BMW Launches 2006 M6

VIDEO(01:00) Running Footage New M6
VIDEO(02:49) Ulrich Brunke, Head of BMW M Cars
VIDEO(02:49) Ulf Weidhase, Head of design BMW M Cars

Launching the new M6, BMW M GmbH is proudly presenting the most dynamic and sporting rendition of the 6 Series Luxury Coupé. This makes BMW’s large Coupé in the guise of the M6 one of the most beautiful cars in the world – and at the same time the most sophisticated and powerful 6 Series there has ever been: five litres engine capacity, 10 cylinders, 507 bhp (373 kW), 520 Newton-metres (383 lb-ft) maximum torque, and engine speed beyond the 8,000 rpm limit.

Together with the outstanding, uncompromising suspension designed and built exclusively for sporting performance, this supreme power unit gives the BMW M6 all the qualities of a thoroughbred supersports. But unlike its competitors usually offering only two seats, the BMW M6 comes with all the space and comfort of a typical 2+2-seater, plus the luxurious features of a typical luxury performance BMW.

The success principle: True power in a discreet package.
The BMW M6 shares its supreme power unit with the BMW M5. Ever since being introduced in the M5, this engine has been acknowledged as the absolute benchmark, just as the M5 is the very epitome of the Sports Saloon.

Now, introducing even more superior performance data, the BMW M6 sets a new standard in the segment of high-performance 2+2-seater luxury sports cars. Creating this unique model, the engineers at BMW M GmbH have focused not only on the sheer power of the engine, but also on the weight of the body and, as a result, the mass to be accelerated as quickly as possible on the road. Reducing weight to a sensible minimum, the M6 comes with all the driving dynamics required for the race track, while in terms of motoring comfort and equipment it is simply ideal for all roads the world over. Not least, the body design of the BMW M6 modified only discreetly versus the elegant look of the BMW Coupé comes with all the understatement so characteristic of all M Models as their elementary feature.

Interacting with the seven-speed SMG transmission, the magnificent chassis and suspension, the elegant body in innovative lightweight technology, as well as the wide range of luxury equipment, the ten-cylinder high-speed engine gives the customer a brand-new dimension in motoring performance. It is indeed difficult to find any genuine competitors to the M6, since all other more or less comparable cars are either all-out supersports or sports saloons far inferior in terms of agility. So given the car’s innovative drive concept, a power-to-weight ratio even better than on the M5, as well as unique handling – and all this with all the everyday driving qualities of a large coupé – the engineers at BMW M GmbH rightly claim that the new BMW M6 truly comes in a class of its own.

V10 power unit running at racing speeds.
Sharing BMW’s V10 power unit, the M5 and M6 come with one of the rare high-speed engines in regular saloon and coupé production. Within the entire BMW family, the V10 is indeed the most demanding engine in technical terms and, without doubt, the top performer in every respect.

Power and performance, however, are not everything. Rather, what really counts is a car’s acceleration and driving dynamics on the road. And this depends, first, on the weight of a car and, second, on the thrust and power which actually goes to the drive wheels – which, in turn, is a result of engine torque and the overall transmission ratio. BMW’s high-speed engine concept allows an optimum gearbox and final drive transmission ratio in all cases, thus guaranteeing impressive thrust and momentum on the road at all times.

The perfect choice: High-revving concept.
A compact, high-revving normal-aspiration engine is the best of all strategies in generating maximum engine output: Revving up to speed of 8,250 rpm, the V10 reaches a speed range reserved until recently to purebred racing cars alone. As a result, the engine easily outperforms the magical limit of 100 bhp per litre, again achieving specific output of a standard otherwise only found in motorsport.

The two five-cylinder banks in the V10 are arranged at an angle of 90° in order to optimise the standard of vibration control and motoring comfort offered by full mass compensation on the crankdrive. Taking the substantial forces of the combustion process, high engine speeds and vibrations into account, the crankcase comes in bedplate design. The extremely stiff crankshaft, in turn, runs in six bearings.

Variable dual-VANOS camshaft control ensures an optimum cylinder charge cycle in the interest of extremely fast valve timing. On the road this means even more performance, an improved torque curve, optimum responsiveness, lower fuel consumption, and emissions reduced to a minimum. Again reflecting the typical features of motorsport, each cylinder comes with its own throttle butterfly masterminded fully electronically for each row of cylinders.

Twin-chamber exhaust system made of stainless steel.
Made of stainless steel without any connecting seams, the exhaust system comes in twin-chamber configuration all the way to the silencers, before exhaust emissions leave the car through the four tailpipes so characteristic of every BMW M Car. It almost goes without saying that exhaust emissions meet the European EU4 and, respectively, the US LEV2 standards, the M6 standing out from the M5 also through its even more powerful and sporting sound.

This outstanding performance and emission management is ensured and masterminded by the central engine management unit featuring the most powerful processors currently to be found in any car anywhere, since the demands made of the management system are obviously particularly stringent due to the very high engine speed and the sum total of all control and management functions.

A particular highlight of the engine control unit is ionic current technology serving to detect any tendency of the engine to knock, misfire and suffer mis-combustion. This intelligent control unit is able to sense any tendency to knock via the spark plug in each cylinder, checking the correct ignition setting and recognising any tendency to misfire and thus allowing the engine to run as closely as possible to its theoretical limits, developing optimum power and performance in the process. The spark plug serves both as an actuator for the ignition and as a sensor observing the combustion process.

Seven-speed SMG transmission conveying M Power to the road.
To develop all its qualities and assets, a high-speed power unit must be combined with the right transmission. This is the only way, given the right transmission ratios, for the drivetrain to develop all the power and torque provided by the engine in giving the car optimum thrust and forward motion.

BMW’s seven-speed SMG transmission is precisely the right manual gearbox for conveying the power of the V10 via the drivetrain to the rear wheels. This gearbox from BMW M is indeed the world’s only sequential transmission with seven gears and Drivelogic. With qualities even greater than on a six-speed SMG gearbox, this transmission allows manual selection of gears with extremely short gearshift times as well as comfortable cruising qualities thanks to the automatic gear selection function. And at the same time the additional gear keeps the increments between engine speed and torque even smaller, ensuring an absolutely smooth process of one gear “flowing” into the other.

The driver shifts gears in the SMG transmission either from the selector lever or via paddles in the steering wheel. Compared with conventional SMG transmission, the new generation of SMG technology performs the entire gearshift process 20 per cent faster, gears merging directly into one another. As a result, any interruption of the flow of power inevitable when shifting gears now becomes hardly perceptible, the BMW M6 accelerating virtually without the slightest jolt or interruption from a standstill all the way to top speed.

Drivelogic: The driver determines how SMG shifts gears.
Featuring its special Drivelogic function, SMG on the BMW M6 offers the driver a total of 11 gearshift options allowing him to individually adjust the gearshift characteristics of the SMG transmission to his personal style of motoring.

Six of these driving programs come in the sequential manual function (S-mode), ranging from smooth but dynamic all the way to supersports. Driving in the S-mode, the driver shifts all gears manually. But thanks to the launch control function SMG Drivelogic shifts gears automatically shortly before the engine reaches its maximum speed, ensuring an optimum gearshift process with optimum spin control all the way to the top speed of the BMW M6.

In the automatic shift mode (Drive = D-mode), the transmission shifts the seven gears automatically as a function of the driving program currently in use, the driving situation, road speed, and the position of the gas pedal.

SMG for even greater safety and motoring comfort.
Seven-speed SMG supports the driver not only in achieving and enjoying the highest standard of performance comparable to genuine motorsport. Rather, it also comes with many safety features opening up the clutch within fractions of a second in a critical situation – for example when shifting down on a slippery surface – in order to keep the car stable and free of excessive engine forces acting on the drive wheels. A further special function is hill detection adjusting the gearshift points on uphill and downhill gradients. Driving uphill, this avoids the common phenomenon of the gears constantly shifting up and down (“pendulum gearshift”), driving downhill the hill detection mode holds lower gears in mesh longer than usual in order to capitalise on the engine’s braking effect.

Last but not least, SMG also enhances the particular sound effect of the V10 power unit: To quote a specialist commenting on this special sound, that “brief, roaring rumble” is simply fantastic when the electronic control unit responsible for the engine briefly gives intermediate gas in the process of shifting down.

Maximum driving pleasure.
Interaction of the V10 power unit and seven-speed SMG gives the driver of the BMW M6 Coupé driving pleasure of the highest calibre: Acceleration from 0–100 km/h comes in 4.6 seconds and the M6 reaches 200 km/h or 124 mph in just about 14 seconds. Then, at a speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph, the electronic speed governor ends the car’s irresistible surge of power, while the speedometer gives you an idea where the engine would take you without such electronic speed control: the speedometer goes all the way to 330 km/h or 205 mph.

Lapping the Northern Circuit of Nürburgring in 8 minutes.
The world-famous Nordschleife, the Northern Circuit of the legendary Nürburgring Race Track, is the perfect benchmark for measuring driving dynamics. For it is here, on the world’s most demanding race track, that the exceptional stand out from the mediocre in terms of supreme driving dynamics. Nowhere else is the interaction of all a car’s components as clear as here, when driving to the absolute limit. Lapping the Northern Circuit in around 8 minutes, the BMW M6 easily matches the most thoroughbred sports cars, clearly beating the competition.

M Suspension: The icing on the cake of the BMW 6 Series.
Lap times of this kind clearly bear testimony to the M6’ driving qualities. Which is actually no surprise, considering that the chassis and suspension already outstanding on the BMW 6 Series as such, as well as the modern assistance systems, have been specially adapted on the M6 for truly unparalleled M Performance. Compared with the M5, in turn, the wheelbase is shorter and the car comes with a lower centre of gravity for extra agility on the road. In terms of both chassis equipment and set-up, the M6 is therefore a unique car in every respect.

Variable M Differential Lock.
The variable, speed-sensing M Differential Lock gives the M6 superior driving stability and optimum traction particularly when accelerating out of a bend. Even in very demanding driving situations, the differential offers crucial advantages in terms of traction, for example with the drive wheels running on very different surfaces with a wide range of different frictional coefficients. A further advantage is the locking action immediately built up when necessary to compensate any difference in speed between the drive wheels, thus ensuring smooth and powerful drive forces at all times.

DSC with two dynamic driving programs available on demand.
The BMW M6 boasts a brand-new generation of DSC Dynamic Stability Control. With the first stage of DSC being conceived for maximum driving safety, the M Dynamic mode, as on the M5, is tailored to the sporting driver. And pressing a button on the selector lever cover, the driver is able to switch off DSC whenever he wishes.

EDC: From firm and taut all the way to comfortable and extra-smooth.
EDC Electronic Damper Control on the BMW M6 offers the driver the choice of three programs available on demand: Comfort, Normal, and Sports, with the car’s chassis and suspension ranging from sporting and firm all the way to – relatively – smooth and comfortable. The driver operates EDC via the MDrive button on the steering wheel or the push button next to the SMG selector lever.

Power button activating special engine characteristics on demand.
In many situations the driver does not need all the power and agility of the BMW M6 – for example in city traffic. So when the driver starts the engine, the BMW M6 automatically sets off in its comfort-oriented P400 performance program with 400 bhp engine output. But then all the driver has to do is press the power button on the selector lever cover in order to use all the muscle and dynamic performance of the supreme ten-cylinder. This also changes the response of the engine, making it even more direct and responsive, both the P400 program and the even more dynamic P500 sports program giving free rein to the driver’s wish for uncompromising motorsport performance.

High-performance brakes like in motorsport.
Reflecting its truly outstanding power and performance, the BMW M6 naturally features extra-large high-performance brakes complete with cross-drilled extra-low-weight compound brake discs. The double-piston swing callipers made of aluminium, in turn, optimised for both weight and stiffness, ensure stopping distances shorter than ever before: Applying the brakes from a speed of 100 km/h, the driver of the BMW M6 comes to a standstill after just 36 metres and takes less than 140 metres to reach a stop from a speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).

High-performance athlete in a beautiful body.
With the BMW 6 Series already acknowledged as a strikingly beautiful car, the M6 enhances this impression to an even higher standard, special design features making this unique Coupé look even more powerful and dynamic, while remaining discreet and unpretentious all the same.

The most eye-catching feature is the truly impressive front air dam. And like all design features on a BMW M Car, this particular element focuses once again primarily on its specific function: The V10 power unit requires roughly twice as much cooling air as the V8 in the BMW 645Ci. Large secondary intake openings to the left and right of the front air dam thus give the engine of the M6 even more air to breathe and cool the brakes at the same time. Through their design alone, finally, these air openings accentuate the sporting character of the car.

Lightweight engineering and beautiful design in perfect harmony.
Beneath the doors the side-sills powerfully contoured for aerodynamic reasons again emphasise the dynamic impression of this sports coupé. At the same time the side-sills stretch the car for an even sleeker look, making the BMW M6 even lower and more dynamic in its appearance. The 19-inch forged aluminium wheels developed especially for the M6, together with their five filigree double spokes, are extremely light and provide a very good view of the large brake discs. Compared with comparable wheels, the weight saving is 1.8 kilos per wheel.

The M model logo in the ornamental slats at the side tells the connoisseur right away that this car is one of the outstanding athletes within the BMW M Family. And like on all M Models, the exterior mirrors come in their very own, sporting look.

The rear air dam with its characteristic diffuser opening again serves first and foremost to provide an aerodynamic function. But at the same time it adds an even more sporting look to the car, the particular design of the diffuser improving the flow of air along the underfloor and reducing lift forces. The four tailpipes on the twin-chamber exhaust system bordering the diffuser opening in pairs on either side are one of the signs of distinction so typical of a BMW M Car.

First-ever carbon roof in series production.
The first car to feature a roof made of carbon was the BMW M3 CSL. Now, following that special model built in small, strictly limited series, BMW M GmbH is introducing a carbon roof on the M6 Coupé, thus raising this concept of intelligent lightweight technology to a new dimension in series production.

Offering the same stability and crash safety as a steel roof, this carbon- fibre material derived from motorsport is significantly lighter than aluminium, let alone steel. The result is a significant reduction in weight and mass lowering the car’s centre of gravity and requiring less forces for acceleration or coming to a stop.

Inside, the M6 stands out from the “basic” model also through its even more sophisticated Merino leather upholstery with a choice of three different colours or – at extra cost – with full leather upholstery leaving absolutely nothing to be desired.

A sports car for everyday motoring.
Despite its simply shuttering performance, the BMW M6 does not make any compromises in terms of adequate roominess as well as active and passive safety of the highest standard. Even the level of motoring comfort is virtually the same as in the “regular” model. And when it comes to both fuel economy and environmental compatibility, the M6 again lives up the exemplary standard of all.