After our duo test with the BMW
M6 Coupé and the BMW
M6 Convertible it was finally time to test BMW’s latest M-model, the
BMW M6 Gran Coupé. With the Gran Coupé, BMW has followed Mercedes and Audi in a
particularly important market niche. With the M-model, BMW can compete with the
Mercedes CLS63 AMG, Porsche Panamera Turbo and the brand new Audi RS7,
which we have also tested recently.
The M6 Gran Coupé rides, just like the normal 6-series Coupé
on a 2.97 meters wheelbase, which is about 114 mm longer than the two-door
6-series but about four inches longer than the 5-series sedan. This extra
length has been used to enhance seating comfort for the rear passenger. Expect
more rear legroom but less headroom in the back because of the roof. Compared
to the two-door coupé, the Gran Coupe is 113mm longer and the roofline is 23mm
higher.
The Engine, Gearbox & Drivetrain
In the front we have the 4.4 litre twin-turbocharged V8
engine, similar to the power plant of the M5. It produces 680 Nm available from
1,500 rpm to 5,750 rpm. The violence of the 560hp stops at 7,200 rpm when the
redline arrives. The engine features direct fuel injection, Valvetronic
variable valve timing and Double VANOS continuously variable camshaft control,
all of which help it to rev to 7,200 rpm.
The engine forms an excellent team with the seven-speed Dual
Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic. The M-DCT gives you perfect fast changes
when in manual mode but also offers comfort automatic shifting while cruising.
The M6 Gran Coupe is fitted with an extremely capable chassis, which includes
an active limited-slip differential, electronically controlled shock absorbers
and a fixed rear sub frame which provides excellent balance between the rear
wheels. The active limited-slip differential reduces under steer, provides
better high-speed stability and improves cornering performance. But this car
isn’t for quick cornering and small roads, this car is for high speed cruising.
At any speed the car just keeps accelerating. While driving on the insert lane
of the highway, high speeds are reached even before entering it.
Arranged around the gearshift lever on the centre console of
the BMW M6 Gran Coupé are the buttons used to configure all the adjustable
power train and chassis functions to personal tastes. The DSC mode, engine
performance characteristics, Dynamic Damper Control mapping, M Servotronic
responses and M DCT Drivelogic shift program can be selected independently of
each other. All of which means the driver can put together a detailed personal
set-up and store those settings on one of the two M Drive buttons on the
multifunction steering wheel. When changing the settings, for example the DSC
to Sport or Sport+ the traction control will help you less when needed. When
changing the engine performance characteristics(the button with the biggest
changes in our opinion) to Sport or even Sport+, the M6 Gran Coupe will stay in
the higher rev ranges, while getting a lot better throttle responses and a
better exhaust sound. This setting is great when pushing the car when there is
enough space.
Performance
The M6 Gran Coupé sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 4,2
seconds. That’s as quick as the M6 coupé and 0.3 seconds quicker than the
lighter M5. The top speed is limited at 250 km/h but it can be raised to 305
km/h with the addition of the M Drivers package.
Our test car was fitted with the M carbon ceramic brakes.
The brakes weigh 50% less than the M compound brake disc and thanks to their
exceptionally resistant’s to corrosion, the M carbon ceramic brake have a much
longer life. You have to get used to these brakes because the feel and
behaviour is a little different compared to the compound brake disc. Especially
when they are wet and cold there is not much braking power and the brakes have
to be pushed hard.
Suspension
The Sport and Sport+ settings of the Dynamic Damper Control
are slightly felt when driving in a straight line but the settings are really a
different when it comes to cornering. The dampers are not so kind anymore and
keeping the car steadier than ever. The car will say no to bumps and unevenness
in roads, where it is a yes in comfort.
To enjoy a bit of both, comfort and sport, we kept this
setting mostly in Sport. Next we have the Steering set-up. This also can be
changed to Sport and Sport +. Changing this setting, will change the steering
weight. It will let the car listen very carefully to your steering movements.
The steering gets a little bit heavy but the faster you are driving, the
lighter and more useful it will get. The car steers perfectly and really direct
wherever you want. This is really handy when driving at high speeds or while
pushing the car because the sensitivity of the steering gives you more
confidence.
Design
We already knew the M design front and rear bumper with the
four exhaust tips from the M6 Coupé and Convertible but the Gran Coupé model is
the one which is, in our opinion, the best looking 6-series. The M6 version is
also recognizable by the M badges in the front grill, on the side and on the
back.
The exterior design has a sort of elegance. In combination
with the strong lines it looks quite unique especially with Frozen Silver
metallic paint. The matte is a matter of love it or hate it and we love it! In
combination with the design of the 6-series Gran Coupé, the carbon roof and the
carbon diffusor , it’s really eye catching. Besides the braking performance the
ceramic brakes have a stunning look with the matte gold callipers. Around the
brakes, BMW fitted 20″ M Double-spoke light-alloy wheels, exclusively for the
BMW M6 Gran Coupé. The rims are available in two different versions.
The Interior
The driving position is quite the same as the 6-series coupé,
it feels lower than the M5. Other things you will notice are the many options
fitted to our test car. First of all, the Head-Up display. The display projects
the speed, navigation direction and Check Control data into the driver’s view
into the front window. Pressing a button activates the M-specific indicator. In
addition to the speed, the Head-Up Display also displays the SMG gear currently
selected via the variable rev counter with shift lights. First you have to get
used to the projection but after a while it isn’t annoying anymore but very
useful instead. Furthermore the car was fitted with every option you can
imagine.
A small enumeration: Soft Close Automatic doors, 4 zone
automatic air-conditioning, electric sun screen, surround view, Park Distance
Control, active M Multi functional seats with ventilation and many more.
Highlights were the Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound system which
made you experience music like you were live at a concert. The Night Vision
option was cool and also useful at some points. It recognizes pedestrians when
you are driving in a complete dark street. But it can also be used while
driving on the Autobahn in the middle of the night.
Next to all the technical options our test car was provided
with dark brown BMW Individual Leather upholstery and BMW Individual Piano
Black inlay trim. BMW Individual can make your BMW unique and more exclusive
when you want more than just the normal options.
Driving Experience
During our test drive of two days we drove about 700km across
almost every road you can imagine. Through the city, the country side and of
course the highway. We tested a various of settings in different circumstances.
We left everything in comfort while driving in the city. While driving through
the city at low speeds it feels like a normal Gran Coupé. Not uncomfortable,
not aggressive but just easy and light to drive.
We also drove a short route through the country side. It
doesn’t feel much bigger than the Coupé but it feels big on small roads. For
example when cornering you feel that the car is heavy, especially in the front
what causes a little bit of under steer. On the German autobahn the BMW M6 Gran
Coupe is perfectly in its element. Always enough power under your right foot
and no compromise in comfort.
How does it compare to the BMW M5?
As we said in the beginning of this review the M5 is
slightly shorter which causes more leg room in the M6 Gran Coupé. On the other
hand the head room in the Gran Coupé is less because of the roof lining. Our
test driver of 1.83m had no problem but our 5cm taller passenger had
difficulties with head during our city drive which included some speed bumps.
The BMW M5 is lighter but the difference is not noticeable.
The biggest difference between the M5 and the M6 Gran Coupé is of course the
design but also the price… The M6 Gran Coupé costs you 25,000 Euro more than
the BMW M5. And the second hand M5’s are even cheaper if you do not
specifically want a brand new car. So you have to think, is the BMW M6 Gran
Coupé worth the extra money?
source: gtspirit.comby Willem
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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