New BMW M6 Convertible in Depth

Press Release

Page 1: Short Version
Page 2: Design
Page 3: Drivetrain
Page 4: Chassis
Page 5: Safety
Page 6: Equipment
Page 7: Specifications

• Fin-structure roof with coupé-like silhouette and unique glass rear window

• Refined and insulated triple-layered soft-top

• Unique bodywork for improved aerodynamic flow and engine cooling

• Intelligent use of lightweight materials

• The largest boot capacity in segment at 350 litres

BMW’s stunning new convertible literally lifts the lid on M6 dynamics. Lightweight technologies and innovative materials combine with the latest convertible roof design to deliver M6 Coupé performance, roof up or down.

Exterior styling

The new BMW M6 Convertible features key design characteristics seen on nearly every BMW of the last 30 years: double kidney grille; dual headlights with corona rings and Hofmeister-kink on the C-pillar. In addition, as the latest in the line of recently launched M cars, it also features dramatic front and rear styling, 19-inch M light alloy wheels and BMW M’s trademark pair of twin exhaust pipes.

The 507hp open-topped supercar’s form has been inspired by its performance capabilities. Engineers and designers worked together to ensure the efficient and rapid supply and extraction of cool air, balanced with a head-turning design that slips through the air with the minimum of drag.

Frontal impact

At the front, the low spoiler and front bumper features a large air intake to maximise the supply of cool air for optimum engine cooling and aerodynamic efficiency. From this duct, the airflow is directed through a bespoke cooling system with the radiator split in two for packaging purposes. Compared to a ‘standard’ 6 Series Convertible, the M6 variant also features additional air intakes in place of the front fog lights. These separate cooling ducts direct airflow to the cross-drilled and ventilated disc brakes. The shape of the lower side of the valance has also been designed to reduce lift forces on the front axle.

Coupé profile

From the side, the silhouette of the M6 Convertible is clearly based on the M6 Coupé. From the shoulder line down the profile is the same, while the unique fin-structure roof defines the Convertible as its own model yet one that retains a Coupé-like profile. The front wings are flared to accommodate the same 19-inch five double-spoke alloy wheels used on the BMW M6 Coupé. Weighing nearly 2kgs less than a conventional light-alloy wheel, these rims are shod with 255/40 ZR 19 tyres at the front and 285/35 ZR 19 tyres at the rear. When compared to a ‘standard’ 6 Series Convertible the side sills of the M6 Convertible have been re-sculptured to improve the car’s aerodynamic efficiency, particularly on the underside. Even the wing mirrors have been shaped to provide downforce and keep the car planted on the road.

Motorsport rear

At the rear, a diffuser ensures smooth-exiting airflow for improved downforce and enhanced aerodynamics. Such an arrangement also allows a flow of cool air over the M Variable differential while keeping drag and lift forces in check. Four chrome exhaust pipes finish the car with an emotive M ‘signature’ – a perspective of the M6 Convertible that drivers of competitor cars will see a lot of.

The subtle restyling of the car sees the M6 Convertible marginally lengthened compared to other 6 Series Convertibles. Measuring 4,871mm long, the car is 5cms longer than a BMW 650i Convertible. The height of 1,377mm and width of 1,855mm, gives the BMW M6 Convertible an elegantly long, yet purposeful, look.

Fin Structure Roof

To give the M6 Convertible its coupe-like silhouette, it retains the roof developed by the 6 Series design team. A unique soft-top roof that features two rear fin structure buttresses. With the long hood needed to cover the spacious 2+2 passenger compartment, these fins provide the soft-top with strong support while also permitting the designers to retain the classic 6 Series Coupé profile. The inherent strength of the C-pillar-positioned buttresses renders a tightening bar superfluous and also allows the rear window to remain independent of the roof. A unique function that allows increased ventilation the roof up, extra wind protection with the roof down and better visibility than a ‘normal’ sloping rear window.

For optimum noise and heat insulation, the triple layer hood of the M6 Convertible contains a middle layer consisting of polyurethane (PUR) foam. This fabric ‘sandwich’ results in nearly the same high standards of acoustics and thermal insulation as a folding hard-top or fixed-head coupé. Compared to a soft-top hood without a triple layer construction wind noise is reduced by up to 3 decibels. When stowed, the hood sits below a watertight, dust-proof Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) cover that fits flush with the rear bodywork. SMC is a synthetic duroplastic material that is not only strong but also saves weight.

Another added benefit of a fabric hood is that it retains a very flexible packaging concept. Unlike competitor systems with folding hard-tops that use up valuable boot space, the stowage system on an M6 Convertible retains an impressive luggage capacity of 300 litres with the roof down. With the hood closed and the hood storage compartment stowed away, this increases to a class-leading 350 litres. A folding metal roof would also weigh substantially more than the M6 Convertible’s roof.

The M6 Convertible’s roof can also be opened at speed ensuring the driver isn’t left stranded in a rain shower or at the traffic lights. Once initiated the roof mechanism continues to operate at up to 20mph allowing the driver to pull away if the lights change. Should the driver exceed this speed limit a warning signal reminds the driver and the roof mechanism halts its operation until the speed drops below 20mph.

The M6 Convertible fin-structure roof is complemented by a fully independent and retractable vertical rear window that offers better visibility than the large, sloping window of other convertible cars. Using the control panel on the driver’s door, all four windows and the rear screen can be simultaneously dropped at the touch of a button. With the hood down the window operation is reversed to offer open-air motoring but without any excessive wind intrusion.

The M6 Convertible is offered with an optional wind deflector for use when driving without rear seat passengers. This can be stored in the luggage department when not in use.

Lightweight intelligent construction

The intelligent use of lightweight materials contributes to the M6 Convertible’s 50:50 weight distribution for optimal dynamic balance and on-road agility. A bodyshell of steel and lightweight aluminium combines strength and weight-saving. Aluminium alloy housings support the front axle dampers and coil springs, while the doors and bonnet are made from the lightweight metal.

The car is fitted with thermoplastic front wings, which are lighter than aluminium. Aside from the weight saving these front wings are better able to absorb minor bumps, which improves the car’s pedestrian safety rating. In total, the front structure of the car is approximately 45kgs lighter than a comparable steel structure.

The boot lid is made from SMC and incorporates a subtle spoiler. The boot lid and integral spoiler saves weight and facilitates the incorporation of the integral telephone / navigation / radio aerial.

The front and rear bumpers are manufactured from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic and manufactured at BMW’s Landshut plant, north of Munich. In the manufacturing process individual layers of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic are laminated on a core segment cast in resin. When hardened the core is removed to leave an extremely strong, but light, hollow structure.

Finally, the underbody coverings are made from Superlite, a high quality and very durable plastic – again a weight saving measure that is without compromise.

Built at BMW’s Dingolfing Plant, the largest facility within the BMW Group’s network of 23 production plants, the BMW M6 Convertible makes use of the latest car construction techniques. Special insulating glue has been developed for bonding steel and aluminium. New technologies introduced on the Dingolfing production line also allow welding robots to intelligently select either spot welding or MAG (Metal Active Gas) welding tools. Likewise, where soldering is required, robots can choose within fractions of a second whether MIG (metal inert gas) soldering or laser-soldering is more appropriate. Various sensors monitor the MAG and MIG welding and soldering processes and also determine when further spot welding or laser soldering actions are required.

Intelligent weight distribution

The battery and fuel tank of an M6 Convertible sit low in the body of the car for optimum weight distribution and a low centre of gravity. The 70-litre plastic fuel tank is located in front of the rear axle and a jet pump and pressure-controlled dual pump ensure a reliable fuel supply even under high longitudinal and lateral acceleration. The battery is located in the floor of the boot for optimum packaging and weight distribution.

Bespoke bodywork hues

Four exclusive metallic paints – Sepang Bronze, Silverstone II, Indianapolis Red and Interlagos Blue – are available on the M6 Convertible. Other colours available include Alpine White, Black Sapphire metallic, Silver-grey metallic, Monaco Blue, Stratus Grey plus various BMW Individual colour choices.

Interior

At the wheel of a BMW M6 Convertible the driver is cocooned in a sporty, yet comfortable, cockpit. The extended leather upholstery in exclusive Merino leather is available in three colour options – Black, Silverstone II and Light Sepang Bronze. This ‘standard’ leather interior finish is fitted to the centre of the instrument panel, the centre console, the handbrake lever gaiter, armrests and seats. In the rear, the side panels are also finished in Merino leather.

Full Merino trim is available for further personalisation of the interior and is offered in five colours (Indianapolis Red and Portland Natural Brown added to the standard colours). The Full Merino trim option offers further leather adorning the instrument panel, centre console, door lining and rear side panels while alcantara-anthracite roof lining is also specified.

Easy access

Being a classic 2+2 the new BMW M6 Convertible offers sufficient room in its rear bucket seats for two adults on shorter journeys or two children on cross-continent cruises. The twin, deeply contoured rear leather seats are separated by a seat cushion to offer sound lateral support. Climbing in and out of the back is made particularly easy thanks to BMW’s Easy Access system. With this system the front seats both tip and slide forward whilst the front seat belts are also integrated with the seat backrests, ensuring nothing impedes access. A Check Control message and warning sound is triggered if the backrests haven’t returned to their correct position when the car is started.

Information at the driver’s finger tips

A new design of speedometer and rev counter feature on the M6 Convertible. Round black dials incorporate white numerals and traditional M red needles while a white corona-ring surrounding the dials is permanently illuminated in common with all recent M cars.

Another M feature to safeguard against engine wear is the tachometer display featuring a yellow pre-warning and a red warning field that inform the driver of the recommended engine speed depending upon current oil temperature. As the oil temperature rises the available speed range increases allowing the driver to observe the optimum engine warm-up routine. This arrangement is reflected in the rev range display within Head-up Display (HUD) and works as a simple indicator to let the driver know when the engine is warm enough for full throttle inputs (see the Safety section).

Aural pleasure inside and out

When not listening to the soundtrack of the 5.0-litre V10 engine, customers can listen to the latest MP3 technology. A CD formatted in the MP3 format can store in the region of 160 tracks and, when used in conjunction with a six-disc CD changer, offers the possibility of a 1000+ song catalogue at the behest of the owner.

For the best in a sound quality the award-winning LOGIC 7 Professional system is standard on a BMW M6 Convertible. LOGIC 7 works by breaking sound down into seven separate waves and then reconstructing them for optimum quality. A digital 10-channel audio amplifier and sound processor combined with 11 speakers give those sat inside the fullest and clearest of sounds from any music system currently offered by a car manufacturer.

The BMW M6 Convertible can come with the capability to receive Digital Audio Broadcasts (DAB) for the optimum in radio clarity. Courtesy of a connection kit, owners can also play music from an MP3 player such as an Apple iPod via the auxiliary socket.

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