Geneva motor show 2012: New BMW M6

The BMW M6 has been unveiled at the Geneva motor show today. BMW claims it has achieved supercar-levels of performance and are BMW's fastest-ever two door cars.

With a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 producing 552bhp, they have a top speed of 189mph.

The new M6 range will reach UK showrooms in September. The coupé will cost £93,795, an increase of £6460 over its outgoing equivalent, and the convertible will be £98,995 (£6820 more).

See the first official pics of the new BMW M6

The latest M6 coupé and convertible are closely related to the recently introduced M5 saloon, sharing its potent twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine and seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. With 552bhp and 502lb ft of torque, the engine develops 52bhp and 122lb ft more than the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V10 of the previous-generation M6.

It has sufficient reserves, says BMW, to compensate for the increase in kerb weight to 1850kg (the previous M6 coupé weighed 1710kg) and to propel the fixed-head car from a standstill to 62mph in 4.2sec and to 124mph in 12.6sec

Drive is channelled to the rear wheels via M division’s active differential, as on the M5. In standard form, the M6 reaches a top speed limited to 155mph — or 189mph with the optional M Driver’s Package.

The performance of the new 1980kg M6 convertible (50kg heavier than before) is no less impressive. It posts official times of 4.3sec for 0-62mph and 13.1sec for 0-124mph, together with the same top speed as the coupé.

The improved performance is allied to reduced fuel consumption, which is rated at 28.5mpg in the coupé and 27.4mpg in the convertible. These figures are backed by average CO2 emissions of 232g/km for the coupé and 239g/km for the cabrio.

Exterior changes compared with a regular 6-series are largely functional and aimed, for the most part, at providing sufficient cooling air for the engine. They include a deep front spoiler, widened front wings, a unique front grille, a prominent diffuser, signature quad exhausts and 19in alloy wheels shod with 265/40 R19 tyres at the front and 295/35 R19s at the rear.

BMW has implemented a series of weight-saving measures designed to offset the M6’s increased dimensions, higher standard equipment levels and more substantial rear seats. These include a clear lacquered CFRP (carbonfibre-reinforced plastic) roof for the M6 coupé, together with aluminium-skinned doors and bonnet, composite plastic front wings and a glassfibre composite boot lid for both models.

Underpinning the new M6s is a heavily reworked version of the standard 6-series’ double wishbone (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension, with track widths shared with the M5 saloon and unique dampers, springs and bushing.