BMW has achieved supercar levels of performance with its new 552bhp M6 coupé & convertible. The two are BMW’s fastest ever two door road cars, with a top speed of nearly 305kph. They’re powered by a twin turbocharged 4.4 litre V8. The new M6 coupe will debut at next month’s Geneva motor show & the cabriolet will be revealed at the New York motor show in April this year.
The latest M6 coupé & convertible are closely related to the recently introduced M5 saloon, sharing its potent twin turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 petrol engine & seven speed, dual clutch gearbox. With 552bhp & 69.4kgm of torque, the engine develops 52bhp & 16.8kgm of torque more than the naturally aspirated 5.0 litre V10 of the previous generation M6.
It has sufficient reserves, says BMW, to compensate for the increase in kerb weight to 1850kg (the previous M6 coupé weighed 1710kg) & to propel the fixed head car from a standstill to 100kph in 4.2sec & to 200kph in 12.6sec
Drive is channelled to the rear wheels via M division’s active differential, as on the M5. In standard form, the M6 reaches a top speed limited to 250kph — or 305kph with the optional M Driver’s Package.
The performance of the new 1980kg M6 convertible (50kg heavier than before) is no less impressive. It posts official times of 4.3sec for 0-100kph & 13.1sec for 0-200kph, together with the same top speed as the coupé.
Exterior changes compared with a regular 6 series are largely functional & aimed, for the most part, at providing sufficient cooling air for the engine. They include a deep front spoiler, widened front wings, a unique front grille, a prominent diffuser, signature quad exhausts & 19in alloy wheels shod with 265/40 R19 tyres at the front & 295/35 R19s at the rear.
BMW has implemented a series of weight saving measures designed to offset the M6’s increased dimensions, higher standard equipment levels & more substantial rear seats. These include a clear lacquered CFRP (carbonfibre reinforced plastic) roof for the M6 coupé, together with aluminium skinned doors & bonnet, composite plastic front wings & a glassfibre composite boot lid for both models.
Underpinning the new M6s is a heavily reworked version of the standard 6 series’ double wishbone (front) & multi link (rear) suspension, with track widths shared with the M5 saloon & unique dampers, springs & bushing.
Among a raft of standard electronic driving aids are uniquely calibrated ABS (anti lock brakes), DSC (dynamic stability control) ASC (anti skid control), CBC (cornering brake control), DBC (dynamic brake control) & DBF (dry braking function) systems.
For the first time on the M6, BMW is also offering the new coupé & convertible with optional carbon ceramic brake discs. Available in combination with optional 20in wheels, the carbon ceramic discs measure 410mm up front & 396mm at the rear & are claimed to weigh 19.4kg less in total than the standard steel items, for significantly lower unsprung masses. The new carbon-ceramic brakes are distinguished by six-piston & single-piston floating calipers painted gold.
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