Thu, Sep 09, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Farewell to the M6 Coupe/Convertible
MUNICH: BMW M has announced the end of production of the M6 Coupé and the M6 Convertible.
In total 14,152 examples of these high-performance sports cars were built: 9,087 units of the Coupé were launched in 2005; and 5,065 Convertible models were presented the following year.
With the departure of these two cars and the already discontinued fourth-generation M5, production will also cease for the V10 high-rev engine.
For two years from 2005, the 10-cylinder 507hp unit took overall victory in the prestigious Engine of the Year Award, and in the two years that followed achieved first place on each occasion in the category for engines with displacement above 4 litres.
The M6 Convertible.
The stand-out feature of this unique engine, developed exclusively for the M5 and M6 models, was power delivery that was both dynamic and smooth even at higher loads. Output was developed from a 5-litre displacement split between 10 combustion chambers, with the two banks of cylinders cranked at 90 degrees to one another.
The engine delivered maximum output at 7,750rpm, with engine speed eventually peaking at 8,250rpm, and it has maximum torque of 520Nm.
In addition to the high-rev concept, a number of other technological details – electronically-controlled individual throttle valves, an ionic current control system and lateral force-controlled oil supply - were also directly derived from motor racing.
In much the same way, design principles of chassis technology and lightweight construction also found their way from the race track to the road. In the case of the BMW M6 Coupé, for example, carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) – a material that largely owes its introduction in the automotive sector to Formula One – was used in both the roof and bumper design. Its power-to-weight ratio of 3.37 kilograms per hp is another key indicator in the profile of the M6 Coupé. ''
The M5.
The M6 Coupe's prowess is supported by a seven-speed SMG Drivelogic and Launch Control for maximum acceleration from a standing start.
Standstill to 100kph is a mere 4.6 seconds. The M6 Convertible takes just 0.2 seconds longer.
The top markets for the M6 models and the M5 were the United States, Germany, Britain and Ireland.
Reports have come in of the new M6 spotted undergoing testing at the Nürburgring race track, with spy shots taken last month.
Meanwhile, BMW has started a blog with the rather provocative address:
www.dontblogaboutthis.com.
The viral site has two video clips and six pictures that showed what looked like a new 6 Series hybrid concept in development.
The Paris Motor Show is just weeks away, and the "what's-BMW-up-to?" fog may clear by then.
http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/05/31/spy-video-2011-bmw-6-series/
