2012 BMW M6: What's New

Vehicle Overview

The M6 is BMW’s high-performance version of its 6 Series sports car. It has more aggressive, M-specific styling cues and is powered by a turbocharged V-8 engine that’s rated at 560 horsepower. The M6 convertible arrives in June 2012 as a 2012 model while the M6 coupe comes in late summer as a 2013 model. Competitors include the Porsche 911, Audi R8 and Jaguar XKR.

Exterior
The M6’s starting point was the recently redesigned 6 Series, which saw the return of some classic BMW styling themes to the car. The transformation to the M6 includes a number of changes to the body, including a different treatment for BMW’s signature twin-kidney grille, an aggressive lower front bumper with gaping intakes and revised rear bumper styling with quad exhaust tips. The convertible features a soft-top, and when raised the top keeps the graceful roofline of the coupe. Exterior features include:

• 19-inch light-alloy wheels; 20-inch light-alloy wheels available
• Lightweight carbon fiber roof lowers coupe’s center of gravity
• Twin-kidney grille has black slats
• M-style appliques in the front fenders
• Adaptive xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights with LED accents
• Available adaptive LED headlights
• Convertible top takes 19 seconds to open, 24 seconds to close, according to BMW
• Soft-top can be operated at speeds up to 25 mph

Interior
The cabin retains BMW’s familiar driver-centric dashboard design, which features at its center a 10.2-inch screen that serves as the display for the standard iDrive system. The M6 can seat up to four people, and the front bucket seats have an M-specific design and aggressive side bolstering, integrated active head restraints and an embossed M logo. Interior features include:

• Extended leather upholstery
• Carbon fiber trim
• M6 lettering on the doorsills
• Two customizable M Drive buttons on the steering wheel
• M Drive can alter the characteristics of the engine, steering, transmission shift program and stability system, among others
• Available head-up display

Under the Hood
The previous-generation M6 featured V-10 power, but the new version gets a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine that makes more power but is also more fuel efficient. It generates 560 hp at 5,750 rpm and 500 pounds-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. Engine speed is limited to 7,200 rpm. Mechanical features include:

• Seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with steering-wheel shift paddles and launch-control function
• Maximum turbo boost pressure is 21.7 psi
• Fuel-saving stop/start engine technology
• Electronically controlled limited-slip Active M Differential
• Adaptive dampers and adjustable power-steering assistance
• Available carbon ceramic brakes with 16.1-inch front rotors and 15.6-inch rear rotors
• Acceleration from zero to 62 mph in 4.2 (coupe) or 4.3 (convertible) seconds, according to BMW
• Top speed electronically limited to 155 mph

Safety
Standard safety features include:

• Antilock brakes
• Electronic stability system with deactivation setting
• Side-impact airbags
• Side curtain airbags (coupe)
• Pop-up aluminum roll bars behind rear head restraints (convertible)