Road Test: BMW M6 Convertible

It’s a familiar enough shape, pretty much an M6 coupé without a roof, but we all know men can look somewhat effeminate in convertibles. “Do I put the roof down and get mistaken for an extra from Brokeback Mountain or will the restrained masculinity of the styling dispel any effeminate air?” asks Richard Webb.

BMW say this M6 is the fastest production BMW ever, even though it’s down two cylinders on the car it replaced, but then, add two turbochargers and the trade off becomes, well, more palatable. Admittedly, you miss that normally aspirated aural blast from the previous generations’ V10 lump, but the M6′s 4.4-litre M TwinPower Turbo V8 powerplant produces 412 kW at just 6 000 r/min with 680 Nm of torque.

Under that lithe skin lays a whole slew of performance related changes compared with the current 650i. The rear sub-frame is rigidly coupled to the chassis and a clever computer-controlled servo-motor adjusts clamping force to the limited-slip differential. The car is also clever at allowing drivers to adjust the behaviour of the car to their liking. Whilst other BMW’s use a simple rocker switch to collectively control the key adjustables, the M6′s adjustable chassis functions, shock damping, mapping of the throttle, transmission shift and steering are all independently adjustable.

At this point, it’s important to introduce the subject of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It’s is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something (compulsions). Often the person carries out the behaviors to get rid of the obsessive thoughts, but this only provides temporary relief. Not performing the obsessive rituals can cause great anxiety and so it is with the M6, as the number of options and permutations available in this car make it an OCD driver’s paradise. There is a way to simplify all this, though, by simply programming the two ‘M’ buttons on the steering wheel. They are effective, preset memory buttons for your favourite driving scenarios. OCD therapy in the making.

A drive through Bainskloof and Franschhoek Pass in the Western Cape soon confirms the M6’s inherent stability. There is no better place to allow OCD to have full reign, than to fiddle with the full suite of chassis adjustability. High-speed cruising is superb and is unfettered even by the EcoPro mode, which helps save fuel by severely damping throttle input and short shifting the gearbox.

With 265 mm front and 295 mm rear tyres, the M6 grips the tarmac tenaciously, but it takes a seasoned driver to keep the car pointing the right way with all of the traction control gizmos turned off (not recommended). Steering feel is sometimes a little vague, but this is easily made up for with the 6-piston callipered brakes, which are progressive and responsive.

The convertible top operates when the vehicle is moving at up to 40 km/h, thereby eliminating embarrassing attempts to lower the roof at traffic lights that go unexpectedly green. Once up, the roof offers near hardtop levels of hush. On the open road the 2012 BMW M6 Convertible is an arrogant amalgam of comfort and capability. Cruising along at 100 km/h it’s almost completely silent with the top up. Top down, the new M6 Convertible looks flipping marvelous. Roof up, however, and the M6 takes on a sinister countenance: Design elements that carry over from previous 6 Series convertibles include the roll-down rear window and flying buttress trailing edges of the soft convertible top itself.

This is no agile sports car though. Yes, it’s an immensely powerful car that turns in sharply and has crushing performance, but the sheer weight of it means its ambitions are those of a supremely composed grand tourer. Another nod toward this car’s GT nature is its engine note, which is softer than I’d like, especially in a convertible. There is a muted, but pleasant, off-throttle burble. Mind you, the high-end Bang & Olufsen surround sound system is utterly convincing.

The M6 is casual, easygoing and sexy with the top down, yet dangerous and rather devilishly appealing with the top up. It’s almost like having two different cars, but add in all the other adjustments available to the driver and the new M6 is more like a fleet of different cars. It’s not pretty, handsome, beautiful or gorgeous. It’s provocative, polished and powerful, very powerful. It’s the sort of car that has even the most honest accountant eyeing the client trust account in order to afford it.

The M6 Convertible does everything the lesser 6 Series does, but adds the potential for Inter Galactic soirees through the known universe. It is truly is a car for people who love driving and has been improved over its predecessor in every way. It is a perfect synthesis of performance and prestige. I reckon this R1 485 500 BMW M6 Convertible is without doubt the most masculine cabriolet in the world.

What we like…

• Two cars in one. Soft, comfortable cruiser and bruising GT convertible.
• Head-up display and all the ConnectedDrive compatibility.
• Smoldering good looks, yet restrained enough not to be too bling.

What we would like…

• A more endearing sports car sound track.
• A diesel engined M650D version.

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