Reintroduced in 2004, the BMW 6 Series has seen few changes over the last five years. A mild face-lift and a larger, more powerful engine were the most noticeable upgrades.
BMW is now at work on the next-generation 2011 6 Series, but as you can see in our latest spy photos and video, the changes won't be dramatic. The size and shape of the test mule seen here look almost identical to the current 650i.
The long, wide hood and short rear deck remain, although the front fascia has a slightly different shape to the grille. This prototype also sports a convertible soft top, a wise choice given the already hefty weight of the 6 Series convertible.
Generally considered too big to be a true performance coupe, the next-generation 6 Series may counter its girth with more power from BMW's new twin-turbo V8. Rated at 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque in its current applications, the 4.4-liter V8 would make for a near M6-like experience in the standard 650i model.
Its performance could be further enhanced by an expected weight reduction as BMW looks to reduce CO2 output in order to satisfy tougher mileage and emissions requirements. And let's face it; it can't really get any bigger or heavier than it is now.
Although this prototype looks fairly well along in the development process, we don't expect to see a finished product until sometime next year.
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