2018 BMW M6 Gran Coupe Review

When BMW put an M-badge on a car, you can rest assured it’s going to be something quite special. For those not wanting the hooligan status of the BMW M2, the popularity of the BMW M3 and the oddity of the M4 and the subtlety of the M5, there’s the option of the more grown up and sleek looking BMW M6. Thanks to the M-badge on the flanks and rear, the car is available with 560 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque from the TwinPower turbo V8 under the long, sloping hood while the interior is packed with technology and comfort with a helping of Motorsport.

Interior

As with most BMW models, there is are many ways to tailor the interior to suit varying tastes with custom design options like BMW Individual leather. Trim options also include trim options to match the leather like Piano Finish Black, Dark Red Sycamore Wood, and White Ash Grain Wood.

The seats up front are multi-power adjustable and are the definition of an executive sports seat and can be optioned with ventilation and heating. The rear seats have a bucket-like feel to them, and they can also be heated.

The steering multifunction steering wheel can be set just right and it controls everything, but deeper settings are accesses via the iDrive rotating knob in the center console that’s spaced perfectly to reach without issue.

Space at the rear is good, three can fit but two will be most comfortable, and taller people might have an issue with the sloping roofline, but otherwise the cabin is a very nice place to be seated.

Driving

Some BMW models are about the comfort, some are about the performance, but the BMW M6 Gran Coupe is about the driving experience as a whole. A selection of different drive modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport+) can be chosen to make the Gran Coupe perfect for the daily cruise, but when speed is needed, the other options can be selected to sharpen up the throttle response, steering response and suspension.

The launch control function lets you make use of all the horses under the hood to get off the line, and the other driver aids ensure the car stays in a straight line, without it the rear will try and come past and if you’re not ready for it things can go pear-shaped fast. The Dynamic Damper Control can also save two custom settings so you can have the perfect setup for the daily commute, but it can also be set to give stiff, precision handling, and along with a rear-axle subframe that’s bolted directly to the body the response is second to none.

Performance

Performance is what any car leaving the BMW Dingolfing plant is created for, and the BMW M6 Gran Coupe has plenty of it. Powering the M-car is a 4.4-liter V8 that’s assisted by two turbochargers located in the V of the engine as opposed to on the flanks, this equates in better response so that all of the 560 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque can be properly exploited.

There’s a Competition Package that adds in an extra 40 hp (and sharpens the steering even more), but at $7,000 it’s an expensive option. The M6 Gran Coupe is fitted with a superb 6-speed manual transmission as standard, but there is the option of a lightning-fast dual-clutch 7-speed automatic. Top speed is limited to 155 mph (189 mph with the Competition Package) and 0-60 mph is reached in less than 4-seconds.

Equipment & Safety

The BMW M6 Gran Coupe is well appointed, as you’d expect, and in typical BMW fashion some of the best features are optional, although most buying in this bracket won’t hesitate to have it all. The full color M head-up display shows all important driver information so there’s no need to look to the center console to look at the 10.2-inch screen that heads up the iDrive interface. Perfect for autobahn top speed runs.

Audio some from a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen system that’s set up to give all passengers the best listening experience, not just the driver thanks to patented Acoustic Lens Technology. You’ll also find features like an active driving assistant, active blind spot detection, night vision with pedestrian detection and parking assistance with surround cameras.

Verdict

If the need is performance while being able to cart the family around, then the BMW M6 Gran Coupe is the perfect choice. It’s decidedly upmarket, as you’d expect from a premium BMW model, but it has supercar-like performance thanks to the brilliant 4.4-liter TwinPower turbocharged V8.

Individual options are plentiful allowing customization that should be able to render the Gran Coupe completely unique, and a host of packages are on offer to make a great car even better.