<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/convertibles/" rel="tag">Convertible</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/driving/" rel="tag">First Drive</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/luxury/" rel="tag">Luxury</a></p><em><big>Frolicking Topless Under The African Sun In BMW's Latest Big GT</big></em><br />
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-review/"><img alt="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/lead1-2012-bmw-6-series-convertible.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
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	<strong><em><small>2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></em></strong></div>
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To say that the second-generation <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/6+series">BMW 6 Series</a> caused a bit of a scene when it hit the world stage in 2003 would be to underplay its shock value. The Dingolfing, Germany-built coupe and convertible's styling seemed to win admirers and ruffle traditionalists' feathers in equal measure, but regardless of how you feel about its aesthetics, the 6's long model run has been a success, resulting in nearly 118,000 units sold.<br />
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Despite this victory (and despite what BMW officials tell us), there has been a clear bit of design capitulation in the halls of Bavaria, as Chris Bangle's controversial surfacing treatments and high trunk lines have been smoothed out in newer models in favor of less polarizing designs throughout the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a> empire.<br />
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So it is with the 2012 6 Series range, which launches with the 650i convertible model shown here, a model that's due to hit showrooms this April (just in time for top-down season). With North America enduring a hyperborean winter, it was only appropriate that we head to more temperate climates for some quality top-down running. BMW evidently had the same thought, so they sent us to Cape Town, South Africa. Famous for its finned and pointy-teethed population coursing offshore, we couldn't think of a more appropriate spot to sample the 6 Series' reborn shark nose look.<br />
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/07/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-first-drive-review-road-test/#continued">Continue reading</a>...<br />
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<div><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-review">2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible: First Drive</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-review/"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/01-2012-bmw-6-series-convertible_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" title="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-review/"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/02-2012-bmw-6-series-convertible_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" title="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-review/"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/03-2012-bmw-6-series-convertible_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" title="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-review/"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/04-2012-bmw-6-series-convertible_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" title="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-review/"><img src="http://blog.pangeic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/05-2012-bmw-6-series-convertible_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" title="2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong><small>Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert / AOL</small></strong></em><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/07/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-first-drive-review-road-test/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>First Drive: 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible</em></a></p><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/07/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-first-drive-review-road-test/">First Drive: 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/07/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-first-drive-review-road-test/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19830598/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/07/2012-bmw-6-series-convertible-first-drive-review-road-test/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>