BMW 630i

It was an extra fitted to the BMW 630i and I reckon that most cars will have something similar within ten years or so.

For those who have never heard of a "heads up display" here's a swift explanation: a digital readou is shone on to the windscreen making your speed appear as if by magic at a point just above the end of the bonnet. To avoid causing a distraction the numerals are actually translucent so you can see right through them.

The benefit is that you never have to look at the speedo to know how fast you are driving - ever. You just keep your eyes on the road and refocus on the numerals when you need to.

BMW says up to 300 different warning messages can be projected on to the windscreen as well as satellite navigation instructions. A button on the dash allows the system to be dimmed at night or turned off altogether.

The 630i Coupe has other Teutonic technological tricks up its sleeve. At the car's heart lies a six-cylinder engine that is the lightest of its type in the world. Engineers at BMW believe it surpasses all others in smoothness and response.

Weighing just 121kg it's both more powerful and more fuel effecient that the engine it replaces.

It should also be more flxible. The torque curve (a great way to measure flexibility) is much flatter than before. The peak now starts at 2,500 rpm and is maintained all the way to 4,000 rpm. The previous 3.0 litre engine only achieved peak torque at 3,000 rpm.

The engine also marks the first time BMW has fitted it's variable valve timing system (called VANOS) and variable valve opening technology (the snappily named Valvetronic) have been fitted to one six-cylinder unit.

This is the major reason why this powerplant develops 258 bhp, 27 bhp more than the outgoing engine. This represents one of the highest specific output per litre in the 630's class.

Another reason for the increased efficiency - and greater refinement - is BMW's decision to put the engine on a diet. A composite aluminium and magnesium block (another world first) is 43 per cent lighter than a comparable crankcase made from iron. Even the camshafts have been pressure formed to make them 600g lighter. An electric powered water pump also helps reduce fuel efficiency by doing away with the need for a drive belt.

The 630i is certainly a very frugal vehicle. It has an official combined fuel consumption figure of 31.4 mpg. During the test ours actually did a little better, returning an overall mpg figure of 34.2 - a terrific result for such a large car.

This 630i may be the "baby" of the 6-series range but it still has enough grunt to propel the 1650kg GT to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited 155 mph top speed.

The engine's smoothness is marred somewhat by ab unforgiving clutch which sometimes feels more like an on/off switch. Progress in town is jerky unless you concentrate hard on changing gear as smoothly as possible.

This isn't an issue at higher motorway cruising speed, however, and if you feel the change mars an otherwise fluent operation there's always the automatic option.

Colour is obviously very important to the 6-Series. Our gun metal grey metallic 630i looked terrific, the shade accentuating the long, low curves perfectly (mind you, the boot spoils the line and still looks like a sack of wet cement to me). But I've seen black 6-Series' that that stand out about as much as a supergrass on a witness protection scheme.

The styling is almost identical to the flagship 645Ci but careful attention reveals round rather than oval exhaust pipes and the slats on the air intake have been dechromed.

Interestingly the air intakes behind the front grille can change position to facilitate the engine's cooling and combustion requirements. Clever stuff. When the engine doesn't need this the flaps snap shut to improve aerodynamic air flow over the bonnet.

It's a big car, the Six, and there's loads of room in the front. Adults who sit in the two individual buckets (trimmed in blood red leather) in the back have reasonable legroom as well. Getting into the rear is easy but older (and fatter) passengers may well have a hard time heaving themselves out.

BMW persist with its controversial iDrive single controller for satellite, audio and heating control. It's too clever by half and no replacement for straighforward dials and switches. A button on the steering allows the driver to control 80 per cent of the system's functions by voice command - a telling addition methinks.

A digital TV tuner is also available as an option.

The boot is wide and long but rather shallow. Luggage capacity is 450-litres which isn't at all bad for a coupe, even one as big as this car. There is a bit of a lip, though, so packing heavy cases isn't as easy as it could be. BMW has done away with a spare tyre altogether; the 630i has "run flat" tyres instead.

The market is filled with great luxury coupes at the moment. BMW's biggest threat comes from the new Jaguar XK and the Mercedes SL - both excellent cars in different ways. If you'll excuse the pun - if your buying power puts you in this class your coupe really does runneth over at the moment.

Priced at £45,255 before any extras, the 630i offers good value compared with other lucury coupes. BMW research shows that this market will increase by 50 per cent by 2015 so it whas priced the Six to sell.

So far the main buyers apppear to have been affluent businessmen aged 40 to 55. The cheaper six-cylinder car is expected to appeal to a younger more mixed audience.

If running costs are a worry BMW offers a five-year (60,000 mile) all inclusive servicing package for a noe off price of £1,250. This covers replacement of a wide range of consumables.

So there you have the BMW 630i - a super coupe with distinct looks that may not be to everyone's taste and effortless performance. It's not just big, it's clever too. I haven't even mentioned the "Sport" button next to the gearshift that sharpens up the engine management and prevents the electronics dipping a toe in the water until things get really naughty. In fact it's the dual personality that makes this coupe such a great car. You can cruise along enjoying the scenery then switch to full-on "sport" mode at the press of a button.

As a technological showcase it's a stunner - and the heads up display is a winner - but just as importantly the surprisingly reasonable running costs and a comfortable cabin could clinch a sale from the driver who wants to look good but still requires four seat and decent size boot.

Specification

Engine: 2,998cc/six-cylinder Max power: 258 bhp 0-62 mph: 6.5 seconds Max speed: 155 mph (electronically limited) Average fuel consumption: 34.2 mpg Insurance group: 18 For comfort: Electric windows; automatic air conditioning; automatic dimming rear view mirror;single cd player; leather upholstery; 10-speaker hi-fi system; heated windscreen washer jets For safety: Front, side and head airbags; stbility control; dynamic brake control; run-flat tyres; tyre puncture warning system