BMW M6

The BMW M6 is a high-performance version of the 6 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand from 1983–2018 (with a break from 1990–2004).

BMW M6
Overview
ManufacturerBMW M
Production
  • 1983–1989,
  • 2005–2018
AssemblyGermany: Dingolfing
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer (S)
LayoutRear-wheel drive
Related
Chronology
SuccessorBMW M8 (F91/F92/F93)

Introduced in the coupe body style, the M6 was also built in convertible and fastback sedan ('Gran Coupe') body styles for later generations. An M6 model was built for each of the first three generations of the 6 Series.[1] Production of the M6 ended in 2018 and it was replaced by the BMW M8 (F91/F92/F93) in 2019.[2]

E24 M635CSi/M6 (1983–1989)
BMW M635CSi / M6 (E24)
Overview
Production1983–1989
Body and chassis
Body style2-door coupé
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,620 mm (103 in)
Length4,755 mm (187.2 in)[lower-alpha 1]
Width1,725 mm (67.9 in)
Height1,354 mm (53.3 in)

The M6 lineage began in 1983 with the M635CSi model of the E24 6 Series range, which was powered by the M88/3 DOHC straight-six engine (which was a modified version of the engine used in the BMW M1 supercar). In most countries, the model was badged the M635CSi, however the equivalent model in North America and Japan was simply badged in "M6".[3]

Rear view

The European-specification M635CSi used the M88/3 engine (without a catalytic converter), which generated 210 kW (286 PS; 282 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 340 N⋅m (251 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm.[4] The M6 version, sold in North America and Japan, used the S38B35 engine (with catalytic converter), which generated 256 hp (191 kW; 260 PS) and 330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft) at the same engine speeds.[5] The catalyzed engine was also used in European and other market cars beginning in the summer of 1987, with identical specifications to the federalized engine.[6] The sole transmission for all models was a 5-speed Getrag 280 manual transmission.[7][8]

Other changes included BBS RS wheels, a rear lip spoiler, a larger front air dam, larger front brakes and revised suspension with a 10 mm (0.4 in) lower ride height.[9]

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. Production of the E24 M635CSi/M6 ended in 1989.

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. The kerb weights of the 1987 models are 1,515 kg (3,340 lb) for the M635 CSi and 1,619 kg (3,569 lb) for the M6.[10][11] A top speed of 255 km/h (158 mph)[12] made the European M635CSi the second fastest BMW automobile ever built next to the M1. The quarter mile time for the M635 CSi has been recorded at 14.5 seconds while 161 km/h (100 mph) is achieved in 15 seconds.

A total of 5,855 cars were produced.[13] Of these, 1,677 cars were imported to North America.[14] Due to the elongated front and rear bumpers, the length of the U.S. models is 4,923 mm (193.8 in).

E63/64 M6 (2005–2010)
BMW M6 (E63/E64)
Overview
Production2005–2010
Body and chassis
Body style
  • 2-door convertible
  • 2-door coupé
Powertrain
Engine5.0 L S85 petrol V10
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,781 mm (109.5 in)
Length4,872 mm (191.8 in)
Width1,854 mm (73.0 in)
Height1,377 mm (54.2 in)
Coupe
Convertible

Following a hiatus in M6 production for 16 years, the M6 version of the E63/E64 6 Series was introduced in 2005. The M6 uses the same BMW S85 V10 engine and SMG III gearbox as the E60 M5.[15]

The M6 was produced as both a coupé (E63 model code) and a convertible (E64 model code). The exterior styling was overseen by Karl Elmitt.[16]

The M6 had two modes for engine power: a "P400" mode in which the engine has a rated power output of 294 kW (394 hp) and a "P500" mode in which the engine has a rated power output of 373 kW (500 hp).[17] Manufacturer claimed performance included a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration time of 4.6 seconds.[15] The top speed was electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph) or 305 km/h (190 mph) if the optional M-driver's package is fitted.[18][19]

The coupe version weighs 1,710 kg (3,770 lb) and the convertible version weighs 2,005 kg (4,420 lb). Weight reduction measures include a carbon fibre roof (for the coupe only), thermoplastic quarter panels, aluminium doors, aluminium bonnet (hood) and a carbon-fibre boot (trunk) lid.[20]

From 2007 a 6-speed manual gearbox was offered in North America, only 701 examples were produced with a manual gearbox (323 Coupes and 378 Convertibles).[21]

Production of the M6 ended in mid-2010, with sales over the five-year run totalling 9,087 for the coupe and 5,065 for the convertible.[22]

F06/F12/F13 M6 (2012–2018)
BMW M6 (F06/F12/F13)
Overview
Production2012–2018
Body and chassis
Body style
  • 2-door convertible (F12)
  • 2-door coupé (F13)
  • 4-door sedan (F06)
Powertrain
Engine4.4 L S63 twin-turbo petrol V8
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,850 mm (112.2 in)
Length4,897 mm (192.8 in)
Width1,919 mm (75.56 in)
Height1,369 mm (53.9 in)
F12 Convertible
F13 Coupé
F06 Gran Coupé

The new model is based on the F12/F13/F06 6 Series, and shares its 7-speed dual clutch ("M-DCT") transmission and BMW S63 twin-turbo V8 engine with the BMW F10 M5.

The official performance figures state the acceleration time from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 4.2 seconds for the coupe and Grand Coupe, and 4.3 seconds for the convertible.[23][24] The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), or 305 km/h (190 mph) with the optional M-driver's package. The differential is an electronically-actuated ("Active M") limited slip differential.[25] The kerb weight for the coupe is 1,925 kg (4,244 lb), the kerb weight of the convertible is 2,055 kg (4,531 lb) and the kerb weight of the Gran Coupé is 1,950 kg (4,299 lb).

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.[26] The lead exterior designer of the F12/F13/F06 6 Series was Nader Faghihzadeh.[27][28]

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 is rated at 423 kW (567 hp) and 680 N⋅m (502 lb⋅ft) of torque. This results in a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of 3.9 seconds for the coupe and Gran Coupe versions.[29]

In 2016, the Competition Pack engine was upgraded to 441 kW (591 hp) and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft) of torque, resulting in a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of 3.8 seconds for the coupe and Gran Coupe versions.[30]

Motorsport

M6 GT3

2017 BMW 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.

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.

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See also

References
  1. "The new BMW M6. Coupe and Convertible". Press.bmwgroup.com. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  2. "WORLD PREMIERE: The First Ever BMW M8 Coupe". www.bmwblog.com. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  3. "1985 BMW M635CSi". www.bringatrailer.com. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  4. "BMW E24 M6". Archived from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  5. Ceppos, Rich (1987-07-01). "1987 BMW M6: Mmmm, good". Car and Driver. Hearst Magazines. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15.
  6. Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (3 March 1988), Automobil Revue 1988 (in German and French), 83, Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG, p. 189, ISBN 3-444-00469-9
  7. "6' E24 M635CSi Manual Transmission". www.realoem.com. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  8. "BMW M635CSi - still a lengend". www.bmw-m.com. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  9. "1985 BMW M635 CSi E24 - road test". www.drive-my.com. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  10. "Detailed specs review of 1987 BMW M 635 CSi catalyst offered since mid-year 1987 for Europe". www.automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  11. "Detailed specs review of 1987 BMW M6 offered since mid-year 1986 for North America U.S." www.automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  12. Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (5 March 1987). Automobil Revue 1987 (in German and French). 82. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. p. 195. ISBN 3-444-00458-3.
  13. "BMW M635CSi - still a lengend". www.bmw-m.com. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  14. "BMW M Registry - FAQ E24 M635CSi + M6". bmwmregistry.com.
  15. "BMW M6 Coupé BMW M6 Cabrio". bmw-grouparchiv.de. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  16. "Karl Elmitt, BMW". Automotive News Europe. 29 May 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  17. Horn, Jan (2005-06-16). "BMW M6 fordert Ferrari 575M F1: Hirn oder Herz" [BMW M6 challenges Ferrari 575M F1: Brain or heart]. Auto Bild (in German). Axel Springer Auto Verlag GmbH. Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2013-01-15.
  18. Grünweg, Tom (29 September 2006). "BMW M6 Cabrio: Ran ans Guthaben". Spiegel Online. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  19. "250 reicht vielen nicht". sueddeutsche.de (in German). 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  20. "Looking For Plastic Body Panels". adandp.media. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  21. "BMW M Registry - FAQ E63 + E64 M6". bmwmregistry.com. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  22. "Current generation BMW M6 coupe and convertible production ends". Archived from the original on 2010-09-10.
  23. "Introducing The All-New 3rd Generation BMW M6 Coupe and Convertible". www.press.bmwgroup.com. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  24. "Introducing the All-New BMW M6 Gran Coupe". www.press.bmwgroup.com. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  25. "BMW M6 Coupe : Active M Differential". www.bmw.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2014.
  26. "M badge on kidney grille". Bmwblog.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  27. "Exclusive: Interview with Nader Faghihzadeh - BMW 6 Series Coupe Exterior Designer". www.bmwblog.com. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  28. "Designer of Gran Coupe Brings Flow to BMW 6 Series". www.nytimes.com. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  29. "Leading the field: The Competition Package for the BMW M5, BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe". www.press.bmwgroup.com. Retrieved 2018-09-04.
  30. "More potent Competition Package for BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Gran Coupe and BMW M6 Convertible". www.press.bmwgroup.com. Retrieved 2018-09-04.

Footnotes
  1. 4,923 mm (193.8 in) for U.S. models
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