2006 BMW M6 Maryland

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On the day of our only chance to sample the 2006 BMW M6, it rained. It absolutely poured, in fact. The streets were awash, the track was damp, and the sky was gloomy and threatening. There was even hail. It was just the thing to ensure a stress-free day driving a 500 horsepower, $100,000 car that didn't belong to us.

The fact that it was not actually a bad day is testament to the M6' all-around athleticism. BMW's M division has been producing some of the world's most respected performance cars for almost three decades now, and the M6 is the latest fruit of this skunkworks' labors. This car is designed to excel not just on the track, but anywhere that your oil-pumping, driving-enthusiast heart happens to take you. That includes twisty roads during a downpour.

The M6 has a breathtaking look; the sublime edges of the 650i seem tighter and more athletic thanks to stronger side sculpting and unique darker trim. 19-inch wheels show off brake rotors that are as big as the tires of some cars. At the rear, a redesigned lower valance houses quad exhaust pipes. Sharp eyes will note the contrasting-colored roof, which isn't actually painted; the M6 sports a lightweight carbon-fiber roof panel, to help lower the car's center of gravity and shave a few more pounds, as do a plastic trunklid and fenders. It's not obvious to a casual onlooker, and that's all in keeping with the Q-ship mien of an M product.

You can't make a performance splash these days without big, big power, and the M6 delivers happily on this front. Under the latest M car's hood is the 5.0 liter V10 engine that debuted in the monstrous M5 earlier this year. A flex of the ankle unleashes 500 horses on the unsuspecting road. The V10 is a rev-monster, and makes its power when it's spinning like a race engine. Eschewing BMW's Valvetronic system, the M6 uses race-derived hydraulic lifters designed for high-rpm performance. Thanks to a mellow exhaust note that turns to a snarl as the power builds, the M6 sounds good, too. Power is delivered to the road via a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG) similar to that found in other BMW products. A true manual transmission would have pleased our purist's heart more than the SMG, of course--the auto-manual may run the numbers quicker, but a true manual transmission is more adept at stirring the soul. Then again, this car would probably be a bit of a handful with a stick, so there's that to consider as well. The SMG's built-in Launch Control helps to keep the M6 civilized around town, as does a variable differential lock that prevents unnecessary wheelspin.

The M6's massive power is balanced by responsive handling and augmented by a bunch of electronic driving aids. To keep the unnecessary weight down and the necessary poundage in the right places, the chassis and suspension are all-aluminum. Compared to the 650i, the M6 has a slightly wider track, stronger suspension bushings and lightened half-shafts. Cross-drilled brake rotors are designed to reduce unsprung weight, and the payoff comes in lighting-quick reflexes that are nothing short of amazing in a car this size. The Sensotronic variable power steering's response to sudden inputs is great, and the M6 stays composed even when the road is slick. Electronic damper control is used on the shocks. The adjustable suspension allows a bit of slip when it's needed, and BMW's Dynamic Stability Control system has been recalibrated specifically to provide more enthusiast-friendly responses. The suspension is stiff without being harsh. Like the M3, this coupe always stays in communication with the driver. Those monster brakes will haul this car to a stop in aneurysm-inducing time thanks to fourteen-inch rotors.

And for all that capability, it's civilized. It takes a special sort of maniac to drive a Dodge Viper every day, but the M6 harnesses the same power in a mellow enough package to cruise without undue vigilance. Part of the secret is a vehicle dynamic computer with a split personality. With the touch of a button, the M6's throttle response, suspension damping and even engine power can be adjusted to one of three levels. This isn't a fuel-saving cylinder shutoff, but a simple engine tweak that allows the V10 to scale its output back to 400 horsepower. When the engine is in full-sport mode on the road, the suspension actually remains soft, to soak up the irregularities of a public road. Rock-hard settings are saved for the track. It works nicely, and the M6 hugs the road confidently without resorting to the buckboard ride of a track car.

It works well. During our waterlogged drive, the big wheels never washed out on the wet pavement. The M6 always felt poised, even without all-wheel drive. As gloomy as it was outdoors, we were always comfortable inside, where the M6 sports a choice of handsome blond Olive Carrara or darker Walnut Madeira wood on the dash and a multi-layered instrument panel whose contours match those of the exterior. The suede headliner and iDrive are shared with the 650i; the subtle red and blue stitching that matches the M badge on the steering wheel, sport seats and 200-mph speedometer are not. The rear seat is a glorified package shelf, and best treated as such. A navigation system and premium sound are also standard. A cool head-up display projects the M6' vitals on the windshield for the driver.

Considering the M6' performance capabilities, luxury and of course the 500 horsepower, names like Porsche and Ferrari were bandied about when considering what it might compete with. They stayed there when the sticker price came down; the M6 we drove stickered for $106,390. That's a starting price of $96,100, plus the head-up display, satellite radio, Merino leather and a gas guzzler tax. Ferrari and Porsche buyers are no doubt familiar with that many digits on the bottom line, but a 500-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is not much more than half the cost of the M6.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2006 BMW M6.
Length: 191.8 in.
Width: 73.0 in.
Height: 54.0 in.
Wheelbase: 109.5 in.
Curb weight: 3909 lb.
Cargo space: 13.0 cu.ft.
Base price: $96,100
Price as tested: $106,390
Engine: 5.0 liter DOHC 40-valve V10
Drivetrain: seven-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive
Horsepower: 500 @ 7750
Torque: 383 @ 6100
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
Est. mileage: 12/18