BMW M6

So Much More

As a single girl, I’d quite forgotten how pleasurable it is to feel the embrace of someone’s arms and allow all the cares and worries of the day float away. And if I remember that feeling correctly, it is exactly the same as sinking into the deep leather seats of BMW’s new M6. It has side supports, which are certainly so much more figure hugging than any other car I have driven. In fact so much more sums up everything to do with this very sophisticated saloon car.

The M6 transforms the 6 series grand tourer to a performance vehicle with so much more power than most cars, and yet it is still a comfortable and safe 2+2 continent crusher.

It offers a very sporting and luxurious ambience inside and features Merino leather upholstery and trim. Climate control incorporates Automatic Air Recirculation, which can be set to the desired temperature in both the front and rear compartments. In fact every standard feature that can be accessed, and there are many of them, has a much deeper side to it and even after a week I had probably only scratched the surface of every function. It will certainly give the new owner a continual journey of discovery.

I thought I’d taken a time tunnel into the future when just above the bottom of the windscreen appeared digital numbers and a variety of messages. The digits didn’t obstruct my vision at all, but because it is so ‘in your face’ I was always aware of exactly what speed I was doing. I really missed the head up display when I accidentally touched a button and turned it off.

Topping the list of reasons that customers buy this car though is for the performance of its V10 engine, which uses know how from BMW’s F1 programme. Made up of more than 1,000 individual components, sensors can perform a truly incredible 200 million individual calculations each second. On pressing the Power button, when it is safe to do so, it is possible to launch into warp speed. Even the descriptions of the engine components, such as ‘ten individual throttle butterflies’ and ‘launch control’ summon up a mind numbing vision of an incredible 507 horsepower, which is a new peak for BMW and for me too!

With a 0-62mph speed of 4.6 seconds moving on to an unlimited top speed of over 200mph, this car has so much more power than anything I have ever driven. Luckily from 62mph the M6 can be stationary after just 26 metres.

Typical of a car that likes to push forward, I found reversing difficult and jerky, especially if it needed a gentle touch on the accelerator to take it a few yards into a parking space.

Speed is helped with the incorporation of a carbon fibre roof, which reduces weight as well as improving handling and performance. There is a 70 litre plastic fuel tank, which is needed, because BMW says the M6 will accomplish 19mpg with combined use. Thank goodness I had a Tesco fuel voucher!!

Shopping is easily stored because there is a huge boot, which will take 450 litres. Although space in the rear will always be a compromise for a sports car, the new M6 offers sufficient room for two youngsters or even two adults on short journeys. Access is easy as the front seats slide a long way forwards and tip, whilst contoured back rests on the rear seats ensure good support.

The new BMW M6 went on sale at UK dealers in November 2005 priced at £80,755 on-the-road. Unfortunately only 400 cars will be available in the UK in 2006 and the waiting list already covers that allocation. Having spent only a week, almost living in this fantastic car, I really wish there could be so much more.

By Sue Cooke