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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