BMW M6: New V10 Super Coupé

BMW's high performance M3 and M5 cars are set to be joined by the M6, a sporting rendition of the two-door luxury 6 Series Coupé. Powered by the same 500 horsepower Formula 1-inspired V10 motor and seven-speed sequential manual transmission fitted to the M5, the thoroughbred M6 will be available in very limited numbers towards the end of 2005.

While enthusiasts will no doubt be lusting after the high performance version of the beautiful two-door six series, there has been a lot more work done than simply dropping the 507 bhp (that's 373 kW with a brutal 520 Nm of torque) high-revving V10 light alloy engine into the 2+2 shape.

To obtain the greatest performance from the V10 engined car, M GmbH engineers focused their efforts on paring weight from the 645Ci to offer racetrack dynamics without compromising real-world on-road comfort. In this regard one of the M6's principal design features was borrowed from the M3 CSL - the carbon-fibre roof. The first car to feature a roof made of carbon was the limited edition BMW M3 CSL and now the M6 will use the same intelligent lightweight technology in series production.

This carbon-fibre material derived from motorsport is significantly lighter than aluminium, (which in turn is much lighter than the steel used in most cars) and helps reduce both overall weight and mass and lowers the car's centre of gravity, optimising handling, acceleration and braking.

Discrete, typically understated M body modifications distinguish the M6 from its 645Ci brethren. Transmitting the V10's power to the road is achieved via the same seven-speed SMG transmission installed in the M5 sedan, while the Variable M Differential Lock ensures the 19-inch rear wheels keep a firm grip on the road even under full-bore driving conditions.

Revving to 8,250 rpm, the V10 engine in the BMW M6 reaches a speed range previously the preserve of purebred racing cars alone. The engine easily outperforms the traditional racing benchmark of 100 bhp per litre. The two five-cylinder banks in the V10 are arranged at an angle of 90° to calm vibration and provide motoring comfort. A high-tech alloy composite together with race-derived bedplate design quells engine NVH. An extremely stiff crankshaft runs in six bearings.

Variable dual-VANOS camshaft control provides hearty on-road performance, an improved torque curve, optimum responsiveness, lower fuel consumption, and reduced emissions and BMW claims the main engine computer is the most powerful on any series production car.

Dual stainless steel exhaust pipes run to the rear silencer box with gases exiting from the now trademark quad M pipes.

The V10 is tuned to comply with stringent European EU4 and US LEV2 emission standards, while the exhaust note is tuned for its own distinctive raucous bark, different to that of the M5 sedan. BMW's seven-speed SMG manual gearbox can be shifted from the selector lever or via paddles in the steering wheel.

...continued