With the launch of the M6 in the U.K. this weekend, BMW's V10 strikes again! First we saw the M5 sedan in May, and now the 18th official M-series car, the M6, makes this remarkable engine available in the GT class. BMW is entering a new market with the M6 2+2 GT, positioning the car against Ferrari and Aston Martin. Plenty of pictures and info after the jump!
A huge effort was made to lighten the 6-series in its transition to the M6, including the world’s first
mass-production carbon fiber roof, carbon fiber front and rear bumper supports, aluminum doors and hood, thermoplastic
front fenders and a molded deck lid. The roof alone saves about 11 pounds, and helps lower the car’s center of gravity.
Additional weight is saved by bonding the roof to the structure (vs. welding) and through a thinner and lighter rear
window.
2005’s International Engine of the Year finds a new home under the hood of the M6, its 507 hp driving the car to top
speeds over 200 mph, and from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds. The lightweight, naturally-aspirated V10 is redlined at 8,250
rpm, with a drive-by wire throttle separately controlling 10 individual throttle bodies.
The M6 features an all-new seven speed Sequential M Gearbox - a first for a production car. The SMG is managed by
BMW’s Drivelogic system, with no fewer than eleven distinct gear change programs. Six of the programs are manual, using
the gear lever or steering wheel paddles. Five modes are automatic. SMG gear changes happen in as little as 50
milliseconds - about 10 times faster than a quick gearchange in a normal box. The gearbox also includes launch control,
hill start assist, and hill recognition (changing shift points on up or down gradients).
The chassis has been stiffened, and the suspension modified from the standard 6-series. M-series power steering is
fitted, with a choice of three steering modes, ranging from “comfort” to “sport,” which mimic the electronic damper
control settings for the variable shock absorbers. The car shares the M5’s Dynamic Stability Control with MDynamic
mode, a dynamic traction control system. A big brake upgrade gives a 62-0 mph distance of about 85 feet. Wheels are
19x8.5 front/19x9.5 rear, and are over 4 pounds lighter than standard alloy wheels.
Interior features include leather everywhere, an M-series multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters, and
M-design gauges similar to the M5’s. A heads-up display is standard, with several modes of operation, including
navigation and M-mode.
All this (and more!) for about $143,000 in the U.K. All 400 cars allocated to the U.K. for 2006 are spoken for. I
wonder if I could just buy the “power” button…
[Source: BMW]
