2006 BMW M6 Preview

M6 Boasts 507-HP V10 and 7-Speed SMG Transmission like M5

Returning to its roots, BMW's M division has resurrected the one car that started it all. OK, the M1 was the first, but being out of

To the delight of performance car enthusiasts around the world, BMW has officially released the 2005 M6. (Photo: BMW Canada)

reach for all but the very wealthy it was the high-performance version of the 6-Series coupe that transformed the letter "M" from merely one of 26 characters in the alphabet to one of the most desirable designations in the automotive business.

Destined to be a 2006 model when it arrives in North America. In one fell swoop the graceful 6-Series coupe has been morphed into one of the quickest performance cars on the planet.

Like the M5 sedan that it is based on, the M6 receives BMW's finest production performance motor to date, the 507-horsepower 5.0-liter V10 with 384 lb-ft of torque.

Inspired by technology used on

The M6 receives BMW's finest production performance motor to date, the 507-horsepower 5.0-liter V10. (Photo: BMW Canada)

the BMW-powered Williams Formula One car, the M6's engine features extensive use of lightweight, exotic metals and ultra-advanced engine management systems. With Double VANOS (variable valve timing), the engine redlines at a celestial 8,250 rpm, and achieves a specific output of 101.4 horsepower per liter.

The engine's power is directed to the rear wheels through a seven-speed sequential (SMG) manual gearbox that the driver can control by the shifter, or via steering wheel-mounted paddles. Like the M5, there are 11 pre-selected gear change programs, split between manual and automatic modes, which control the transmission's shift speed.