2014 BMW M6 Review

Just like it’s hard to concentrate on the meeting when your colleague is dangling her shoe in the corner, you can’t just look at the BMW M6 Coupe. You have to start with its CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) roof. Sure, the E63 M6 also had one, but now they’ve shaped it into a nice twin bubble form that even sets it apart from the current F10 BMW M5.

By the way, the CFRP roof is about 50 percent lighter than a steel one, or 30 percent if we’re talking about aluminum. We’re hearing some “low center of gravity” cheers in the crowd. Nevertheless, it’s time to step away from the M6 now and look at the overall picture.

BMW has had its styling ups and downs over the last decade or so. There are still a few hidden traces of the troubled times on the 6 Series’ face. Perhaps it’s just us, but we would’ve liked the design to be a bit more imposing. Well, that’s exactly what the M6 brings.

It all goes down to the little details - notice those kidney grilles: their double-spoke design is there to match that of the rims. Even the M5 has borrowed this with the recent LCI (facelift in Bimmer language).

These grilles are flanked by LED headlights. We’ve also had such a feature on the 650i xDrive we drove a while ago, but here this comes as standard in Europe.

The BMW M6’s tracks are 1.2 inches (30 mm) wider compared to the 6 Series, so they had to bring more pronounced wheel arches. And the characteristic M gills couldn’t miss from the front fenders. These match the kidney grille’s M6 emblem by displaying M logos.

Moving to the rear and past the obvious boot lid spoiler, we find that the reflectors have moved from the apron to a position just below the LED taillights. As for the bumper itself, this accommodates a diffuser element, as well as typical quad tailpipes. Take these as a declaration of war to the other drivers.

However, once you climb aboard, you won’t think about battles. Open the door and you’ll notice that the atmosphere in the BMW M6 Coupe is relaxed.

We’ve just entered the M6 and the first thing that reminds us we’re not in a regular 6 Series is the pair of brilliant seats. Whether you go for the standard or the optional ones, you’ll receive some of the most comfortable units BMW has ever produced.

These are perfectly suited to long trips and BMW has even come up with a special feature for that. There’s an optional active function that gently moves the seat surface around so that you don’t experience fatigue on longer journeys. The system really does manage to fool you, as you never quite feel it working, but its effects are there.

Coupled with the Head-Up Display, this really boosts the M6’s ability to keep you in shape during long trips. Mind you, the M mode of the HUD can bring a pretty large, colorful area to your attention and this seemed to take some of our attention from the road at times.

We’d also complain that the M steering wheel is a bit too much on the thick side for our taste, but that isn’t necessarily related to the M6 - you can have this as an option on the normal 6 Series.