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2005 BMW 6 Series Convertible Road Test

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A Star is Born

Beverly Hills, California is a magical place. Palms tower majestically overhead, the air is filled with the sweet aroma of fresh blossoms and exotic flowers, and the outside temperature is identical to the inside of the hotel - a strange sensation after having just left behind the northwest mid-winter.

The hotel that takes on the citys name is at least as magical as the area itself, having been host to the worlds richest and most famous for decades. Rodeo drive runs perpendicular to the Beverly Hills Hotels Sunset Boulevard address, its edges lined with massive ficus trees extending their intricate latticework of roots across the greenery in search of moisture. They look as if theyve been there for centuries.

I saw more BMWs in Beverly Hills than any other marque. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Of course they arent that old, nor are the richly appointed homes that crowd the famed roadway. Premium cars pour through the street, congregating at stoplights before parking nose to nose in circular driveways behind wrought iron gates. BMW seems to be the marque of choice. Sure, Mercedes SLs are as plentiful here as Honda Civics in my town, with a Lexus or two, the odd Jag, and even a new Rolls-Royce Phantom, motoring along. Yet

BMW took us to their California design studio to talk with 7-Series and now 6-Series designer, and most recently overseer of BMW brand styling Adrian van Hooydonk. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Could BMW have picked a more ideal location to launch its latest star? I cant think of one. And the new 6-Series Coupe and Convertible have star power, drawing as much attention from

Having just debuted in Detroit, the new BMW 6-Series convertible was simply gorgeous on the open road, or on this field of tall grass. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

And for good reason. BMWs new flagship coupe and convertible are gorgeous, the topless model especially. While I spent the better part of the morning in a couple of hardtops, one with a 6-speed manual and the other with the brands velvety smooth 6-speed automatic with manual mode, these werent the reason I was invited to take part in the event. I covered the coupe previously after a trip to Malaga, Spain. The convertible that just debuted in Detroit, however, is the biggest news.

Its been 45 years since BMW has built a large convertible, and the 6-Series model it a triumphant return. (Photo: American Auto Press)

BMW hasnt built a large, 4-seat, volume convertible since the late 56 through 59 Albrecht Goertz designed 503, and even that model in fixed and removable roof form only combined to sell 418 units over its 4 year lifecycle.

Forty-five years is a long time for any premium manufacturer to go without such an important image car. But BMW isnt a "micro brewery" anymore, a term the cars head designer Adrian van Hooydonk chose to classify just how small a player the Bavarian brand was fifty or so years ago. Its now a major player in the sport-luxury scene, with vehicles in almost every vehicle segment and more on the way.