2006 BMW M6

The 2006 BMW 6 Series 2 door coupe , launched at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show and designed around the 5 Series only on a shortened platform, is a typical example of BMW’s emphasis on power and an speed and a lot less on aerodynamic design. The car is well designed and solidly built and has made many concessions to technology. Its lines are sleek but Spartan and the M6 gives of an impression of aloofness and subtlety that is typical of the BMW design philosophy.

Available in coupe or convertible form, the M6 is much lighter in weight than the M5 with its carbon fiber roof and aluminum wheels both playing their part in reducing the weight burden. Differentiating from the other 6 series coupes in BMW’S range is the front valance with its deeper thermoplastic-formed flared side sills and a new rear valance. These changes send out a hinted message to the looker on that there is something very powerful under this car’s bonnet. Adding to that atmosphere are the additional air intakes around the front valance. Custom designed leather seats, a sports steering wheel are the only concessions made to the fact this is meant to be a luxury car as well as a performance car.
Lightweight forged 19-inch double-spoke alloy wheel do help to provide the M6 with something of a sporty look.

IDrive is standard on the 2006 BMW M6 series, which controls most of the car’s systems including navigation, sound and entertainment systems. These functions, varying in degrees of importance to the driver, are display on a central LCD screen. Another handy piece of equipment, standard on the M6, is the “head–up” display function which keeps the driver up to date with engine and road speed, gear selected, navigational information among others.

All this understatement was possibly meant to disguise a very important fact. That the 2006 BMW M6 is a very powerful car. Lighter than the M5 saloon, the M6 coupe has the benefit of a 507-horsepower 5.0-liter V10 engine with 384 lb-ft of torque to pull it along. And that she certainly does with up to 8,250 revolutions per minute. This means 0-60miles per hour in 4.6 seconds and a top speed capability of 205 miles per hour (340 k/ph)
Not only can the M6 travel very fast, her powerful cross drilled braking system will allow the car to stop dead from sixty miles an hour within a distance of 40yards.

The considerable power that the M6’s engine produces is directed through a manual seven speed gearbox, which can either be controlled by a speed shifter, or through paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Taken from the M5, there eleven pre-selected gear change programs, dependant on a variety of weather or road conditions that can be chosen.

The multi link and strut suspension that was developed for the 645 Ci series was also standard in the 2006 BMW M6, which is much more effective being that the M6 is a considerably lighter car. Steering is through a M-Tuned version of ZF's Servotronic steering rack, helping steering to be both neutral and balanced. This new system provides the driver with the opportunity to oversteer now and again, the car, granting enthusiasts the freedom to let their hair down on occasion driving racetrack style.







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March 13, 2008, 8:35 am