BMW M6 — BrandWiki

BMW M6

Overview

BMW M6 (F06/F12/F13)

production	2012–2019
body style	2-door convertible (F12) 2-door coupé (F13) 4-door sedan (F06 "Gran Coupe")
wheelbase	112.2 in
length	192.8 in
width	75.56 in
height	53.9 in
engine	4.4 L S63 twin-turbo petrol V8
transmission	7-speed dual-clutch 6-speed manual
model years	2013–2019
layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
designer	Nader Faghihzadeh

The BMW M6 is a high-performance version of the 6 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand from 1983 to 2019 (with a hiatus from 1990 to 2004).

Introduced in the coupe body style, the M6 was also built in convertible and fastback sedan ('Gran Coupe') body styles for later generations. An M6 model was built for each of the first three generations of the 6 Series.[1] Production of the M6 ended in 2019 and it was replaced by the BMW M8 in 2019.[2]

E24 M635CSi/M6 (1983–1989)

The M6 lineage began in 1983 with the M635CSi model of the E24 6 Series range, which was powered by the M88/3 DOHC straight-six engine (which was a modified version of the engine used in the BMW M1). In most countries, the model was badged the M635CSi, however the equivalent model in North America and Japan was simply badged as "M6".[3]

E63/64 M6 (2005–2011)

Following a hiatus in M6 production for 16 years, the M6 version of the E63/E64 6 Series was introduced in 2005. The M6 uses the same BMW S85 V10 engine and SMG-III automated manual gearbox as the E60 M5.

The M6 was produced as both a coupé (E63 model code) and a convertible (E64 model code). The exterior styling was overseen by Karl Elmitt.[15]

The M6 had two modes for engine power: a "P400" mode in which the engine has a rated power output of 294 kW and a "P500" mode in which the engine has a rated power output of 373 kW.[16] Manufacturer claimed performance included a 0–100 kph acceleration time of 4.6 seconds.[17] The top speed was electronically limited to 250 km/h or 305 kph if the optional M-driver's package is fitted.[18][19]

The coupe version weighs 3935 lb,[20] and the convertible version weighs 4420 lb.[21] Weight reduction measures include a (coupe-only) carbon fibre roof (a first for a regular BMW production model, last used on the E46 M3 CSL),[22] thermoplastic quarter panels, aluminium doors, aluminium bonnet and a thermo-fibre plastic boot lid.[23]

From 2007 a 6-speed manual gearbox was offered in North America, only 701 examples were produced with a manual gearbox (323 Coupes and 378 Convertibles).[24]

In September 2010, BMW announced they had ended production of the M6, with sales over the five-year run totalling 9,087 for the coupe and 5,065 for the convertible.[25]

Competition Package

From 2009 a Competition Package was offered which included front and rear suspension lowered by 12mm and 10mm respectively, wider wheels with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, and optimised ABS, stability control and M Differential settings to improve cornering. On the exterior, the Competition Package features a new bonnet with ‘precision lines’ as well as redesigned wheels.[26]

Competition Special Edition

In 2009, simultaneously presented with the Competition Package, a special edition of only 100 units was announced. All of the 100 units received the name BMW M6 Competition and include the Competition Package, plus a special matte paint color for the exterior named 'Frozen Gray Metallic'. The interior uses a special trim of Merino leather in either light gray two-tone finish with contrasting stitching or black. All cars included custom floor mats with ‘M6 Competition’ labelling.[27]

F06/F12/F13 M6 (2012–2019)

The new model is based on the F12/F13/F06 6 Series, and shares its 7-speed dual clutch ("M-DCT") transmission and BMW S63 twin-turbo V8 engine with the F10 M5.

The official performance figures state the acceleration time from 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds for the coupe and Gran Coupé, and 4.3 seconds for the convertible.[28][29] The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, or 305 kph with the optional M-driver's package. The differential is an electronically actuated ("Active M") limited slip differential.[30] The curb weight for the coupe is 4070 lb.[31] The curb weight of the convertible is 4531 lb,[32] and the curb weight of the Gran Coupé is 4299 lb.[33]

The front of the car has a newly designed M kidney grille with an “M6” badge – a homage to the first generation of the M6.[34] The lead exterior designer of the F12/F13/F06 6 Series was Nader Faghihzadeh.[35][36]

M Performance Parts can be fitted to all M6 models. These include black kidney grilles, a sport exhaust system that reduces weight, a carbon fibre diffuser, a carbon fibre spoiler, a carbon fibre sport steering wheel and a carbon fibre gear selector.

Competition Package

With the 2014 Competition Package, the M6 comes with a sportier exhaust system with black tips; stiffer springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars; more direct steering than the base M6; and an updated version of the M6’s twin-turbocharged V8 engine, now rated at 423 kW and 680 Nm of torque. This results in a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 3.9 seconds for the coupe and Gran Coupe versions.[37]

In 2016, the Competition Pack engine was upgraded to 441 kW and 700 Nm of torque, resulting in a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 3.8 seconds for the coupe and Gran Coupe versions.[38]

Motorsport

M6 GT3

Around the start of 2015, BMW Motorsport began developing a replacement for the successful BMW Z4 GT3 which already had been in action since 2010, where they selected the M6 as the base model. Throughout the year, the factory engineered the M6 to match FIA GT3

BMW M6

E24 M635CSi/M6 (1983–1989)

E63/64 M6 (2005–2011)

Competition Package

Competition Special Edition

F06/F12/F13 M6 (2012–2019)

Competition Package

Motorsport

M6 GT3

See also

References

M6 GTLM

M6 GT3

M6 GTLM