|
|
Exterior
Design
|
The exterior - proud
understatement all the way
The BMW 6 Series also
sets the standard in the segment of luxury coupes,
its successful synthesis of high-performance ethnology and elegant,
powerful looks thrilling customers the world over.
Given qualities of this
kind, it was obvious from the start that the technical modifications
and improvements introduced on the M6 were not to significantly
change the looks of the car. The designers and development
specialists at BMW M therefore faced the task to give the M6 a truly
unique look, while at the same time retaining the beautiful
appearance of the BMW 6 Series. This is why the changes in design
are relatively discreet but nevertheless consistent, clearly
underlining the self-confident character of the car. Wherever the
BMW M6 makes its appearance, it represents the status of a very
dynamic and powerful-high-performance coupe without bragging or
flaunting its muscle. In other words, this is the perfect rendition
of performance, design and driving pleasure so typical of BMW's M
Philosophy.
Muscular, dynamic,
elegant
Extending down close to the road, the front air dam is powerful in
its design and comes with large air intakes feeding air to the
high-speed engine. Flaps on the front air dam serve to reduce lift
forces on the front axle, the minimization of lift forces thus
guaranteeing superior driving stability even at high speeds.
Powerful proportions also from the side.
Very low and muscular in
their appearance, the side-sills are more aggressively contoured
than on the "basic" 6 Series. Through their interplay of light
and shade, they accentuate the length of the car and generate a very
dynamic impression.
Again, this modification
serves both optical and, in particular, technical purposes. The
side-sills optimize the flow of air along the underfloor and improve
the car's aerodynamic qualities. The underfloor itself, finally, has
also been optimized for perfect aerodynamics through the addition of
appropriate panels.
Like every M Car, the
BMW M6 comes with exclusive wheels: In this case these are19-inch
forged aluminum wheels with five almost delicate double-spokes
providing a clear view of the brake discs and swing calipers on the
brakes.
Ensuring an extremely sporting touch, this design gives the
silhouette of the BMW M6 a very light and nimble appearance. And the
word "light" is indeed appropriate, with the wheels weighing 1.8 kg
or 4.0 lb less than comparable, light-alloy wheels. Tire dimensions,
finally, are 255/40 ZR 19 at the front and 285/35 ZR 19 at the rear.
Superior aerodynamics to the last detail.
The BMW M logo in the
ornamental slats at the side with the integrated
direction indicator clearly bears testimony to the car's
sophisticated origin.
And the M6 also differs from the "standard" 6 Series through its
exterior mirrors accentuating the sporting looks of the car through
their striking design and interaction of light. Here again, the rule
applied is that form follows function. The design of the exterior
mirrors developed in the wind tunnel
serves to reduce lift forces on the front axle.
The rear diffuser on the
rear air dam as well as flaps to the left and right of
the diffuser accentuate the particularly powerful and dynamic look
of the car.
The rear light units in the bumper are slightly higher up than in
the regular model, the numberplate is integrated in the rear air
dam. The most significant eye-catcher at the rear, however, is of
course the four round tailpipes so typical of all BMW M Models.
The rear diffuser
fulfils a fundamental function in the guidance of air along the
underside. Improving flow conditions in conjunction with the spoiler
discreetly integrated in the luggage compartment lid and the smooth
underfloor, the diffuser helps to give the car a very good drag
coefficient with a further reduction of lift forces. And at the same
time the diffuser improves the
extraction of cooling air from the final drive.
Battery in the luggage
compartment
Housed in the luggage compartment, the AGM battery helps to give the
M6 its good front-to-rear weight balance. The special advantages of
this kind of battery lie in its charging behavior, with a charge
cycle three times higher than with a conventional battery in the
interest of a longer service life.
The 70-litre (16.3 Imp
gal) fuel tank made of a special plastic material is fitted in front
of the rear axle, the double- and suction-jet pump controlled
on-demand as a function of pressure ensuring a reliable supply of
fuel also under powerful longitudinal and lateral acceleration.
Indianapolis Red
exclusive to the M6
The paintwork of every new BMW Model is naturally a great tradition
upheld by BMW M GmbH. The BMW M6 will come with the most sporting
and dynamic paintwork color conceivable: Indianapolis Red. Other
colors are Seeping Bronze, Interlagos Blue, and Silverstone II M
metallic, as well as two further options from the BMW 6 Series color
range. Added to this, there is also Alpine White non-metallic
paintwork. The M6 logo is to be admired on the ornamental slats in
the side panels, on the rear lid, and on the illuminated door
strips.
|