Info about the new 6er, M6 included - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

bobafett · 9th December 2001, 09:47

From evo:

"Based on a shortened version of the next- generation 5-Series platform, the new car will be available as either a coupe or a full four-seater convertible. The coupe will go on sale in late 2003 with 3-litre straight-six or 3.5 or 4.5-litre V8 engines. Prices should start at under £40,000.

In 2004 the range will be topped by a flagship M6 model using a 5-litre V10 from the next-generation M5. The V10 powerplant is being developed to form a link with the vastly expensive BMW Formula 1 programme which has so far been under-used for marketing purposes. The M6 will be a spiritual successor to the M635CSi and is likely to have at least 450bhp. The 6-Series? body and many of its major chassis components will be made of aluminium ? much like the Z8 ? and the resultant low weight should ensure startling performance. Insiders are suggesting a target 0-60mph time of under 4.5 seconds with a potential top speed of over 180mph. However, this is likely to be reined in to the usual self-imposed 155mph limit."

Unfortunately: "The Controversial Z9 concept showed the direction in which chief stylist Chris Bangle is taking BMW and holds strong clues to the look of the 6-Series."

Also of note: "Whilst the six and eight-cylinder 6-Series won't be as hard-edged as the M3, the V10 will be a focussed sports car to rivel the Porsche 911, with a price around £70,000. Featuring the SMG sequential 'box, a multi-link rear axle and brake-by-wire technology, the M6 will have a formidale armoury."

Sounds interesting.

--Dan

Millie Miglia · 9th December 2001, 15:50

BMW has been jelous of the success of the Mercedes SL over the years. But I think the new 6 will give the new SL, Jag XK8/R and other rivals a run for their money!

Millie

Kunal · 9th December 2001, 19:13

Quote:

Originally posted by Millie Miglia
BMW has been jelous of the success of the Mercedes SL over the years. But I think the new 6 will give the new SL, Jag XK8/R and other rivals a run for their money!

Millie

Ha! Not with the styling i see in the sneak photos! Mercedes must be laughing all the way to the bank if this is the "styling direction" BMW is going to take! I don't believe in sado-masochism, so i will NOT be buying the 6-series if i am in the market for a roadster that handles well!

Dirim · 9th December 2001, 20:36

Doesn't look too bad to me

Ufuk

lai_j · 9th December 2001, 20:52

I think it doesn't look too bad either. But how about the rear??

TD · 9th December 2001, 21:27

For what its worth, the December 10, 01 Autoweek said that "BMW plans for the 6 series coupe include 500-hp V10, convertible.

Will the 500-hp V10 be the next M5 engine???

AW goes on to say that the new 6er (E63) "will be priced to compete with performance-oriented next gen Merc CLK, XK8 and Porsche 911 amoung others".

"Goes on sale in 2003" (likely a 04 model) "...a new take on sporting luxury"

"...front load-bearing structure forward of the windshield is made largely of aluminum...bonded directly to the main steel monocoque." All based on the next 5 series.

Engines offered; base 240hp 3.0 inline-6, 272hp 3.5L V8, 333 hp 4.5 V8 and "highlight of the 6 series range will be a red hot M6 powered by a 40-valve 5.0L V10...developed as a direct result of BMW's Formula One invlovement with the English-based Williams team..." "...the normally aspirated V10 will be good for at least 500hp..." "0-60 under 5 sec..."

"Two different transmissions ...the 6 speed from the new 7 series and the F1 six speed from the M3.

Topmodels will offer the Dynamic Drive system (a susp leveling system) like the new 7 series.

They showed two pics. the front has a lot of Z8 coupe influence and the back has a lot of the new 7 series. But the shape looks a lot like the pic above.

A drop-top will be out less than 12 months later.

This all sounds great!

TD 2000 M5

Kunal · 9th December 2001, 21:57

Quote:

Originally posted by TD
"Two different transmissions ...the 6 speed from the new 7 series and the F1 six speed from the M3.

Exactly what i was afraid of...

TheM5Kid · 10th December 2001, 01:13

Does this mean to imply, or directly state, that there will be no stick shift in the M6? I understand having SMG II as an option, that's great; but no stick shift to be offered at all...that's rediculous. One of my friends has a Ferrari 456 and he said that it was really difficult to get it as a stick. That's so sad.

///Brandon

(Is the guy on the left supposed to be a "thumbs up" guy or someone driving SMG II? I thought the latter)

MAVERICK · 10th December 2001, 02:21

theM5kid:
I agree. The day when BMW stops offering manuals on their ///M cars as an option is a sad day indeed.

We shall have to relish the current and older M cars and start to find another manufacturer who can satisfy the needs of a true auto enthusiast.

MEnthusiast · 10th December 2001, 05:02

I find it hard to believe that they would offer no real manual transmission.

After a lot of thought on the topic, I think the new BMW styling direction will grow on me- the new 6 seems to have a similar trunk to that of the new 7. However, I have a friend who has seen and sat in the new 7 and he says its much better than in the pictures. I admire BMW for being bold- it is the right move for them...........

I think we might see a M6 cabrio in the spring of 2006.