The New BMW M6 Convertible - VIDEO ENHANCED STORY

WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ - June 20, 2006: The world-famous division of BMW, M GmbH follows its tradition of producing ultra-performance luxury vehicles by introducing its latest variant - the new BMW M6 Convertible. For the genuine motoring enthusiast, the M6 Convertible provides the open-air version of supreme power and high-performance.

CLICK HERE to watch the M6 on the road.

The BMW M6 Convertible is a unique performer featuring the internationally acclaimed engine of the year – the 5.0-litre V10 – which produces an awesome 373 kW (507 bhp) and maximum torque of 520 Nm. With a suspension developed for supreme dynamics and a Sequential M Gearbox (SMG) complete with Drivelogic, this ultimate power unit turns the latest product from BMW M into an open sports car able to accelerate to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds.

Measuring 4,871 mm in length, BMW M’s new high-performance convertible is more than 5 cm longer than the BMW 6 Series Convertible due to its rear air dam, optimised for supreme aerodynamic performance.

Typical of BMW’s M Cars, the M6 Convertible also features four exhaust tailpipes at the rear.

Fin-roof look with softtop either closed or open The roof of the BMW M6 convertible is made of three layers. A special noise and heat insulating layer of polyurethane (PUR) foam comes between the rubberized outer layer and the interior roof lining. Thanks to its unique fin-roof look, the soft top boasts the same dynamic contours as the Coupe. The wide C-pillar is characterised by BMW’s famous Hofmeister ‘kick’.

CLICK HERE to watch a video clip of the M6 exterior.

A vertically positioned rear window can be electrically adjusted to move up or down, regardless of whether the roof itself is open or closed. The roof itself can be opened or closed either by remote control or via a button on the instrument panel with the entire process either way taking less than 25 seconds.

The interior: sports car character with proud style The interior of the BMW M6 Convertible again boasts a wide range of stylish and practical features. Due its driver-oriented cockpit, all essential functions are positioned either on or around the steering wheel. The iDrive controller, housed on the centre console, is positioned for access by both driver and front passenger, and can be used to activate and operate a wide range of comfort functions via the Control Display. The Control Display comes with an enhanced menu guidance which also features MDrive management.

CLICK HERE to watch a video clip of the M6 interior.

The speedometer and rev counter are housed in tube-shaped rings, the faces on the instrument dials are black, the numbers stand out clearly in white, and the indicator needles themselves come in traditional BMW M red.

Head-Up Display (HUD), as featured in the M5 and M6 Coupé, presents driving information essential to the driver directly in their field of vision, with the driver being able to determine at the touch of a button what information they wish to see – either the standard display or M specific details.

The V10 Convertible: a pledge to power and performance Boasting a 373 kW V10 power unit, the BMW M6 Convertible is a pledge to power and performance. This fast-revving engine forms a perfect match with the optimum gear and final drive ratios, ensuring a perfectly dosed transmission of engine power to the drive wheels at the rear.

High-speed power unit and seven-gear SMG The high-speed power unit offers supreme output in all situations and under all conditions. As fast acceleration also calls for a fast and precise gearshift, the BMW M6 Convertible comes as standard with BMW’s Sequential M Gearbox (SMG) complete with Drivelogic. Seven-speed SMG conveys the power of the engine to the rear wheels via the drivetrain, offering the driver the option to shift gears manually, if required with an extremely fast and efficient gearshift. At the same time the automated Drive function is available offering rapid but smooth cruising.

SMG is activated either via the selector lever or through gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.

SMG Drivelogic gives the driver no less than 11 different driving programmes allowing them to individually adjust the gearshift characteristics of SMG to their preferred style of motoring. Six of the 11 programmes can be pre-selected within the manual gearshift functions (S-mode), allowing the driver to shift gears by hand according to their personal preferences. The only exception is the Launch Control function which offers maximum acceleration from a standing start. The gearshift functions required for this purpose are completed automatically by the gearbox at the ideal point and with optimum slip control. The remaining five programmes are automatic and found in D-mode.

‘M’ for maximum muscle Perfect interaction of the V10 power unit and seven-speed SMG gives the driver ultimate pleasure behind the wheel; acceleration from 0-100 km/h comes in 4.8 seconds with the standing-start kilometre completed in just 22.9 seconds. This supreme performance continues all the way to the car’s top speed limited electronically to 250 km/h.

Lap times on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring almost as fast as in the M6 Coupé confirm the supreme performance of its Convertible stable-mate.

Variable M Differential Lock and DSC with M Dynamic Mode The variable, speed-sensing M Differential Lock gives the M6 Convertible supreme driving stability and optimum traction especially when accelerating out of a bend. Even in the most demanding situations, therefore, the differential provides a decisive edge in traction, for example, with the drive wheels running on surfaces varying extremely in their frictional coefficient. In such cases the M Differential Lock immediately builds up growing locking force with an increasing difference in speed between the two drive wheels, thus maintaining the car’s traction and pulling forces at all times.

The M6 Convertible features the new generation of BMW Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). While the first stage of DSC is designed for maximum driving safety, the M Dynamic Mode is appreciated above all by the performance oriented driver.

Electronic Damper Control (EDC) offers three control programmes, each enabling the driver to set the suspension to the desired mode ranging from sporting and firm to comfortable.

The P400 performance programme is automatically activated as soon as the engine is started and as its name indicates offers immediate output of 400 hp output. By pressing the Power Button, the full power and dynamism of the ten-cylinder engine can be called up.

High-performance brakes Reflecting the cars outstanding performance, the M6 Convertible comes with a high-performance brake system featuring cross-drilled, weight-optimised compound brake discs. On the road, this means a stopping distance of just under 36 metres from 100 km/h and less than 140 metres from 200 km/h.

The two-stage brake display in the rear lights ensures extra safety and helps to prevent rear-end accidents; as soon as the driver applies the brakes hard, the illuminated area in the brake lights becomes larger than in a regular braking manoeuvre, indicating to motorists following to apply the brakes harder, too. A further safety feature is the very bright and fast-reacting LEDs in the bake lights not requiring any maintenance and free of wear.

Quality: the finest mix of materials The perfect balance of weight also contributes to the superior driving characteristics of the M6 Convertible.

Electronically controlled safety systems The seat belts on all four seats come with belt force limiters. The integrated restraint systems on the front seats also feature belt latch tensioners, with two-stage frontal and side airbags reducing the risk of injury. These safety components are controlled and masterminded by the Advanced Safety Electronics (ASE), a safety and information system exactly determining the intensity of a collision and activating the restraint systems quickly and precisely when they are required.

From Global Auto Index and other sources.