New BMW M6 revealed

BMW has achieved supercar levels of performance with its new 552bhp M6 coupé and 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 and the cabriolet will be revealed at the New York motor show in April this year. 

The latest M6 coupé and convertible are closely related to the recently introduced M5 saloon, sharing its potent twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine and seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. With 552bhp and 69.4kgm of torque, the engine develops 52bhp and 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) and to propel the fixed-head car from a standstill to 100kph in 4.2sec and 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 and 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 and 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 and 19in alloy wheels shod with 265/40 R19 tyres at the front and 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 and more substantial rear seats. These include a clear lacquered CFRP (carbonfibre-reinforced plastic) roof for the M6 coupé, together with aluminium-skinned doors and bonnet, composite plastic front wings and 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) and multi-link (rear) suspension, with track widths shared with the M5 saloon and unique dampers, springs and 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) and DBF (dry braking function) systems.

For the first time on the M6, BMW is also offering the new coupé and convertible with optional carbon-ceramic brake discs. Available in combination with optional 20in wheels, the carbon-ceramic discs measure 410mm up front and 396mm at the rear and 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 and single-piston floating calipers painted gold.

Checkout the all-new BMW M6 image gallery