2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Many fans of the sporty M-brand from BMW were expecting a new 3-series version. With the M6 Cabriolet, however, the consolation is quite generous.
By Stefan Grundhoff
The Munich Muckibude called M-GmbH has struck again. If many had already hoped for the new M3, they will have to wait until next autumn. The consolation can be seen. Fresh for the winter season, the M6 is also available as a convertible - in gleaming snow-white.
California main market
If the M5 is too familiar, the M3 too tight and the M6 too unspectacular, you can be happy - provided you live in the sunny state of California. This will probably be the main market for the wildly rumbling convertible power man. In Germany, too, the open temptation comes on the market at the end of October - at least 116,300 euros expensive and with an appearance that makes the sporty competition from Jaguar XKR, Porsche 911 Turbo and Mercedes SL 55 AMG tremble.
At least nominally, because the ten-cylinder known from the M5 is also an outstanding line-up in open Bavaria. 373 kW / 507 PS - at best a 63 AMG can keep up with that. Plus the third-generation SMG sports transmission and impressive high-speed tires. Nevertheless, the two-tonne rear-wheel drive car has to let the competition pass by on the left. The electronic 250 lock will only be canceled for an extra charge of 2,350 euros. For this there is at least a Tempo 305 and a race track training, in fact the gun license for the 2 + 2-seater.
Slow operation of the soft top
0 to 100 km / h in 4.8 seconds is impressive, but 520 Nm maximum torque can no longer pull you out of your seat in the age of power diesels. However, this applies to consumption. The promised 15.2 liter SuperPlus per 100 kilometers can only be achieved at steady country road speed. Anyone who lets themselves be captivated by the sex of the ten-cylinder and listens to the powerful sound over 6,000 tours can calculate with an average of well over 20 liters per 100 kilometers.
The surcharge for the magnificent 650i Cabriolet is at least 30,000 euros. And as is well known, you don't have to hide with that either. Some of the engine power could have been diverted for the fully electric soft top. The hat is opened and closed in slow motion - at least even when driving slowly at up to 30 km / h.
Cutbacks in the automatic
In addition to the ten-cylinder, which is derived from racing, there are 19-inch forged wheels, xenon lights, the SMG gearbox and sports seats which, given their potential, would have provided a little more lateral support. The unit, brakes, chassis and steering are beyond any doubt and set standards among open sports coupes.
However, the seven-speed SMG sports transmission is not quite convincing, as it does not really fit in with a 500 PS joker, especially in automatic mode. Here, the 4.87 meter long bolide runs too low-revving and so at least subjectively appears too unwilling. One press of the gas pedal and all doubts about a suspected displeasure of the Bavarian are gone. The driver and passengers are pressed into their seats so that even a NASA pilot would be afraid. The M6 - whether open or closed - loves speed orgies from which it no longer wants to climb down.
Eleven driving configurations
The focus is always on the easy to read instruments and the handy steering. Anyone who wants can intervene in the gear changes at any time using the steering wheel paddles. A switch on the center tunnel can even be used to adjust the speed of gear changes. Apart from the racetrack, nobody needs to explain to their passengers in a nice way what the many switches around the SMG stick are for. A total of eleven driving configurations are available. That's enough for an evening of great entertainment and amazed faces.
To ensure that the M6 Cabriolet also works with the fine weather, BMW has upgraded its online service. For 175 euros per year you have access to numerous sources of information. Among other things, you can call up directly from the on-board menu whether it remains dry or whether you should close the dark fabric roof as much as possible. Then nothing can go wrong with the next hot ride on the wild four-seater. Warning - potentially addictive. Straight topless.
