(continued from the previous page)
M-Specific Interior
The interior of the new BMW M6 brings together the incomparable combination of a
driver-oriented cockpit design of a sports car, the spaciousness and luxurious
feel of a premium automobile. Newly developed M sports seats, Merino extended
leather upholstery, door sills with "M6" lettering, an M driver's footrest,
exclusive carbon fiber interior trim and the BMW Individual roof liner in
Anthracite are all standard equipment, as is the iDrive control system with a
10.2-inch Control Display. This screen is centrally positioned and like the
controls in the central section of the instrument panel, slightly oriented
towards the driver.
The new M Multifunction seats offer the driver and front passenger optimum
lateral support while cornering, but also a high level of comfort over long
distances. The lightweight seats with integrated belt system have an M-specific
design headlined by extremely prominent cushion and backrest bolsters, head
restraints integrated into the backrests, eye-catching stitching emphasizing the
segments of the seats, and an M logo embossed into the shoulder area. The M
Multifunction seats have electric height, fore/aft, side bolster and backrest
angle adjustment, and also come with pneumatically adjustable lumbar support, a
memory function and a manually adjustable thigh support. The M Multifunction
seats are fitted with active head restraints to reduce the risk of injury in a
rear-end impact.
The instrument cluster with black-panel-technology includes classic circular
instruments in traditional BMW M car style, with red needles and white
illumination, as well as model-specific displays and the M logo on the rev
counter. The shift program currently selected and gear engaged are shown in the
center of the instrument cluster. Feedback from all the drive and chassis
settings selected at the touch a button are also displayed in the instrument
cluster under the tachometer.
High-Revving V8 Engine
The new engine shared by the BMW M5 and M6 has the highest output ever generated
by a BMW M car, and at the same time provides the most efficient balance between
performance and fuel consumption. It is characterized by immediate throttle
response, a linear power band and an unusually high and flat torque curve. The
new engine produces around 10% higher output than the V10 engine of its
predecessors and torque is up by over 30%. At the same time, fuel consumption
and CO2 are expected to be reduced by approximately 30%.
To achieve the performance levels demanded by the M6, the engineers at BMW M
started with the proven BMW M developed V8 engine from the BMW X5 M - X6 M
(internally known as the S63) and further developed it for its duty in the
latest M5 and M6 models. Internally designated as the S63Tü this new engine uses
similar M Twin Power technology combined with the reverse flow V8 layout. The
result is that the high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo Technology
lends a whole new intensity to the powerful thrust at higher rev ranges for
which M cars are known. The 4.4-liter engine develops a peak output of 560 hp
(412 kW) at 5,750 - 7,000 rpm (versus 555 hp at 6,000 rpm for the S63), while
its maximum torque of 500 lb-ft (680 Nm) is on tap between 1,500 and 5,750 rpm
(versus 500 lb-ft from 1,500 to 5650 rpm for the S63). The rev limiter
intervenes at 7,200 rpm (up 200 rpm from the S63 engine). The rev band, which
offers extremely dynamic acceleration between peak torque and the availability
of maximum output, is therefore almost three times as wide as that of the V10
engine in the previous generation M6.
Active M Differential
The Active M Differential in the new M6 is an electronically controlled
multi-plate limited-slip differential programmed to optimize traction, stability
and sporting character.
The rear axle's multi-plate limited-slip differential works with high precision
and speed. Its control unit is connected with the Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) system via FlexRay high-speed data transfer technology and constantly
cross-checks the data collected by its sensors with the feedback from DSC. It
then uses this information to calculate the locking force required to deliver
optimum traction and stability. The data recorded by DSC sensors is also passed
on if the stability control system is in MDM mode or is switched off. The
locking force within the differential can be varied continuously between 0 and
100%. The ABS system retains full functionality in all situations.
In addition to the data provided by DSC, the Active M Differential's control
unit also takes into account the position of the accelerator pedal, the
rotational speed of the wheels and the car's yaw rate. Every driving situation
is therefore analyzed so that any loss of traction on one side of the car is
identified at an early stage. The degree of lock is adjusted as required within
a fraction of a second, enabling wheel spin to be prevented on slippery
surfaces, when the right and left rear wheel have widely differing friction
coefficients and in tight corners. Optimizing traction in this way also provides
unbeatable driving stability in challenging conditions and allows impressive
acceleration out of corners. The Active M Differential can also unlock just as
quickly to stabilize the car off-throttle.
High-Performance Brake System
The high-performance braking system of the new BMW M6 guarantees outstanding
stopping power matching the overall performance of the car. The typical BMW M
compound rotors have been further improved for the new M6. These rotors
thermally separate the central hub (constructed of aluminum) and the
vented/cross drilled cast iron rotors. As a result, the rotors are free to
expand and contract without warping. The diameter of the brake rotors is 15.7
inches (400 mm) at the front and 15.6 inches (396 mm) at the rear. The
six-piston fixed calipers are radially bolted to the pivot bearing and are
painted dark blue metallic complete with the M logo. Together, the brake system
has been tested to provide exceptional performance, fade resistance and pedal
feel.
The new BMW M6 Coupe and Convertible will be the first cars in the history of
BMW M to be offered with optional M Carbon-Ceramic brakes (in conjunction with
20-inch M light-alloy wheels as of July 2012 production). These new brakes are
without parallel and take the cars stopping power to another new level -
especially at the race track. The brake rotors measure 16.1 inches (410 mm) in
diameter at the front and 15.6 inches (396 mm) at the rear. Made from a
carbon-fiber ceramic compound, the rotors boast even greater resistance to heat
combined with significantly reduced rotating masses. The M Carbon-Ceramic brakes
are 42.8 lb (19.4 kg) lighter than the standard brakes, yet the innovative
material also displays exceptional resistance to wear, and the operating life of
the rotors is many times that of conventional equivalents. The optional M
Carbon-Ceramic system also sees six-piston fixed radial calipers at the front
teamed with single-piston floating calipers at the rear. The M Carbon-Ceramic
system can be easily identified through the wheels by the special gold-colored
calipers.
The standard M6 wheel and tire combination is a 19 inch M specific light alloy
wheels fitted with 265/40 R19 ultra-high performance summer tires in the front
and 295/35 R 19 tires at the rear. 20 inch forged M light-alloy wheels can be
ordered as an option.
Sports Car Cockpit - Custom Tailored M Drive Buttons
On the left-hand steering wheel spoke, the driver has two M Drive buttons which
can be used to call up a pre-configured setup for the car. For example, the
driver can save a sporty configuration on the "M1" button and a track focused
setup (with all driver aids shut off) on the "M2" button. The set-up selected
will remain activated until it is either cancelled by pressing the button again
or the driver switches to another M Drive setting. Once the system has been
switched off - as when the engine is started - it reverts back to a default
configuration focusing on efficiency and ride comfort.
The M Drive system in the new BMW M6 allows the driver to adjust no fewer than
six parameters: the engine management, the response of the Servotronic steering
system, the M DCT shift program, the DSC mode, the responses of DDC and the
information in the Head-Up Display. The desired settings can be configured in
any combination via the iDrive menu or by using the M Drive select buttons on
the center console to set the configuration followed by pressing and holding one
of the two M Drive buttons for a few seconds (until the configuration is
stored). For safety reasons, a setup involving setting MDM mode or "DSC Off"
requires confirmation from the driver - by pressing the M Drive button again -
before it can be activated. The setup configuration selected is shown by a "M1"
or "M2" symbol displayed in the instrument cluster.
M Head-Up Display
The M Drive configuration also includes the information shown on the optional M
Head-Up Display and projects important information onto the windshield directly
in the driver's field of vision. A full spectrum of colors is used to display
graphics and symbols and the all-color capability means road sign symbols can be
reproduced very realistically. In addition to a digital speed read-out, the
M-specific version of the Head-Up Display also shows the gear currently engaged
and a color rev counter symbol, complete with Shift Lights.
Body Structure and Safety
The hallmark M handling and occupant protection both are made possible due to
the extraordinary strength of the BMW M6 Coupe and Convertible body structures.
Incredibly, durable load-bearing structures and precisely defined deformation
zones keep the forces released in a collision away from the extremely stiff
passenger compartment. The new BMW M6 models include front and side airbags,
three-point inertial reel seat belts on all seats, front belt force limiters,
seat belt tensioners, and ISOFIX child seat attachments in the rear all as
standard equipment. The M6 Coupe also has side curtain head airbags for both
rows of seats while the M6 Convertible is equipped with roll-over protection.
Positioned behind the rear head restraints, these high-strength aluminum roll
bars extend automatically in a fraction of a second should there be a danger of
the car rolling over.
The BMW M6 weight is minimized by an intelligent mix of materials containing a
high proportion of high-tensile and ultra-high tensile steel, as well as
aluminum. The hood and doors of the new BMW M6 models are made of aluminum. The
front fenders on both models are molded from thermoplastic. The Coupe has the
unique Carbon Fiber Composite roof panel described earlier. In addition, the
trunk lids and - in the case of the BMW M6 Convertible - also the roof
compartment cover, are made from the glass fiber composite material SMC (Sheet
Molding Compound). With a power-to-weight ratio of 7.3lb/hp for the Coupe and
7.7lb/hp for the Convertible, both models represent a substantial step forward
from their predecessors.
The new 2012 BMW M6 Convertible will be the first to reach US BMW Center
showrooms in June 2012. The BMW M6 Coupe will arrive at US BMW Centers in the
late Summer of 2012 as a 2013 model. US Pricing, technical specification, EPA
mileage ratings, standard and optional equipment will be announced closer to the
on-sale date.
BMW M6 Convertible: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications