BMW M6 (2012 – 2018) Review

February 2012

New BMW M6 unveiled

Powered by the latest V8 M TwinPower Turbo engine producing 560hp, these bold 6 Series flagship models offer searing performance and sporting dynamics, combined with supreme long-distance touring manners and everyday usability. With near 50:50 weight distribution and optimised aerodynamics the latest BMW M6 offers an intense M experience.

Thanks to BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies and the range of measures this incorporates, the new M6 is both cleaner and 30 per cent more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, despite being significantly faster and more powerful.

Bespoke M design, a driver-focused cabin and cutting edge in-car technology, makes the new M6 the most desirable yet, whether ordered with the lightweight carbon-fibre roof or the elegant retractable soft top.

Dimensions: 4,894mm x 1,894mm x 1,369mm

Model	Power hp	Torque Nm	0 – 62mph Seconds	Top Speed Mph	Combined Mpg	CO2 Emissions g/km
BMW M6 Coupé	560	680	4.2	155*	28.5	232
BMW M6 Convertible	560	680	4.3	155*	27.4	239

* Electronically limited

At the front a new M apron with wide air-intake apertures provides the necessary cooling for the engine, while sharply contoured headlamps featuring the characteristic BMW Corona rings shine brightly thanks to the latest Adaptive LED headlight technology. The new M kidney grille, with its black slats and shape inspired by the double spoke alloy wheels, enhances the front end.

To the side, a 30mm increase in the front track has resulted in a significant swelling of the front wheel arches, with the familiar M gills behind them featuring chrome flares and indicator bars with the M logo. At the rear, the now-traditional twin pairs of exhaust pipes sit either side of the aerodynamically optimised diffuser.

The new M6 comes as standard with 19” Star-spoke forged alloy wheels featuring seven double spokes in a two-tone finish. Optional 20” alloy wheels, with five double spokes hinting at the weight saving their lightweight design provides, are also available.

The BMW M6 Coupé once again uses a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic roof panel, lowering the car’s centre of gravity and improving handling agility as a result. In addition, the dark colour of the roof elongates the silhouette of the car when viewed in profile, something that’s further exaggerated by the BMW High-gloss Shadowline trim around the side glass.

The M6 Convertible features the same high quality retractable roof as the 6 Series Convertible, with its ‘fin’ architecture projecting into the rear section, enhancing the silhouette of the car. The heated vertical glass rear window retracts independently of the roof itself. Operation of the roof is via a button on the centre console, and it can be raised and lowered at anything from a standstill to speeds of up to 25mph. Just 19 seconds is all it takes to lower the roof; 24 seconds to raise it once again. Buyers can choose from Black, Beige or Anthracite Silver fleck for the roof material colour.

The new BMW M6 Coupé and M6 Convertible are equipped with the same high-revving, turbocharged V8 engine as the M5 Saloon. This revolutionary powerplant not only produces 53hp more than its ten-cylinder predecessor at 560hp, but it also benefits from a greatly improved torque output over a broad band of revs. It’s this 680Nm, available from as low as 1,500rpm to 5,750rpm, that not only gives the new M6 its stunning outright acceleration, but also its commanding flexibility on-road.

The key to this impressive performance is BMW’s M TwinPower Turbo technology, incorporated on the M6 via twin turbochargers built in to the twin scroll principle, including a cross-bank exhaust manifold. This sophisticated, 4.4-litre engine also includes direct fuel injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double VANOS continuously variable camshaft control, all of which help it to rev to 7,200rpm – unusually high for a turbocharged engine.

The result is a 0-62mph sprint of just 4.2 seconds for the M6 Coupé, with the M6 Convertible following at 4.3 seconds. Both versions have a top speed limited to 155mph.

This marked increase in performance has gone hand in hand with significant improvements to fuel consumption and emissions. With the adoption of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology, the efficiency of the V8 M TwinPower Turbo engine is further improved by Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and Active Aerodynamics amongst others, helping to reduce consumption and emissions by approximately 30 per cent. The new BMW M6 Coupé has a combined fuel consumption of 28.5mpg (Convertible 27.4mpg) with CO2 emissions of 232g/km (Convertible 239g/km). Moreover, with an increased fuel tank size of 80 litres, the new BMW M6 offers excellent touring range.

The new BMW M6 models use BMW M’s latest seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) with DRIVELOGIC. This advanced transmission features two oil-cooled ‘wet’ clutches, offering near-seamless shifts. The DRIVELOGIC control offers three separate shift programs, both in automatic and manual modes, providing the driver with the best of both worlds whether they are looking for the sportiest selection of gears or driving comfort. M DCT also includes a Launch Control function, while in manual mode gears can be changed via either the M gear selector or via paddles on the M Sport steering wheel.

The M DCT gearbox is part of an advanced powertrain that also includes the M-Differential. This electronically controlled multi-plate limited slip differential ensures the best possible traction at all times, with a locking factor from 0-100 per cent. As with many of the other systems on the new BMW M6, it is linked into the car’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system to ensure maximum driving safety.

BMW’s M division has worked tirelessly on the chassis of the new M6, and the result is a sporting car that combines tremendous ability for high performance driving with everyday usability. Drawing on their vast collective experience and legendary back catalogue, the M engineers have combined their knowledge with the latest technology, honing it over an extensive testing period.

To meet the expectations of the most demanding drivers, the rear axle subframe has been bolted directly to the body, the front axle kinematics redesigned with M-specific settings, and a number of 6 Series suspension components replaced with forged aluminium items. The electro-hydraulically controlled dampers feature BMW’s Variable Damper Control (VDC) with a choice of three settings, so that drivers can tailor the suspension of the M6 to best suit their driving style and environment at any given moment.

The new M6 is steered via a hydraulic rack and pinion system, with a variable ratio to increase low-speed agility while offering outstanding stability at speed. M-specific Servotronic power steering offers ideal weighting for the driver, with a choice of three settings for further personalisation.

BMW’s sophisticated Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) uses many of the cars electronic systems – such as ABS, CBC and DBC – to provide an effective safety net. However, drivers can select the M Dynamic Mode (MDM) that overrides the basic settings, allowing for greater wheel slip and even more sporty driving characteristics.

The settings for the DSC, the engine characteristics, DDC, Servotronic and M DCT DRIVELOGIC can all be adjusted via the buttons on the centre console or from within the BMW iDrive system. However, drivers can also assign particular configurations to the ‘M1’ and ‘M2’ buttons located on the steering wheel. This way, for example, the driver can store a ‘sporty’ set up and a ‘comfort’-biased set up that can be accessed immediately at the touch of button.

The new BMW M6 Coupé and M6 Convertible feature as standard a powerful braking system with 400mm front discs and 396mm rear discs, gripped by six-piston callipers on the front axle that can be identified by their dark blue metallic finish.

However, for the first time buyers can choose the latest optional M Carbon Ceramic Brakes, with front discs measuring 410mm in diameter and 396mm on the rear axle. This powerful new braking system offers even better resistance to heat and a reduction in the rotational masses by 19.4kg. The matte gold finish on the brake callipers identifies cars equipped with these outstanding brakes.

In addition to the aforementioned carbon-fibre reinforced plastic roof the new M6 benefits from a hybrid construction of steel, aluminium and composite materials to give an immensely strong platform that’s remarkably light. In addition to the high strength steels used in the monocoque, the doors and bonnet are fashioned in aluminium while the front wings are formed in plastic. The boot lid, and the roof cover on the convertible, are made from an SMC fibreglass material.

With robust load path structures, large and precisely engineered deformation zones and the latest restraint systems, the new M6 has been engineered with safety as a priority.

As the ultimate expression of the BMW M ethos, the interior of the new M6 Coupé and M6 Convertible is a blend of luxury appointments and sporting intent. The new M Sport seats, a lightweight design, feature an integrated seat belt system, electric seat adjustment, a pneumatic lumbar adjustment and manually adjustable under thigh support. Active head restraints also feature, and the M logo embossed into the shoulder area is the finishing touch.

The cockpit is finished in fine grain extended Merino leather, with the dynamic styling of the 6 Series interior particularly suited to the role of an M car. There’s more space too, and 460 litres of luggage capacity, 300-350 litres in the M6 Convertible depending on whether the roof is raised or lowered, an increase over its predecessor.

The driver’s environment is particularly sporty, with an instrument facia featuring the latest Black Panel technology, M dials with red needles and white instrumentation and the M logo. Should the driver raise their eyes they’ll see the M-specific Head-Up Display (HUD) with its digital speedometer readout and speed limit identification, gear and rev counter and shift lights.

The new BMW M6 offers a particularly high level of standard equipment. In addition to the advanced mechanical package that the car offers, the M6 driver enjoys two-zone climate control, heated and multi-adjustable M Sport seats, the M-specific HUD, Extended Merino leather interior trim and BMW Professional Navigation with 10.2” colour screen. Customers can then further personalise their cars with an upgrade to 20” alloy wheels, M Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Internet, BMW Night Vision and a Bang and Olufsen Advanced audio system.

The new M6 Coupé and Convertible goes on sale in the UK on 15 September 2012, with the Coupé costing £93,795 and the Convertible £98,995.