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2007 BMW M6 Cabriolet Preview

Open-Topped Autobahn Bruiser

The Germans have always been very, very good at building ruthlessly quick cars. From the first Auto Union racers to the current crop of uber-cars from Audis, Mercedes, and BMWs respective tuner lines, theyve gained a reputation for manufacturing extremely fast yet reliable cars that exude engineering excellence. BMWs M branch is at the fore of that reputation, known for building the class dominating M3 sports coupe, and what has long been recognized as the ultimate sports sedan; the M5.
But they also produce a number of additional M cars, hardly the least of which is the M6. Based on the 6-Series but endowed with the M5s furious 500 horsepower V10, the M6 hasnt garnered as much press as its less shapely M-cousins for the simple fact that its up against stiffer competition and

The open-air M6 should be a more visceral experience than the coupe. (Photo: BMW North America)

therefore doesnt rate as highly. Comparatively, while the M5 goes up against (and beats) the Audi S6 and Mercedes Benz E55, the M6 must contend with slightly more challenging competition, such as the Corvette Z06, Mercedes Benz SL55, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and most importantly, the Porsche 911 Turbo. In numerous comparisons the M6 powertrain impresses its testers, but the heavy cars softer nature and too-technical nature has led many critics to proclaim it an uber-fast GT rather than an out and out sports car. So, if youre

Not wholly a sports car, not wholly a GT, the M6 exists between the two classes as an uber-fast and sporty GT. (Photo: BMW North America)

BMW, what do you do?

Well, you could fight back. Trim even more out of the 6-series carcass (although theyve already gone pretty far with the M6 coupes carbon fiber roof), firm up the suspension until its drumhead tight, and remove as many of the electronic wizards and nannies as you can bear to lose in what would probably be a vain attempt to dethrone the Porsche 911; or you can succumb to the fact that you built what could be considered one of the ultimate super-sporting GT cars.

Suffice it to say, they succumbed. For if they were

The M6 cabriolets top implements a retractable vertical window between the buttresses that solves the packaging problems of the long, sloping roofline. (Photo: BMW North America)

fighting the sports car battle, theyd never have introduced this dashing lad to their lineup: the M6 Cabriolet. Designed to offer the same draw as the M6 coupe albeit in a more spiritual open-top configuration, the convertible is a point of pride with the Teutonic Bavarian brand. Aiming for the same comfort level as any hard-top convertible, BMW began with a rubberized out layer, then opted to line it with polyurethane foam that provides greater sound deadening capabilities than the standard fleece lining. Next, they incorporated a flying buttress look into the rear pillars, and while the press release

With the top up, the M6 cabriolet looks arguably better than the coupe. (Photo: BMW North America)

uses terms like "innovative" to define the look, its reminiscent of the old Jaguar XJS, with its similar vertical back glass. Of course, while the XJS coupes buttresses and back glass were strictly styling cues, the BMWs shape is necessitated by the sloping roofline that would have required a massive piece of glass to form the back window, much like that found on coupe. So instead of trying to package such a bulky piece of glass or replacing it with low-rent plastic, BMWs engineers instead opted to make a retractable vertical back window that, when the top is up, serves as another way of getting fresh air into the cabin. And of course, since its glass, the back window also has a defroster built in for those cold winter mornings, plus

The rear air dam incorporates the licence plate and accounts for the M6s 5 centimeter longer length over the 6-series. (Photo: BMW North America)

youll never have to worry about it fading and cracking like you would a plastic window.
Beyond the top, the rest of the cabriolets body is pure M6, with the same flame-surfaced style thats garnered so much attention. Love it or hate it, the curvy, organic style is certainly noticeable, and in the M6s case, very slippery, having been designed with extensive time spent in the wind tunnel, perfecting the airflow over the body.

The low front air dam directs as much air as possible at the radiator, while the "flaps," or small spoiler lips on the front air dam, serve to reduce lift over the front axle, keeping the huge front tires in contact with the ground. Even the side view mirrors were designed with airflow in mind, and are actually downforce-producing

The interior is typical BMW, with lots of leather and a sensible dash layout. (Photo: BMW North America)

elements. Out back an air dam accounts for the M6s 2-inch longer overall length as compared to a regular 6-series. While it does decrease lift over the back axle, it also extends the car in profile while widely flared wheel arches make it appear wide. Without a roof, the M6 cabriolet looks even longer, lower, and wider than the already imposing coupe form. A small spoiler sits on the trunk lid, and the light units encased in the bumpers are moved upwards slightly to smooth out the airflow over them.

Additionally, when designing the cabriolet, BMWs engineers went back to the wind tunnel to design an effective wind deflector that can be raised to decrease airflow within the cockpit and make open air motoring a more enjoyable experience. Buyers also have the option of painting their M6 any regular 6-Series color, or rather choosing from five M-specific hues.

The cockpit is driver-focused, with even the center console being canted to the left for easier access. (Photo: BMW North America)

Inside, the M6 cabriolet sports the same comfortable interior as the M6 coupe with the only difference being that the cabriolet benefits from unlimited amounts of headroom. That means the cabriolet gets all the same soft leather surfaces the regular M6 gets, and BMW assures us the leather should have no trouble handling the elements, should it start to sprinkle before you put the top up (which, coincidentally, takes 25 seconds and can be done at speeds of up to 20 mph).

Buyers will choose from three standard leather colors; Black, Silverstone, and Sepang, while the roof may be ordered in Black or Basalt Grey on the outside, with the only headliner option being black; most likely thanks to the unique polyurethane foam. Opting for an enhanced leather option will allow buyers to add Indianapolis Red and Portland Natural Brown (we sense theres a theme in those color names) to their palette of selectable leathers,

With the top down the BMWs high sides put the occupant down and inside the vehicle, rather than atop it as in less sporting drop-tops. (Photo: BMW North America)

and will extend the leather coverage to include the instrument panel, A-pillars, upper windscreen panel, and even the upper roof locks (the standard leather interior covers the seats, steering wheel, center console, handbrake lever,  sun visors, door and rear side panels, and armrests).

The driver is the focus as in any BMW, and as such is faced with a plethora of switches and readouts. Most of the features the driver may need to access at any point on any journey are mounted on the steering wheel, and the result is one cluttered wheel. Those features not available via a steering wheel-mounted button can be accessed through BMWs infamous iDrive, meaning youre probably better off just making do without the feature in question, at least until you pull over to twist, pull, push, and click the selector knob at leisure. Thankfully, the instrument panel is blessedly simple, with the chrome-ringed tach and speedo flanking a few traditional sports car gauges as well as the sequential manual

The 5.0L V10 has won numerous awards, and benefits from such racing-inspired technology as individual throttle bodies. (Photo: BMW North America)

gearboxes current cog. Selecting the optional head up display projects all that relevant information on the windscreen, with the M6s HUD possessing both a standard readout and an M readout that emphasizes engine speed and offers an F1-inspired shift line informing the driver of the best time to shift for maximum thrust.

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