With power comes not just responsibility, but luxury
too. That’s something we experienced for ourselves during an exhilarating first
drive in the all-new BMW M6 Gran Coupé in Germany recently
Last month we were invited to Munich, the home of BMW, and
specifically to the M Division for a first drive in the all-new M6 Gran Coupé,
the latest addition to the M family. The M Division is not merely the
performance arm of BMW, but it also makes high-security cars for potentates and
heads of states.
The Gran Coupé is one of the nicest looking cars to come out
of the BMW stable and the M package improves its looks even further. When you
generate more power, you also generate more heat and that is one of the reasons
the front of the car is dominated by large air intakes and the adaptive LED
headlights with the M kidney grille round the front end. The low roof-line
flowing smoothly into the rear along with the swage line, which takes in the
door openers and with the side windows extending well into the C-pillars
accentuate the dynamically stretched silhouette from the side.
The BMW M6 Grand
Coupé is a visual standout from every angle, inside and out
A few of the key features that make the M stand out from the
regular Gran Coupé are its flared wheel-arches, M gills, aerodynamically
optimized exterior mirrors and the 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke
design. The M signature quad exhaust pipes are positioned on the outer edge of
the rear apron. Also integrated into the rear apron is the CFRP diffuser to
optimize the under-body airflow.
Gold calipers
denote carbon-ceramic brakes
The quality of interior is top-class as expected from a BMW.
The lightweight carbon roof is lined with Alcantara leather, which saves weight
and adds rigidity. The driver and the front passenger get the M sports seats
with integral belt guides. The M sports Merino leather seats that give support
in all the right areas, including excellent side support, which is required
especially in a car like the M6 as it generates a lot of lateral G forces under
hard cornering. The interior is like a sports car wherein the whole meter
console is focused towards the driver. The Bang & Olufsen music system adds
to the luxury of the car.
Premium interiors
are driver focussed and sport M badges; M Sport seats offer good bolster
support
The M6 is powered by an M Twin Power Turbo 4,395-cc V8
engine. The V8 with M Twin Power Turbo produces 560 PS. The technologies used
in this engine are a pair of twin-scroll turbochargers, a cross-bank exhaust
manifold, direct petrol injection, valvetronic variable timing and double-vanos
continuously variable camshaft control. The 4,395-cc engine produces a hefty
680 Nm of torque between 1,500 RPM and 5,750 RPM while the massive 560 PS is
produced between 6,000 and 7,000 RPM.
The powerful motor is mated to a seven-speed M double-clutch
transmission with drive logic. The transmission’s electronic management system
ensures the right gear is selected for optimum response and traction. It has
launch control for maximum acceleration. The power gets transferred to the road
via the active M differential through the rear wheels. The electronically
controlled multi-disc limited-slip differential works along with DSC (Dynamic
Stability Control) system and splits the drive between the right and left rear
wheel quickly and precisely according to the situation.
Twin Power Turbo
V8 delivers a flat torque curve which translate to excellent driveabiity and
acceleration
The M Division has worked on the chassis to harness the
extra performance. Like the integral rear axle, the double-wishbone front axle
has components made from forged aluminium. The car is fitted with M-specific
version of the dynamic damper control system and hydraulic variable-ratio
rack-and-pinion steering with the M Servotronic function.
The drive was from Munich to the Neuschwanstein Castle and
back – a total distance of close to 400 kilometres. These 400 kilometres
comprised a variety of roads from unrestricted autobahns to B country roads and
some nice mountainous sections. It still was winter and the temperature was in
single digits. I was lucky with the weather, it being bright and sunny, but
parts of the landscape around were still covered with snow.
Gran Coupe
provides only four seats whilst the M5 offers one more
After a short briefing we were handed the keys to the M6 at
the BMW press fleet centre, which is located a few kilometres from the Munich
airport. The route map was fed in and I was all set for the drive. Within a few
kilometres we were on the autobahn and cruising at close to double-ton speeds.
Soon we were on the country roads and I was throwing the M6 from one corner to
another and it was responding well to all my commands. The flat torque curve
from 1,500 RPM onwards makes it surge forward at the slightest tap on the
pedal. With the M2 mode selected the car becomes sharp like a razor-blade and
if you want to light up the rear tyres, all you have to do is select first and
floor the throttle and you can feel and smell the winter rubber as it lights
up.
All in all, the M6 Gran Coupé is a fun car and at the same
time it gives you all the luxury you want from a car.
