We drive the luxurious BMW 640i
By khulekani / on Nov 19th, 2018 / in Car Reviews, featured
Pic Khulekani Dumisa
By Khulekani Dumisa
Let us get something out of the way quickly. I am a fan of station wagons. You may wonder what that has to do with the car I am about to talk about. The thing is, it becomes really attractive to a guy like me with very few station wagon options left in the country. Yes, the designers of it and some hard core fans may take issue with me living my station wagon dreams vicariously through it but I hope they will spare a thought for me with the predicament I face. The BMW 640i is a brand new car but in a way it actually replaces the 5 Series GT model as the latter line has been discontinued. The 640i is also said to take up the 6 Series name as the current 6 Series Coupe and Convertible will be replaced by the upcoming 8 Series in the line-up.
The 6 Series GT is not a mere 5 Series GT replacement but grows in size compared to the outgoing 5 Series GT. The 6 Series GT is actually based on the same platform as the 5 Series and 7 Series. It is actually bigger in size than the 5 Series model it replaces. It is also lower and wider but lighter. Outside, the 6 Series GT gains a bigger, more outward grille with new LED lights, new bumpers and larger air vents. Similarly, it has more pronounced lines on the side and the back lights have been redesigned with the back fitting in more with the backlights and boot design.
Pic Khulekani Dumisa
The inside of the 640i is unmistakably BMW with its solid build yet classy interior. The odometer is digital and is complemented by a large infotainment screen that is operated via BMW’s trusted iDrive system. There is ample storage space in the cabin, including at the front. The centre console is large and so are the door bins. Connectivity is simple with USB ports and Bluetooth. The cabin is also roomy with extremely comfortable seats upfront with an extra comfy headrest. The shape and length is truly appreciated at the back where the rear passengers have great leg and head room. You actually could fit in three adults comfortably in there. The trump card is the humongous boot at 610 litres that also extends with the rear seats folded down. Family trips will mean no one having to compromise on what they get to pack.
Pic Khulekani Dumisa
The 6 Series GT that we tested was the 640i with a 3.0 engine with 250 kW of power and 450 Nm of torque. This makes the 640i GT capable of catapulting its large body from 0-100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. I loved seeing the 640i GT moving its large body to large speeds in a blink of an eye and also give me the confidence of throwing the car into curvy roads and knowing it was up to it. I actually managed to drive it on a stretch of gravel road and the xDrive made that look like a picnic. Families will appreciate this on family trips that involve some gravel roads. The cherry on top was the daily commute on Comfort Mode (EcoPro unduly restricted the car) aided by the air-suspension. The ride quality was phenomenal. It felt as if I was riding on a continental pillow. Not floaty and disconnected but extremely comfortable. I longed for a drive in the car, no matter how short the drive was. On the highways, it was great to see the rear spoiler deploying as if to remind me that I had reached the maximum speed limit. The fuel consumption came in at 12.3l/100 km no matter the environment. It’s a bit higher than BMW’s claimed 8.5l but I thought it was okay based on the size of the vehicle and the sheer enjoyment of driving in sports mode and seeing a large vehicle perform the way the 640i GT performs.