Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Premium Coupe
Production years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
The BMW 635 CSI was the most powerful version of the first generation of the 6 series coupe at the time of its launch on the market in 1979. It was a coupe faster and more comfortable than other GT vehicles on the market.
After the successful BMW 3.0 CS at the beginning of the '70s, the German company needed a replacement. Paul Braq designed a new vehicle based on the already existing platform of the BMW 5-Series, which allowed the use of 4 and 6 cylinder engines. But for a performance coupe, BMW didn't want to use an inline-four and chose only the inline-six units. Even though it was considered the two-door version of the 7-Series, it was a mix between the 5-Series platform and 7-Series design cues.
The first generation of the 7-Series and the 6-Series were designed by the same team and that is why they are similar in shapes. The shark-nose design and the descending trunk line were similar. But unlike the executive sedan, the 6 Series featured frameless windows for the doors and only two seats in the back. The dashboard featured a centers stack tilted toward the driver and the instrument cluster featured four dials. It was the same layout kept by the German car-maker for over two decades: coolant temperature, tachometer, speedometer, and fuel level.
The engine was a 3.5-liter inline-six with a broad torque range that helped the car pull in every of its standard 5-speed gearbox. The up-mounted gear-stick was one of its main advantages over other luxury coupes on the market. It was available with an automatic transmission as well, named 635 CSI A.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.5L 5MT (218 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 3453 cm3 |
Power: | 160 KW @ 5200 RPM 218 HP @ 5200 RPM 215 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 224 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 304 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/70 VR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 187.2 in (4755 mm) |
Width: | 69 in (1753 mm) |
Height: | 54.5 in (1384 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.3/57.6 in (1,430/1,463 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 103.3 in (2624 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 14.7 cuFT (416 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.4 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3308.3 lbs (1501 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4177.8 lbs (1895 kg) |