Skip to main content

BMW M6 Gran Coupe: An M6 with two more doors, or a more stylish M5?

BMW is showing off its M6 Gran Coupe before the car’s official debut at the Detroit Auto Show. Just as the regular 6 Series Gran Coupe wraps 6 Series Coupe mechanicals in new sheetmetal, this performance version is essentially a “four door coupe” version of the M6 Coupe.

As with other BMW M models, turning a Gran Coupe into an M6 involves an injection of power and technology. The M6 Gran Coupe will get the 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 used in the M6 Coupe, M6 Convertible, and M5. In the Gran Coupe, it makes the same 560 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque.

The V8 is mated to BMW’s seven-speed M Double-Clutch automated manual transmission, which features Launch Control, Low Speed Assistance to (hopefully) keep the transmission from feeling jerky at parking lot speeds, and an engine start-stop function.

Completing the drivetrain is the Active M Differential, an electronically-controlled rear differential that works with the M6’s stability control to shift power between individual wheels depending on conditions.

With all of that equipment deployed, BMW says the M6 Gran Coupe will sprint from 0 to 62 mph in (0 to 100 kph) in 4.2 seconds, and reach an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (189 mph with the M Driver’s Package). That’s the same 0 to 62 mph time as the M6 Coupe, and a slightly faster time than the M6 Convertible (4.3 seconds) and the M5 sedan (4.4 seconds).

As with those other M models, the M6 Gran Coupe comes with plenty of electronic assistants to help its driver get around corners without crashing. These include the aforementioned Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Damper Control mapping, M Servotronic, and a Drivelogic controller for the transmission. All of these functions can be controlled with buttons placed around the shifter. The driver’s preferred settings can be activated with the “M” buttons on the steering wheel.

If that sounds like a tech overload, there are even more features that have nothing to do with performance. The M6 Gran Coupe is available with everything from night vision to a “Soft Close Automatic” setting for the doors.

Entertainment features include a Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound System and smartphone integration. Safety features include: Park Distance Control, Lane Departure and Lane Change Warning, Speed Limit Info, and a rearview camera.

Despite all of the tech under the skin, a passersby might mistake this M6 for a less-opulent 640i Gran Coupe. BMW’s M models have always been restrained, and this one is no different. Visual changes include more aggressive front and rear fascias, unique 20-inch wheels, and the traditional M vents on the front fenders. The Gran Coupe also gets the M6 Coupe’s carbon fiber-reinforced plastic roof.

The M6 Gran Coupe will go on sale in May 2013. American pricing has not been announced, but the Gran Coupe will sell for 128,800 euros in Germany. Anyone who can come up with the cash will have a tough choice: The Gran Coupe, M6 Coupe, and M5 sedan are essentially the same car underneath, so it will all come down to styling preference.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Cadillac aims to balance its lineup with a small electric SUV
Exterior of the Cadillac Optiq compact electric SUV.

Cadillac will add an entry-level electric SUV to its lineup in 2024.

The Cadillac Optiq is a "luxury compact SUV" slotting below the Lyriq in the brand's EV hierarchy. Photos released with the brief announcement show styling features that tie the Optiq to the larger Lyriq, such as split taillights, but other details won't be released until closer to the Optiq's launch.

Read more
Why your EV’s voltage matters, and what it means for your car’s charging speed
Front three-quarters view of a 2023 Kia EV6 GT in a desert setting.

Electric cars are slowly, but surely becoming commonplace, and they introduce a whole new generation of specifications that are worth caring about. Range is an obvious one -- but there's another metric that has a major impact on the overall experience of owning an electric car: voltage.

You'll often see the voltage of an electric car's battery pack touted in advertising. Hyundai, for instance, is proud of the 800 -volt battery in cars like the EV6 -- that's double the voltage of the 400V battery in the Tesla Model Y.

Read more
This Milwaukee tire inflator is 59% off in Amazon’s Black Friday Sale
Milwaukee M18 Inflator connected to a van tire.

One of the most rewarding parts of covering Black Friday deals is finding an essential tool at a truly low price that can help our readers get out of a jam. Such is the way with this Milwaukee M18 Inflator, which will inflate your tires to a precise PSI at the touch of a button. This device is perfect for people that already own one of Milwaukee's M18 tool batteries, which is what it uses, but (we'll soon see) it is also a fantastic entry point into using Milwaukee cordless power tools. Normally the Milwaukee M18 Inflator is $310, but you can get one now for $128. That's a savings of $182. Tap the button below to grab one quickly, while they're still in stock, or keep reading for why we like it.

Why you should buy the Milwaukee M18 Inflator
First and foremost, the Milwaukee M18 Inflator provides an easy way for you to inflate your tires in a pinch or awkward situation. It is particularly great for the tires of riding lawnmowers. They tend to be awkward to get to the gas station or other place where you traditionally inflate tires and would be a pain to hand inflate. Usage of the machine is simple. Insert an M18 Milwaukee battery, set the desired PSI for the deflated tire, connect to the tire and wait until it is done inflating. The Milwaukee M18 Inflator will stop pumping air automatically once the ideal PSI is achieved. When you're done, the Milwaukee M18 Inflator is small and easy to tuck away, being about the size of a lunchbox.

Read more