The BMW M6 is a high-performance version of the 6 Series coupé/convertible, designed and developed by the motorsport division of BMW. The BMW M6 was based on the subsequent generations of the 6 series.^[1]

E24 M635CSi/M6 (1983–1989)

In 1983, BMW took the M88/3 Straight-six engine, a modified version of the M88/1 from the BMW M1 and put it in the E24 chassis of the 6 Series, thus creating the M635CSi (dubbed simply "M6" in North America and Japan).

The first generation of the M6 was critically acclaimed throughout its lifespan for its elegant, aggressive "shark-nose" styling, its luxury equipment and its performance. A top speed of 254 km/h (158 mph)^[3] made the European M635CSi the second fastest BMW automobile ever built next to the M1. However, Rug Cunningham, of Cunningham BMW, ran a bone stock 1987 U.S. M6 in the La Carrera Classic Race in Mexico in 1989 and recorded an indicated top speed of 283 km/h (176 mph).

The vehicle can be distinguished from other E24 models by "///M" badges on the front grille and rear decklid ("///M6" on the North American version), body color side-view mirrors, BBS RS wheels, a rear lip spoiler, a larger front air dam, larger front brakes and a 10 mm lowered ride height.

The North American and Japanese M6 was fitted with the catalyzed S38B35 engine, generating a power output of 256 hp (191 kW; 260 PS) and 243 lb⋅ft (329 N⋅m) of torque, whereas the European M635CSi received the non-catalyzed M88/3 engine, generating a power output of 286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 340 N⋅m (251 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,500 rpm. A total of 538 catalyzed M635CSi models were sold in Europe between 1988 and 1989.

The E24 series became a "world car" for the 1988 and 1989 model years, sporting the same bumpers and aerodynamic treatments as its high-performance counterparts across all markets.

According to BMW, the car can accelerate from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 5.8 and 6.8 seconds for the European and North American versions respectively. However, Car and Driver tested a North American U.S. M6 in July 1987 and achieved a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) acceleration time of 6.1 seconds.^[4] Also in 1987, Road and Track touted the U.S. M6 as being one of the 10 fastest cars in America.^[5]

The quarter mile time for the M635CSi has been recorded at 14.5 seconds while 161 km/h (100 mph) is achieved in 15 seconds. Production of the E24 M635CSi/M6 ended in 1989.

1,677 cars imported to North America,^[6] with the last two 1,676 and 1,677 cars being 1989 Canadian models.

E63/64 M6 (2005–2010)

The BMW M6 concept made its debut at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It was based on the BMW E63/E64 6 Series, introduced in 2004. The M6 shared the same uneven firing 5.0 L V10 S85 engine and SMG III gearbox with the E60 M5 that produces 373 kW (507 PS; 500 bhp) at 7,750 rpm and 520 N⋅m (384 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,100 rpm.

Manufacturer claimed performance included a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration time of 4.4 seconds. Road & Track (Feb 2006) measured the 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time at 4.1 seconds. The top speed was limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). De limited top speed amounted to 205 mph (330 km/h) with the optional M-driver's package.^[7]

The M6 has the same 'power button' as the M5 which toggles the choice of "P400"or "P500" engine power modes. From ignition, the car delivers 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp), but engaging the Steering wheel's M button allows the full 373 kW (507 PS; 500 bhp) (P500) to be engaged if it is configured so via the iDrive settings.^[7] The M6 weighs 1,710 kg (3,770 lb) courtesy of a carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof panel as well as thermoplastic front wings, aluminium doors and bonnet and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (sheet moulding compound) boot lid.^[8]

The carbon fibre and other light materials are used in places like the bumpers and roof that are far from the centre of gravity and/or high up, so that they not only reduce the overall weight but improve the handling by reducing the moment of inertia and lowering the centre of mass height.

The M6 was offered as both a coupé and a cabriolet. Both the coupé and convertible could be visually distinguished from the 630i, 645Ci and 650i by their deeper front valance with air intakes, more contoured side sills, aerodynamic side view mirrors, an additional rear valance with diffuser and the absence of front fog lights. Only 701 examples were produced with a manual gearbox (323 Coupes + 378 Convertibles).

In the 2010 model year, the M6 was the second-most expensive BMW sold in the U.S. after the US$137,000 760Li, with an MSRP of US$108,150 for the convertible and US$102,350 for the coupe.

Production of the M6 ended in mid-2010, with sales over the five-year run totalling 9,087 for the coupe and 5,056 for the convertible.^[9]

F06/F12/F13 M6 (2012–present)

Details for the new generation of the M6 were announced in February 2012, with the official reveal taking place at the Geneva Motor Show the following month.

The new model is based on the BMW F12/F13 and shares its 7-speed M-DCT gearbox, BMW S63 V8 engine and other technology with the BMW M5 (F10). The M6 coupé has a carbon-fibre roof and other weight saving measures, making it 20 kg (44 lb) lighter than the M5, however it is 140 kg (309 lb) heavier than its predecessor. The M6 Convertible is 50 kg (110 lb) heavier than the previous M6 Convertible.

The official claimed performance figures state the acceleration from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 4.2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) with the de-limited top speed being 305 km/h (190 mph) with the optional M-driver's package. The design language of the M6 was similar to the then M series cars. 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.^[10]

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, steering is more direct than the base M6, the twin-turbocharged V8 engine utilised in the M6 is updated and produces 575 PS (423 kW; 567 hp) and 680 N⋅m (502 lb⋅ft) of torque along with a 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) acceleration time of in 3.9 seconds (4.0 seconds for the Convertible).

Performance

Motorsport

M6 GTLM

The BMW M6 GTLM is the racing version of the M6 created to participate in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and intended to replace the BMW Z4 GTE. The cars are entered by BMW Team RLL, debuting in 2016, with no wins in its debut season. The car would earn four class wins during the 2017 season before being replaced by the BMW M8 GTE for 2018.

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 specifications. Emphasis was placed on safety with BMW Motorsport producing an "FIA-approved safety cell in accordance with the very latest safety standards". Unlike the Z4 GT3, which used an engine derived from the BMW M3, the engine of the M6 GT3 was virtually unchanged from that of the production model of the M6 (and the BMW M5). The engine only faced some modifications for use in motorsport. In May 2015, at Dingolfing, BMW works driver Jörg Müller drove the M6 GT3 on its first roll-out to contribute a milestone to its development, and later the M6 GT3 was revealed near the end of the year.

The M6 GT3 showed its success on its debut year in 2016 when Rowe Racing clinched overall victory at the 2016 Spa 24 Hours with BMW works drivers Philipp Eng, Maxime Martin, and Alexander Sims at the wheel. The car also saw success in championships around the world, with wins in the VLN, Italian GT Championship, and Super GT Championship.

Notes

http://www.bmw.co.za/en/index.html

Bibliography

• BMW M6 Corporate website