2013 BMW M6 To Debut As A Ragtop, Then Coupe

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Dentists and divorcees, rejoice! The BMW M6 will debut as a convertible first, with deliveries starting in June. The hardtop will go on sale later this summer – both will get all the same mechanical bits as an M5, but with only two-doors, you can shed the family image in favor of someone who pays (or receives) alimony.

The 4.4L twin-turbo V8 makes 560 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, with peak twist coming between 1,500 and 5,750 rpm. A 7-speed dual clutch helps the coupe hit 62 mph in 4.2 seconds, with the cabrio taking an additional tenth. While BMW is touting the 16″ ceramic brakes, electro-hydraulic dampers and carbon fiber roof, they didn’t release any weight specifications for the car. The previous versions weighed in the neighbourhood of 4,000 and 4,400 lbs, gargantuan figures for a passenger car. BMW cited a power/weight ratio of 7.3lb/hp for the coupe and 7.7lb/hp for the convertible, which suggests a curb weight of 4088 lbs for the coupe and 4312 lbs for the ragtop. Plus ca change, plus c’est la même chose. Or whatever the German equivalent is.












Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

More by Derek Kreindler

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 10 comments
  • Speedlaw Speedlaw on Feb 12, 2012

    Drove the last 650i. It was already over the top. Sadly most of the divorcees, etc will be a waste for an M version.

  • FJ60LandCruiser FJ60LandCruiser on Feb 13, 2012

    BMW has finally built a Mercedes. As resurrected 6-series go, this one is considerably less Pontiac than its prdecessor, and arguably the true incarnation of what a Grand Tourer SHOULD be. It should be fast on the highway, smooth over bad roads, and able to cruise for 12 hours with only fuel breaks (and not time off to re-apply the warming pads for a sore back). Whether BMW realizes that this is the equivalent of a highway cruise missile and not something that should defy all laws of physics on a road course remains to be seen. A car like this bears merit on what it feels like at 80-90mph in the left lane of a worn and torn highway on a red-eye drive from Atlanta to Tampa. Too bad it's a crappy turbo. A beast like this needs more displacement and to breathe on its own. Turbos belong on pickup trucks and stupid high school kids' subcompacts.

  • Lou_BC Actuality a very reasonable question.
  • Lou_BC Peak rocket esthetic in those taillights (last photo)
  • Lou_BC A pickup for most people would be a safe used car bet. Hard use/ abuse is relatively easy to spot and most people do not come close to using their full capabilities.
  • Lorenzo People don't want EVs, they want inexpensive vehicles. EVs are not that. To paraphrase the philosopher Yogi Berra: If people don't wanna buy 'em, how you gonna stop 'em?
  • Ras815 Ok, you weren't kidding. That rear pillar window trick is freakin' awesome. Even in 2024.
Next