BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe M6 4dr Car Review - May 2013

The BMW M6 Gran Coupe has a 4.4-litre, 32-valve, V8 petrol engine which produces a massive 560 bhp and 501lb-ft of torque at between 1500 and 5750rpm. It can reach 62mph from a standing start in just 4.2 seconds, and will go all the way up to 155mph.

Surprisingly, given its billing as the more luxurious option in the 6 Series range, the M6 delivers arguably the most responsive and engaging ride of all. The 6 Series as a whole can suffer from an overly-complicated and unsettled suspension, but the handling characteristics of the M6 Gran Coupe offer a far more balanced ride. The tendency towards understeer that besets the 6 Series is also largely resolved in the M6.

The interior shares many characteristics with other contemporary BMW models, giving a comfortable and ergonomic driving position within a well-made environment.

The BMW M6 Gran Coupe shares many styling characteristics with the rest of the 6 Series range but in a more practical, but no less stylish, 4-door Coupe body style. The standard equipment list in the BMW M6 Gran Coupe is extensive, as befitting a car of its class and price range. Power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front and rear windows, metallic paint, cruise control, rear parking sensor, leather seats, driver airbag, passenger airbag, front side airbag, alarm, immobiliser, CD player, bluetooth, MP3 connectivity, and satellite navigation all come as standard features of the M6 Gran Coupe.

Inside the BMW M6 Gran Coupe’s well-appointed and solidly-built interior there is ample head and leg room both front and rear, and even with average sized adults sitting the rear the front seat occupants will be only slightly compromised. The 4-door body style has been achieved without the loss of boot capacity, with the M6 Gran Coupe boasting the same 460 litre boot as its 2-door sibling. The standard split-folding rear seats see this figure expand to 1265 litres with the seats fully lowered. The inside of the BMW M6 Gran Coupe gives off an air of solidity, and occupants will find the plethora of airbags a reassuring feature, while owners will get peace of mind from and unlimited mileage, 3-year manufacturers warranty as standard.

The BMW M6 Gran Coupe costs £97,490, and with the level of performance offered by the car the running costs are similarly considerable. That said, for a car of its size and performance, a combined fuel economy figure of 28.5 mpg seems reasonable, although of more concern is the CO2 emissions figures of 232g/km. This sees the BMW M6 Gran Coupe fall into Road Tax Band L, and also factor in the car’s insurance grouping of 50 when considering making the purchase. Those running costs are near-identical to those of the M5 4-door saloon. However, the M5 is almost £25,000 less to buy, and will be less susceptible to depreciation on the used market than the M6 as a result.