The M6 is normally considered BMW’s silly card in the deck, because what the car ends up being really depends on the mood of the project manager.
The previous version ended up with the same, naturally aspirated V10 as the then current BMW M5, and the result was certainly rapid, but hardly involving. But perhaps the project leader of the next-generation M6 was been cut off by an Audi R8 on the way to the conceptual meeting, because the upcoming model means business.
Instead of messing around with a simple transplant from the F10-generation M5, BMW has decided to crank up the go-faster settings of the twin-turbo V8 to stratospheric levels, squeezing 400 kW and 680 Nm of torque from the 4,4-litre mill.
This makes this M6 the most powerful BMW that you can drive off a showroom floor – and it still includes a five-year maintenance plan.
But it doesn’t end there. The project boss must have really taken that traffic altercation to heart, because the M-Division has also raided the group racing bin and conjured up some embellishments to the 6-Series body, including a roof and assorted panels made of carbon fibre, carbon-ceramic brake discs, and lightweight alloy wheels, all aimed at boosting both the power-to-weight ratio and braking potential.
Although the M6 will be BMW’s weapon of choice when it comes to sports car comparisons, it is also adamant that the M6 will offer both true driver appeal and grand touring capability. In other words, this won’t be a track day scud missile.
But if the M-Division has its way this could also change, as it is seeking permission from BMW to develop a new, ground-up car of its own.
The idea is similar to that of the Mercedes-Benz SLS, which was developed by in-house noise-and-muscle practitioners, AMG. The M-Division is hoping for a similar opportunity in the not too distant future.
Until then though, the M6 will be as fast as you can go in a production BMW while still listening to the soothing strains of a Bach sonata through 73 Harman Kardon speakers and not wondering if the suspension is made of granite.
