110 By the Dart • Motoring BMW 6-seRIes M sPORT COnVeRTIBLe
If you have always dreamed of a car that is rather special, the kind of car you want rather than need, and would be the sort of model that turns heads and make you have a compelling desire to head for the sun and a smart hotel on the French Riviera, then the new BMW 6 series convertible is ideal. the 6 series range was revised in the middle of last year: you can choose from a fixed roof Coupe (from £59,430) or the convertible version which costs £5,900 more. For the same price as the fixed head car, you could also consider the rather rakish four door Gran Coupe with extra space in the back. But my choice would be the convertible. styling changes are so subtle only the owner of an old one is likely to notice, confined to modest reworkings of front and rear metalwork and lights and different alloy wheels. Inside the car there is even more leather, along with flashes of high gloss black. If you have a successful formula, why change it? under the bonnet, small tweaks have produced a bit more economy from the diesel engine and the smaller of the three petrol engines offered. the latter trio now have a ‘loud button’ that adds an edge to the exhaust note when you’re feeling somewhat sporty. My featured version is a flagship model - the 3.0 litre 640d M sport Convertible which costs £71,530 and is
suZuKI CeLeRIO
the latest suzuki, the Celerio, is a small city hatchback designed to offer practical daily transport and very low running costs. With prices starting at just £7,999 for a 1.0 litre petrol model with a road-tax-free 99g/km emissions figure, the car has an instant attraction for those seeking budget motoring. Add fuel economy of 65.7 mpg combined and the appeal increases (a dualjet version offering 78 mpg is also available). equipment is not as sparse as you may think - you get alloy wheels, air conditioning, a DAB radio and Bluetooth, a CD player and even a trip computer as standard. For an extra £1,000 you can add other kit in- cluding special polished alloy wheels, black front grille, front fog lamps and electric door mirrors. Built in thailand but designed in Japan, the Celerio looks modern and modest at the same time. nothing to offend the eye in a shape that provides surprising headroom and a bigger boot than you expect in a car this small. Its modest 67 hp three-cylinder engine provides
enthusiastic noises and enough urge for most needs, helped by a light clutch and slick gear shifts from the 5-speed box. With nimble steering and well balanced suspension for a smooth ride and stable corning, the Celerio impresses in an under-stated manner. the 0-60 mph time is not quick at 13.5 seconds, but perfectly acceptable for the kind of everyday activities such small cars are normally used for. It is a pleasant little car which ticks all the economy boxes and no rival offers so much equipment for the price.
IT DRIVES WITH THE ALL THE SUPREME REFINEMENT AND
APLOMB ONE WOULD EXPECT
laden with equipment and creature comforts far too extensive to list. With 309 hp under its sleek bonnet, it provides a 0-60 mph time of just 5.5 seconds, a top speed of 155 mph and still manages to return 50.4 mpg combined. It drives with the all the supreme refinement and aplomb one would expect - a smooth sporty cruiser which can eat up the miles along the english riviera (or its French equivalent if you desire a longer trip). none of the 6 series newcomers is
destined to be a big seller, though they add lustre and useful profits to the BMW brand, as well as kudos and exclusivity for potential
owners.that, of course, is part of the attraction of this alluring and charismatic model!
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