My Two Dents on the New BMW 6-Series Coupe Concept

Finally, we've gotten a glimpse at the new 6-Series Coupe. Not the Gran Coupe nor the Gran Turismo, but the actual, factual, second-gen new 6-Series. Although it's technically called a concept, you know what we're dealing with. This is supposed to be BMW's big GT, but when picturing it on the street next to a Maserati GranTurismo for example, the car just doesn't impress on a major scale. It's not all bad, though.

The exterior is very expected, and thus bland. "Bland" because the 6-Series is a car you buy for its outward appearance as well as interior finish, and the appearance just isn't "chic" enough to fit the bill. That's not to say it doesn't look good, but its face could have been more "well-tailored prom king" and less "plain Jane at locker 47" (fingers crossed for the M6). Considering the 6-Series' target consumer has a high-school mentality, its pretty but average exterior might hurt it in the long run.

The nose is where it really loses points for me; it's just too busy and simple at the same time. The rest of the exterior, though, is quite a nice evolution. That flare that drops from the front fenders into the rockers is very attractive and does a good job of adding depth to an otherwise 2D surface (character line or no). At the rear, the 6-Series' tail - with its snazzy wraparound lights - succeeds nicely in evolving away from the Bangle butt and blends nicely with the rest of the car (and lineup).

As previously mentioned, both interior and exterior styling are equally important in this segment, making the new 6-Series slightly unbalanced. How so? While the exterior is pretty but beige, the interior is jaw-droppingly stunning.

Under the glass roof, the 6-Series' concept's interior is an eyes-wide event. Its layout is driver-centric and appears to be tailored for a king, all while screaming at you with B&O speakers.

Lines cross at obscure points and the materials are interestingly fitted in order to make the inner realm of BMW's GT a time consumer to look at (in a good way). It simply takes a while to fully absorb all the details and it's delightful.

Set to fill the gap of between the 5- and 7-Series, this car is almost exactly as expected and thus a tad disappointing from a passer-by's standpoint. To debut this at Paris, a show viewed as the models' runway of the automotive world (i.e. the outside is what everyone sees first and judges...harshly), indicates that BMW may truly be running into a design dead-end.

If that's the case, BMW's "dontblogaboutthis" car had better be a fan-friggin-tastic techno tour de force because the next 6-Series is shaping up to be a vehicle where it's only what's on the inside that counts. As always, sales will tell the story, and facelifts are always there should the need arise.

By Phil Alex

READ MORE - My Two Dents on the New BMW 6-Series Coupe Concept

Malignant Rumors: Zeta Is Back - Or Is It?

Malignant Rumors: Zeta Is Back - Or Is It?

Even though GM's current situation makes it difficult to predict what the future holds for the troubled automaker, Zeta platform rumors have been making the rounds again, and I like what I'm hearing. It turns out GM may want to spread the Zeta love, making use of it in everything from cop cars to Cadillacs. What are the possibilities? Let's cogitate. The G8 (rebadged as a Chevy) police cruisers from down under stand a good chance of making it, as long as Holden pitches the idea right. Not only could they make up for the Impala, the sales would help offset Holden's expected billion (Aussie) dollar annual loss from its expected export of 30,000 G8s to America.

The doorway's already open; Ford's Panther platform is on its way out. With some 60,000 Crown Vics moved yearly as cop cars, this leaves a lot of sales the Zeta sedan could snag. If the cruisers made it, then perhaps the G8 could get another shot, as the new Impala. Don't even start to think LS3 Impala SS, or you'll jinx it.

Then there's the lovely Pontiac ST, a car-based utility vehicle that was trying oh-so-hard to bring back 1983 and whitewash jeans with a vengeance. Sadly, the Pontiac Ute was killed, followed quickly by the brand itself. To make further use of Zeta, people are theorizing that GM could place the ST in the GMC lineup. A car-based GMC truck (Caballero!) would be a fresh vehicle in a stagnant lineup of badge-engineered Chevrolets that's just now starting to get unique options in the form of the 2010 Terrain.

Topping off the range is Cadillac. The DTS/STS replacement with the extended-wheelbase Zeta under it could supply the American luxury brand with a large, RWD car to compete with ze Germans and Japanese. If you factor in Cadillac's ever-improving designs, it's a car for people who want full-size luxury and who also want to buy American. Standard of the World? Not quite, but it would be a fitting (and economically feasible) new model after the latest CTS.

What about the engine lineup? With the Zeta platform, a lot is possible. The required V8's would appear, of course, but what about people who don't want a guzzler? Offer smaller engines like the direct injection V6 and a hybrid option and people will take notice. There's also whisperings of turbocharged 4-cylinders making the rounds. And diesels? That would almost be a necessity for something like the ST, where utility would be a selling point.

The questions I pose are these: What kinds of Zeta-based cars do you think that American consumers want to see (sedans, coupes, utes)? What kinds of power trains are important to you? Ultimately, what would make you buy "big" from GM and its remaining brands?

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel. When not back in Sparkle City, he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. Oh, and if for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

READ MORE - Malignant Rumors: Zeta Is Back - Or Is It?

South Carolina Cop Clocked at 131MPH Grinds My Gears

South Carolina Cop Clocked at 131MPH Grinds My Gears

So it appears vengeance is mine! Half a year ago I was pulled for doing 80-ish in a 70 on I-26 in Newberry, South Carolina (no surprise there). Being Newberry and knowing the troopers there protect and serve with a passion, I should have known better. Also knowing that they care enough to ticket anyone without prejudice lets me know that I'll be safe on the road whenever I'm there, because South Carolinians know that the first rule about Newberry is: YOU DO NOT SPEED IN NEWBERRY.

While not exactly a "don't drop the soap" infraction, it was hardly entertaining (especially the fact that mere seconds before the blue lights came on I said to myself, "That's probably an unmarked car"). After the kind officer gave me my ticket I pulled back onto the highway and continued my journey. Now it appears as if everything has come full circle, and people need to know about this one.

We've all seen police speeding around; usually jokes about being cops and getting away with it are told and fun is had all around, really knowing that when 5-0 is driving fast they're off to catch some bad guys (or raid your trunk). In this case a State Trooper was running late for Carolina Cup duty (we all know not to speed anywhere near there, either) and assumed as a cop it would be ok to jet to work at over 130 miles per hour.

Well, boss, here's a lesson for you: you ain't above the law, even if you are the law. If an average Joe were caught at that speed, the possibility of a suspended license would be no question (although in all reality a wallet-leeching ticket would be more likely).

I hope the cop's punishment is just. This isn't mere "haha, busted" talk; this is serious. People like this guy need to learn that doing that kind of speed on a public road endangers everyone, especially in such a highly-trafficked area. Frankly, officers like him are the ones who give cops a bad name and invoke the aforementioned jokes about the popo going over the line just because they have badges.

A little respect has been lost for the South Carolina State Troopers in my book, and unless this guy gets more than just a slap on the wrist that respect won't be earned back for a very long time. I invite people to write in to make sure the judge shows Oinky McSpeeds-a-lot what happens when you break the law to the point of such reckless excess. I don't like disrespecting cops. Hypocrites, on the other hand, are no problem at all.

By Phil Alex

Story: Charlotteobserver , Photo: Schp

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel. When not back in Sparkle City, he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. Oh, and if for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner.

READ MORE - South Carolina Cop Clocked at 131MPH Grinds My Gears