14 February 2012

The ultimate BMW 6 Series - M6 Coupe & Cabrio

BMW has unveiled the performance model of  the 6 Series range, the M6. Comes in both Coupe and Cabriolet form, the ultimate 6 Series is powered by the same S53Tu  4.4L V8 twin-turbocharged engine as per the M5. Contrary to the rest of BMW TwinPower engine, the   S53Tu does comes with the real deal twin turbo unit, each one being a twin scroll item. 

The 4,395cc engine kicks out 560bhp@6000-7000rpm of power and the torque is earth-pulling 680Nm produced at a plateau of between 1500 to  5750rpm. Drive is channelled to the rear wheel via the dual clutch transmission M-DCT with 7 speed. Active M Differential system then proportionate the torque sent to each of the rear wheel to optimize the available grip.

For the performance, the M6 Coupe reached 100km/h in 4.2 seconds while the Cabrio is smidgen slower at 4.3 seconds. Top speed for both cars are electronically limited to 250 km/h, with the M Driver Package liberates the limiter to reach a higher top speed of 305 km/h.

The exterior mod for the M6 is rather subtle as the standard 6 Series is rather imposing already with svelte uninterrupted flowing lines. Some aggression has been added via sportier bumper design that sports larger air intake at the front. The wheel arch has been flared out to accommodate the 30mm increased in wheel track. At the back, the diffuser-type lower valence housed the quad tail pipes, long customary of contemporary M cars.

For the chassis, BMW M Division has uprated the suspension with M Spesific servotronic speed sensitive power steering.  All the power is harnessed by the 400mm diameter front disc clamped by 6 pistons and 396mm rear disc with 4 rotors. For the first time, carbon ceramic disc brake is available as an option with 20" wheel.

The standard tyre and wheel combo is 265/40 R19 up front and 295/35 R19 at the back. As mentioned earlier, the larger 20" wheel is an option.

The interior has been trimmed up with M Sport seats, steering wheel, gauge and the aluminium trim.

To increase the power density driven by the new powertrain, BMW engineers has gone extra miles in the weight saving initiatives by incorporating CFRP roof for the Coupe, aluminium door and hood, thermoplastic fender and glass fibre composites material for the trunk lid and roof cover for the Cabrio. All in all, the new M6 still rather hefty 1,850kg for the Coupe and 1,980kg for the open top version.

Both M6 Coupe and Cabrio will make their official debut in Geneva Motorshow in March. The car will be on sale from June onwards for the Cabrio, followed some months later by the Coupe.

Small gallery of both BMW M6 Coupe and Cabrio can be found after the jump.




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