Blog

Latest Industry News

BMW M6 Finally Arrives

500HP, 11 Shift Programs, and a Carbon Fiber Roof.
BMW’s M6 high performance coupe started with borrowing the 500HP 5.5L V10 and seven-speed sequential manual gearbox found in the latest M5. Though launched in 2005 in Europe, North American sales do not begin until spring 2006. The M6 was introduced in the States at the 2006 Los Angeles auto show in January, where its nearly $97,000 price tag was also revealed.

BMW_06_M6_blog.jpg

Subtle Styling Cues Signal Special Model
Consistent with European understated high performers, M6 specific exterior cues are subtle and include a larger front air intake, the unique nineteen-inch wheels, a new rear diffuser surrounding the four exhaust pipes, sculpted side sills, M-style mirrors, and the M logo in the ornamental side slats. There are seven colors available for the M6 in its first year, with four of them exclusive to BMW M cars.


Handling Aids and Shift Programs Enable Owners to Tailor Performance of Their M6
Among the handling aids available are an M Differential lock; a new generation of Dynamic Stability Control (with an M Dynamic mode); an Electronic Damper Control with Comfort, Normal, and Sports modes; and a hill detection that adjusts the transmission’s up- and downshifts when on hills or steep grades. The M6 is lighter than a 6-Series coupe, thanks in part to its carbon-fibre roof and lightweight nineteen-inch wheels.
BMW developed the M6 to be a car enjoyable both on the track and on the street, including the choice between three engine output programs (P400, P500, and P500 Sport) and a system called Drivelogic. The system, also used on the M5, makes eleven shift programs for the seven-speed SMG transmission available at the touch of a button. Combined with the Normal, Comfort, and Sport options included with the Electronic Damping Control and the ability to put the DSC in normal or M Dynamic mode or to shut it off entirely, BMW says there are a total of 279 possible settings. To help the owners maintain a semblance of sanity in this dizzying array of choices, a feature called M Drive allows the driver to tailor these settings into one program that can be selected using the M button on the steering wheel.

Back to top