid twenties if you behave (although this still compares well with rivals), the 640i is also much more restrained. It claims an impressive 35.8mpg and a CO2 rating of 185g/km, which looks positively eco-friendly next to the V8's 249g/km.

Under spirited driving, there is little to write off the smaller engine either, with it still getting to 62mph in 5.7 seconds, and still offering that instant burst of speed when required. It does feel as though it needs to be worked that little bit harder on occasion, but this only adds to its appeal.

This suits the 6's nature in terms of handling, with the steering feeling remarkably precise for a car with such physical presence. The optional Adaptive Drive system stiffens and softens the suspension settings and allows the driver to choose the firmness of their ride. However, the difference is only really noticeable in the most extreme of the four settings - Comfort and Sport+. The Dynamic Drive Control system that allows you to sharpen the steering, throttle response and gearchanges comes as standard.

As with all current BMWs, the interior is a masterpiece, replete with stitched leather and discrete touches of wood that add to the atmosphere rather than dominating it. The seat and steering wheel can be tweaked via the electronic controls in more ways than you might think possible, so while it might take a while to find the perfect driving position, it is almost guaranteed to be there regardless of your height and build.

The questionable looks of the previous 6 Series have now been toned and honed, to produce a car that looks aggressively sporty in your rear view mirror, and hunkered and powerful from the rear. Its shark fin style roof accentuates the model's lean profile, and disappear neatly into the bodywork within a hushed 19 seconds.

Given all its success in any tangible criteria, it almost feels unfair to criticise the Convertible for factors less easily quantifiable, but for all its good looks, plush interior and glorious engines, the 6 does not quite have the same flair as cars like the Maserati GranCabrio, with which BMW hopes to compete. It's troubling to describe a car as gifted and extravagant as the 6 Series as the sensible choice, but as high-end convertible's go, it is an appropriate label for BMW's beguiling creation.