As BMW’s M6 grabs the limelight ahead of its September debut, Munich’s development specialists have turned to its closest relations – the super-desirable M6 Convertible and the out-and-out range-topper, the M6 CSL.
The cloth-topped M6 will arrive first; it’s a safe bet to appear at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and be on UK roads next summer. In its finished form, the car will wear the same 19in alloy wheels and aero kit as the coupé, and use the same V10 engine and seven-speed sequential gearbox.However, the coupé’s signature carbonfibre roof will be replaced by multilayered folding canvas that stows electrically in 20sec, and at up to 20mph. Autocar’s sources suggest that the M6 Convertible could weigh 1900kg, compared with the coupé’s 1710kg. It’s likely to be tuned for a much less hardcore demeanor than the coupé, featuring slightly less aggressive suspension, gearbox and engine calibrations, and accelerating to 62mph in just over 5.0sec. Expect it cost around £85,000.
If your M6 has to be the fastest of the family, you’ll want to wait for the CSL, not due until 2007. The M-division is currently experimenting with a lightweight body and lower suspension set-up, and there are rumours of a 50bhp power boost for the car.
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