December 31, 2003

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Preview:
2005 BMW 645Ci convertible
by Garner Tam

While many luxury automakers are now offering convertible hard-tops, BMW has opted for a soft top for the new 645Ci convertible. Along with certain structural advantages over standard soft top formations (including a more compact package when nestled away in the trunk leaving 300 litres of available trunk volume), BMW's new "fin-structure" soft-top allows for a completely vertical rear glass window, instead of a large, angled flat one. The advantage of this vertical rear glass window is that it can be electronically lowered and raised, independent of the soft top itself. Along with frameless side and quarter windows, the 645Ci convertible can offer an open air feel, without the need for SPF 45 on your scalp. It also offers a much better view out the rear.

The styling of the 645Ci convertible follows the 6-Series coupe and the company's bold design strategy. The headlights are reminiscent of those seen on the revamped 5 and 7 series, complete with the "angel eyes" or glowing ring parking lights. The front end together with the distinctive headlights, contoured hood and lower fascia have a determined look. The high shoulder line stretching from the wraparound headlights to the rear quarters gives the vehicle a long, muscular look. The rear of the car is defined mostly by the V line descending down from the bottom of the C pillars to form the trunk, and the moulded rear spoiler that pulls away from the trunklid ever so slightly. At almost 190" long, 73" wide, and 54" high, the 645Ci convertible is definitely a large luxury convertible.

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Inside, there's plenty of leather and wood. The driver's seat incorporates a triple memory function where favoured seat positions can be stored for three different pilots, and sport seats are an available option. The two rear seats are accessible via an Easy Access function on both the driver and passenger seats that have integrated seatbelts. This saves a possible two-step with a seatbelt during ingress or egress from the rear.

iDrive is included with the 645Ci convertible, and to complement the system, a voice command option is available, perhaps as a result of criticism of the original iDrive design. As well, there is a new Heads Up Display available that "virtually" places selected information on the nose of the hood, thereby further reducing distraction from the road. Rounding out the creature comforts is a choice between a standard HIFI or (optional) TOP HIFI that will surround you with 8 to 11 speakers, respectively.

Under the hood and motivating the rear 18"/245 wheels and tires (19's are an option), is BMW's top-of-the-line 4.4 litre, 8 cylinder powerplant, with bi-VANOS (variable valve timing), Valvetronic (variable valve lift), and a variable intake manifold. Rated at 333 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, the engine powers the 645Ci convertible from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds. 80-120 km/h takes just 5.5 seconds, so passing is barely a thought before it's done. Average fuel economy for the new convertible is quoted at 12.8 litres per 100 km (manual transmission).

Transmissions available are a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic, or the 6-speed SMG. The most intriguing of the three, the 6-speed SMG is of F1 heritage, where 6 sequential gears can be chosen via F1-style paddles on the steering wheel or, alternatively, notching a gearshift back and forth. A true manual transmission, in that there is a clutch and 6 separate gears, the process has been massaged to perform by a shift-by-wire system. The SMG can also work in Drive mode, where the gears will change and be selected automatically to respond to the driver's habits that day.

To save as much weight as possible while maintaining structural rigidity (important for a coupe with no roof), BMW has made extensive use of aluminum throughout the suspension and body. The weight of the vehicle is still 4002 lbs (for the manual gearbox), somewhat portly compared to its competitors - but BMW insists that performance driving dynamics are maintained. Helping keep the car on the tarmac as well as making daily driving easier, are no less than 13 electronic systems that check and balance the driver, as well as each other. Some of the more novel ones are Dynamic Drive that is basically a system of active anti-sway bars, as well as Adaptive Cruise Control that will adjust for distance to the car ahead of you when activated. Bells and whistles, this car has.

Safety is also further enhanced by adaptive headlights that point where you turn, reinforced A pillars, driver and passenger front, side and knee airbags, and pop up rollbars (in the event of a rollover), all managed by the Advanced Safety Electronics control system.

BMW has packed a wealth of performance, luxury, and safety into the 645Ci convertible, and it promises to be a magnificant open-air experience. The new 6-Series convertible will be shown at the Detroit auto show next week, and CanadianDriver will have driving impressions as soon as we can get our hands on one.

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