BMW 640d M Sport Coupe

What is it?

THE third generation of BMW’s flagship coupe, the convertible version of which was launched at the beginning of 2011. The new coupe is bigger all round and roomier than the model it succeeds, providing significant extra passenger and boot space. But coupes traditionally are more about style than statistics and the extra space is packaged within a body many will find altogether sleeker and more pleasing than its prominently duck-tailed predecessor from the controversial Chris Bangle-led era of BMW design.

Not least, in terms of both enjoyment and business costs, the 95 per cent-plus of UK buyers who will opt for the diesel version – based on previous 6 Series sales data – will find the new in-line, twin-turbo 313bhp straight six even more muscular, yet smoother and with much-decreased CO2 and a startling 50-plus mpg.

The good news doesn’t end there: BMW has finally found a thoroughly acceptable ride and handling compromise between its mandatory hard-sidewalled, run-flat tyres and electric power steering systems. Pressed really hard, the 1735kg coupe proved no outright sports car on the narrow, tortuous and twisting test roads of Snowdonia (brave yet justified choice BMW). But driven briskly, and with a surging 465 lb ft of torque available from little more than tickover, it ate up miles and rode and cornered with more than sufficient pace and aplomb to earn a well-deserved place in the elite ranks of upper-premium GT cars.

What’s hot?

• Good looks – a triumph of re-styling
• More space – a genuine two-plus-two
• Stylish but ergonomically sound cockpit layout
• 10.2 inch navigation and data screen
• New diesel: 313bhp, up 27bhp, and a mighty 465lb ft of torque
• Performance – 5.5 seconds to 62mph; top speed 155mph (limited)
• …with startling economy of 51.4mpg, almost twice that of perceived rivals
• …and low CO2 yielding big VED and BIK bonuses
• Plus below 160g/km capital allowance and leasing allowance breaks
• Seamless 8-speed automatic transmission
• Fuel-sipping Eco Pro mode

What’s not?

• Not quite as sporting as previous ‘6’ owners might hope
• Some extras useful – like night vision, head-up display – but pricey.
• They added £8,650 to 640d M Sport test car. On road price £75,395

What you need to Know?

P11D Value:	66,650 (£75,210 test car)
Monthly Rental*:	n/a
Tax Band when posted:	22%, 23%, 24%
Monthly BiK:	£69 (20%)/£138 (40%)
Engine:	3 litre in-line, twin-turbo 6-cylinder diesel
CO2 Emissions:	144g/km
Power/torque:	313bhp/465lb ft
Economy:	51.4mpg

Monthly contract hire (CH) and personal contract hire (PCH) rentals generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.

Business Car Manager Road Test Rating

BMW to date has sold some 14,000 6 Series cars in the UK and regards the latest version, in both coupe and convertible form, as competing against just three significant rivals: Jaguar’s XK, the Mercedes-Benz SL and Maserati’s Granturismo. Jaguar last year took the lion’s share of 46 per cent. BMW captured second place with 22 per cent, a bonnet length ahead of the SL’s 21, and with Maserati bringing up the rear on 11. Brian Cox, BMW’s UK product operations manager, expresses modest hopes that the new version of the coupe – which historically has outsold the convertible two-to-one – will lever open a bigger share and he is likely to be proved right.

The new ‘6’ might lack some of the outright pace and agility of the Jaguar or, even after its post-Bangle re-styling, match the sensuous beauty of the Maserati. But it looks good, goes very well indeed – and has that muscular diesel as its ace in the hole against its petrol-only perceived rivals. On the EU combined test cycle it will travel twice as far on a gallon as the Jag and 22 miles further than the 350 SL Mercedes. And its lowly CO2 of 144 makes for £120 VED against £790 for the 226g/km SL and £1,000 for the 264 g/km Jaguar.

And then consider these other business car benefits: the BMW M Sport Coupe has a benefit in kind company car tax rating of just 22%; all its rivals are in the 35% category. It is the only one of the coupes to qualify under the 160g/km capital allowances tax break; and business rentals will be allowed at 100% – the BMW’s rivals can only claim 85%.

Pricing is also competitive: £62,080 on-road before extras, although Cox says he expects that, just as with the previous model, over 95 per cent of buyers will pay the extra £3,665 for the M Sport aerodynamic tweaks. That compares with £68,360 basic for the SL, £63,900 for the Jaguar and heady £82,140 for the Maserati. In straitened times, even at Board level, such figures take on hard-to-ignore significance.