The BMW 640i Grand Coupe is not a practical family hauler; neither does it set out to be an executive limousine like the 7 Series, a sports sedan like the "3," or an out-and-out sports car like the Z4. The raison d'être of the Grand Coupe is to transport two adults, in great comfort and as rapidly as possible, from their city pied-à-terre to the cottage or villa they maintain for weekends. And since the mid-1970s, it has fulfilled this role most ably.
For 2012, the 640i has been redesigned and re-engineered. It retains the wide, long, and low stance of its predecessor, though expanded slightly in all directions, and still comes as either a coupe or a convertible. A naturally aspirated 4.8-liter engine boosts the horsepower to 315 and torque to 322 pound-feet. Perhaps of greater interest is that peak torque is produced low down in the rev range, enabling this 4,000-pound cruiser to waft effortlessly along highway and byway.
As befits a car priced from $73,600, the interior of the 640i is sumptuous. The center console features an asymmetric design with the supple Dakota Leather from the top of the dash in front of the passenger swooping down and around the shift knob to the armrests. Inserts of gray poplar wood complete the air of refined elegance while a screen atop the stack conveys navigation information, switching to the rear-view camera when reverse is engaged.
The rear seats are admittedly surprising. There's room enough to take friends out to dinner, but they're really not suitable for longer journeys. This is standard, as Grand Touring cars are typically two-seaters or 2+2s. Trunk space on the other hand, is relatively generous, with the convertible offering a volume of 12.4 cubic feet.
On the road, the 640i is delightfully quick, with that smooth engine taking it to sixty in 5.5 seconds. Handling is precise with little roll, and the long wheelbase makes for an especially flowing ride. A delicious burble from the exhaust reminds the driver of the latent horsepower under the hood. Bear in mind that the 6 Series was not built to be hustled along winding country lanes. This car is at its best on wide open highways, powering down to the beach, or once there, for cruising the boulevards from villa to restaurant. That said, the braking performance of this car is astounding, with the massive front and rear discs bringing it to rest quickly should the situation demand.
Fuel economy is rather agreeable in the 640i, achieves 23 city/33 highway mpg on the EPA test regimen. Those of a "green" persuasion will note the brake regeneration system. This recaptures energy that would otherwise be lost as heat during braking, providing further efficiency gains.
The Grand Coupe is a special type of car. Its purpose is elegant, refined transportation, offering the occupants the most sublime motoring experience possible. No one does it better than BMW.
Visit us at Nalley BMW today to take one for a spin.