Who It’s For: The sexy people. Or anyone who wants a luxury car that feels like a sports car and can afford the $133,500 price tag.
What Makes It Hot: For the 2016 model year, the three M6 vehicles are virtually a carryover, with the exception of standard LED headlights and a new competition package upgrade. The 560-horsepower trio of M-Series vehicles are available as a traditional coupe, a convertible and a four-door sedan. Each of the athletically enhanced vehicles are based off of BMW’s standard trio of 6-Series and 5-Series vehicles.
Our powerhouse Gran Coupe was meticulously outfitted with wall to wall red leather, from the seats to the seat belts to the headliner. This is the first vehicle we’ve reviewed with a suede and leather headliner. This head-turning four-door beast, with its coupe-like styling, stands out from a typical Bimmer due to its carbon fiber roof, side skirts, twin tailpipes, stout 20-inch wheels and optional gold-plated brake calipers.
The 8-cylinder Beast packs a 4.4-liter turbocharged, 560-horsepower engine, which was all controlled by our standard 6-speed manual transmission. Maaan, listen. ‘The Beast’ is a lot of fun behind the wheel. Thank God our vehicle was accessorized with the optional Head Up display system, which posted the speed on the windshield. This must-have feature helped avoid any unpleasant encounters with blue flashing lights.
For those who are unwilling or incapable of shifting through the easy-to-use six gears of heaven, a 7-speed double-clutch automatic transmission is available. While our Gran Coupe lacked the very latest optional advanced safety driving features, BMW does offer a blind spot monitor, a lane departure warning system and a surround view camera which can all be viewed on the gigantic 10-inch infotainment screen.
The M6 is for the real drivers out there. ‘The Beast’ has wide, supportive front seats, a crystal clear 16-speaker audio system and the latest luxe options to enhance the comfort of the rear passengers, too. Yes, this BMW is a mean-looking road warrior with all the hype to back it up.
What Makes It Not: The M6 Gran Coupe is only capable of seating 4 — as opposed to — 5 occupants, like in the standard BMW 5-Series models. Unfortunately, while we love all of the excess power that oozes out seemingly effortlessly from underneath the hood, realistically, this powerhouse beast is just too much vehicle for roaming the city streets. Like a baby yearning to climb out of a crib, our test vehicle was begging to be opened up but for most drivers, that’s going to be hard to do consistently.
There’s no room for a power moonroof, because of the carbon fiber roof. Well, you can’t have everything. However, if having access to open air is of importance to you, you can always opt the BMW Gran Coupe’s convertible sibling.
For those living in a climate that requires an all-wheel drive system, the M5 only has rear-wheel drive capabilities, unlike all of its coupe-like premium class competitors that are available in an all-wheel drive configuration.
Drive or Drive By: BMW continues to push the limit with niche vehicles. The M6 is just the latest trio of vehicles from the German brand, as they explore every aspect of catering to the luxury buyer with a hunger for power. The well-executed M6 Gran Coupe offers a sporty visual that sets this German sedan apart from most other vehicles in the midsize premium coupe-like segment. In this premium price 4-seater segment, there are really only three other makes and models to consider. But those competitors are only available with an automatic transmission.
Highlights: The M6 is available as a ‘true coupe’ and convertible, too.
Test vehicle’s MSRP: $133,500 (base price:$118,195 )
Seating Capacity: 4
Standard Safety Features: ABS; airbags; a rearview camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; LED adaptive front headlights; LED fog lights; ambiance interior lights; an auto-dimming rearview mirror; keyless entry system; electric parking brakes; Xenon adaptive headlights; and a rearview camera.
Standard Equipment: 20-inch tires; 20-way power front Merino leather seats; heated front seats; carbon fiber interior trim; 10-inch navigation screen; a radar-activated cruise control system; a start/stop fuel engine saver system; heated front seats; automatic 4-zone climate control system; parking distance control feature; a power operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; power adjustable heated side mirrors; an auto trunk closer; active ‘M’ suspension; an engine start/stop function; an electronic controlled engine cooling system; a carbon fiber roof; an enhanced iDrive screen; illuminated M door sill finishers; and a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel
Optional Features On Test Vehicle: a manual transmission; M Carbon Gold-Plated Ceramic Brakes; an executive package, which includes a heated steering wheel, a power rear sunshade, rear side shades, front ventilated seats, heated rear seats and a head-up windshield display system; and a smartphone integration system.
Other Trim Level:
M6 Series 4.4L Coupe
M6 Series 4.4L Convertible
Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 16-speaker, a 600-watt Harman Kardon audio system with AM/FM/HD and satellite radio
Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes
USB connectivity: Yes
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
Standard Engine/Horsepower: 8-cylinder/560-hp
Recommended Fuel: Premium
Standard Fuel Mileage:
15-city/22-hwy
Competition: Audi RS 7, Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe, AMG CLS63 and Porsche Panamera Turbo
Jeff Fortson is an auto analyst and editor of a car-buying website for women and minorities. To learn more about his popular car-buying workshop and/or to price a new-vehicle, drive on over to www.JeffCars.com. Follow him on Twitter/JeffCars.
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