BMW M has
paired the powerful engine with its insanely fast seven-speed dual-clutch
transmission, which in turn sends all that twist to the rear wheels. Forced fed
by a duo of turbochargers, the M6 displays zero turbo lag, and when set to its
most aggressive throttle setting, the car literally lunges forward
instantaneously without hesitation.
BMW’s
preset Driving Experience Control (the switch for Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and
Sport+) was dropped from the line-up, in its place, you get to adjust all the
various options to your own liking. These include, shifting speed, damper
firmness, power delivery as well as steering feel. As an added convenience, the
driver can save the above settings to the car’s iDrive
system and switch between various modes on the fly via the steering wheel
mounted M buttons.
Thankfully,
BMW M offers the M6 Gran Coupe with an old school hydraulic rack instead of the
overly-boosted and usually very vague electrical steering systems. While the
latter is highly valued for its fuel-saving qualities, the M6’s steering is
well-weighted and extremely responsive. At speed, the steering feels snappy and
very direct with just the right amount of feedback.
The 4.4-liter V-8
produces 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque
Amazingly,
the carbon-ceramic brakes that bring the Gran Coupe to a halt are a linear
affair with the brake pedal performance being relatively easy to modulate,
surprisingly they are not too twitchy which shouldn’t snap your neck each time
you rest your feet on the brakes. You might ask, why
any road car would require such brakes, which are usually commonplace on a race
track instead. Take the M6 for a test-drive and you
will quickly realize why.
To say the
M6 is fast is an understatement. This car is (insert your
choice of expletive) quick. All that power from the engine hits like a
sledgehammer right from the get-go, moulding
passengers into their leather seats and only easing off when the driver
realizes he or she has exceeded the speed limit two fold and backs off on the
throttle. The power band encompasses nearly every rev range, from near idle
right up to redline. Do pay close attention to your speedo though, as dropping
a few gears down to overtake on the expressways can easily propel the M6 past
the 180km/h mark almost instantly.
The three-spoke
steering wheel includes standard paddle shifters
The M DCT
seven-speeder transmission is a work of art, when cruising around leisurely,
it’s as smooth as any traditional auto-box, but change it to the highest
setting and the dual-clutch comes alive with rapid up and downshifts that have
a pump-gun like recoil. Each gear change is accompanied by a soft backfire-like
‘pop’ coming from the quad exhausts with a loud scream as you shift up and a
low bassy rumble when you down shift. However, I
would have much preferred that BMW would have made a Parking switch or button
on the shifter instead of the driver setting the emergency brake and leaving
the car in Neutral.
Just like
the engine and transmission, the suspension on the M6 can be calibrated to suit
a wide spectrum of road conditions. The M Dynamic Damper Control allows you to
tweak shock absorber firmness for a harder or softer ride based on the ground
you are travelling on. While there are obvious differences between the softest
and hardest settings, the M6’s ride is rightfully hard – just the way it should
be. You will still feel those bumps and uneven surfaces just at varying levels,
but all that is forgiven once you find that perfect strip of tarmac.
Large air intakes
undercut the classic BMW kidney grille
On the
move, the M6 Gran Coupe’s fluidity is unmatched by any four-door vehicle thanks
to its flat, neutral handling that features minimal body roll and a progressive
nature that encourages the driver to push their limit without suddenly snapping
back to catch you unaware.
As a total
package, the BMW M6 Gran Coupe is the perfect blend of technology, performance,
luxury and comfort. A very well balanced car, that’s not only competent in just
about any situation but practical as well. You can cruise around in it
leisurely as a daily commute or if the occasion calls for it; a proper and
highly entertaining performance car.
