| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The BMW 6-Series began its life back in 1976 with the E24 6 Series and saw its second generation unfold in 2003 with the E63/E64 6 Series. This generation 6-Series was powered by a 3.0L inline-six engine (petrol and diesel), a 4.8L V8, and a 5.0L V10 BMW M6 engine. These engines were mated to a choice of a six-speed manual or automatic, and a seven-speed SMGIII. The third generation of the 6-Series is nearing with the first model appearing as the 650i Convertible. The vehicle will be powered by two gas engines: a 6 cylinder twin turbo engine producing 320hp at 5800rpm and a V8 twin turbo engine producing 407hp at 5500 rpm. 2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe by Hamann 
In April 2012, German tuner Hamann released their program for the new BMW 6-Series, a car that has been a fixation of ours for quite some time now. But as it turns out, Hamann’s got more up its sleeve with a teaser photo of their latest offering, this time for the 6-Series Gran Coupe. Nothing much in the way of details have been revealed, but look for some significant modifications from the people who know what it takes to build some serious programs for their cars. Judging from the picture, there appears to be a slew of new components added into the car, including revised bumpers, new side skirts, a boot lid wing, an unmistakable Hamann bonnet, and a new set of Hamann wheels. Performance modifications - if there are any - are still being kept under wraps so we’ll have to wait for more details on whether Hamann has improvements for the 6-Series Gran Coupe’s 445-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 engine. Looking at what Hamann showed us, though, we have to say that the components look mighty impressive, to say the least. UPDATE 12/10/12: Hamann has released a new batch of photos of their 6er Gran Coupe F06 program. Check ’em out in the gallery below! 2013 BMW 6-series Gran Coupe by AC SchnitzerThe new generation BMW 6-Series already caught AC Schnitzer’s attention in the tuning world, so it was to be expected that the company would also work its magic on the Gran Coupe version. The package announced by the German tuner includes a pretty cool exterior kit, as well as a 40 HP power increase for the 640i version and 47 HP increase for the 640d version. The exterior kit includes a new front spoiler, a chromed front grille with a chrome strip, a rear skirt extension, and rear skirt protective film, as well as a new set of lightweight forged alloy wheels available in both 19" or 20" sizes. For the interior, the model has received a pretty cool "Black Line“ aluminum cover for the i-Drive system controller, aluminum footrests and pedals, and velour floor mats. In order to obtain the extra power, AC Schnitzer is offering ECU upgrades, plus a new twin sports rear silencer with chromed "Sports Trim“ tailpipes. As a result, the output for the 640d went from 313 HP to 360 HP and the 640i went from 320 HP to 360 HP. In order to handle the extra power, the 6-Series Gran Coupe also received an 8-piston high performance brake system for the front which includes 8-piston fixed calipers (left/right), an 8-piece set of brake pads, and brake caliper holders. 2013 BMW 650i
The top version for the new BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe is the 650i, which is powered by a 4.4-liter V-8 engine that delivers a total of 445 HP between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm and 480 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm. Drop down to the standard 6-Series and that top version 650i gets the same engine, but with only 400 HP. Although completely legit considering the variations between the two models, this difference in power is about to get smaller. For the 2013 model year, BMW is working on updating the standard 650i in order to put it at same level as the 650i Gran Coupe. The model will maintain the current 4.4 liter V8 engine, but will be equipped with BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve timing system that will boost the engine’s output to match the Gran Coupe, meaning it will have a total of 445 HP and 480 lbs-ft. BMW will also be offering an automatic engine stop-start with a selectable Eco Pro driving mode that will help improve fuel economy. Expect the new BMW 650i to be put on sale by the end of 2012.
U.S. Bound 550i and 650i Getting a Power Boost for 2013 BMW had already announced to its European buyers that the 5- and 6-Series cars would be getting a power boost, but left out us folks in the U.S. Well, that didn’t last too long, as BMW has formally announced that U.S.-spec 5- and 6-Series models will be getting a healthy boost in the power department too. The models that are getting the boost will all come in the 2013 model year and they include the 550i, 550i GT, 650i coupe, and 650i convertible. The overall size of the engine in these models will remain at the same 4.4-liters, but the addition of BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve timing is what gives this twin-turbo engine the extra punch it needs. This extra punch will be a noticeable one too, as the gains are pretty significant. In 2012, the 4.4-liter V-8 pumped out a respectable 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The 2013 models will boast 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, which, barring any significant weight gain, should increase overall performance in a noticeable manner. The lower level 5- and 6-Series models - the 640i, 528i and 535i - all look like they’ll carryover with their existing power plants. We’ll keep you updated if any more updates come down the line regarding the 2013 5- and 6-Series cars. We will also keep an eye on whether BMW decides to upgrade all of its V-8-powered models to this new and improved 4.4-liter.
2013 BMW M6 by Lumma Design
With 560 HP under the hood, the new generation BMW M6 is undoubtedly a car that gets a lot of attention. Now, German tuner Lumma Design is adding yet another tuning package to the list. This is just a preview of what’s to come, though. The full package will be unveiled at the end of 2012 and comes with modifications to the exterior and interior of the sports car. Lumma Design started the package by offering a complete aerodynamics kit, including a front spoiler and large air inlets, carbon fiber engine housing, wheel arch extensions to the front and the rear, and a rear diffuser with a central double-pipe exhaust. There is also a new set of wheels, size 10x21," on the front axle and 12.5x21" on the rear axle. As for the interior, Lumma Design allows its customers to do with it as they wish. They offer plenty of color options to choose from and lots of materials like leather, alcantara, and carbon fiber.
Your Wish is BMW’s Command, M6 to Get a Manual Transmission Option In recent years we have all seen three pedal setups going the way of the three-on-the-tree gear shifter, as automakers have pretty much perfected the automatic transmission. Even those looking to save a few bucks in gas don’t even have to opt for the manual transmission anymore, as the difference between the two is negligible and sometimes automatics are even more efficient than their manual counterparts. The thing is that some people – myself included – just like the feeling of control we have over the car when shifting a manual transmission and no dual-clutch, paddle-shit auto can fulfill our control-freak ways. This became a bit of a problem when BMW decided it was time to bring the M6 back to the States, as our European friends are just fine with its dual-clutch 7-speed automatic and BMW had no need to fit it with a manual. This brought some concern to those looking to snatch up the M6 the second it hits U.S. showrooms. Well, it looks like BMW still pays a significant attention to its American market, as according to reports, there will be a 6-speed manual option on the America-bound BMW M6. There is a little uncertainty as to whether it will make it in time to be on the 2013 model year or if we’ll have to wait for the 2014 model year to see the 6-speed gearbox. We’re willing to put a dollar on the fact that it will indeed make it into the 2013 model year, as BMW does not want to lose a portion of its 2013 M6 sales to us three-pedal connoisseurs. Either way, we are happy to see the M6 returning, goofy engine sound effects and all, but we really want to feel that 560 horsepower as we slam through the six gears. We’ll update you the second we get confirmation on what model year will get the manual option.
2012 BMW M6 Coupe MotoGP Safety Car
In 2006, BMW’s M division formed a partnership to provide the official safety cars for the MotoGP championship. Last year, a BMW 1-Series M Coupe was the official safety car at the Indianapolis MotoGP, but this year this role will be reserved for the brand new BMW M6 Coupe. The new BMW M6 Safety Car will make its first public debut during this weekend’s (May 19-20, 2012) Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race in Germany, a warm up for the upcoming M Festival’s M Corso event. BMW hasn’t revealed any details on their brand new M6 Coupe Safety Car, but we believe it will get the same treatment as all the previous safety models. This treatment will include plenty of carbon fiber elements to make it lighter, an adjustable rear wing for improved downforce, a rollover cage, and new front racing bucket seats. There will also be a special exterior finish and lots of LED lights. More details about the new M6 Coupe MotoGP Safety Car will be revealed during the weekend. Stay tuned! 2012 BMW 650i "Shadow Walker" by SR Auto Group
We’ve said this countless times on these pages, but it’s still worth repeating: we love it when a car is dressed in a matte black paint finish. Even more so if the car in question comes with the kind of fantastic styling exhibited by the new 2012 BMW 650i Coupe. And so, like a prayer from the heavens, one of our favorite tuners decided to dress up the top-of-the-line 6-Series in matte black - to go with other styling enhancements - before giving a nickname befitting its new look: Shadow Walker. To enhance the stylish two-tone exterior of the Shadow Walker, SR Auto Group combined the gloss black faces on the sports saloon with matte black inserts, resulting in a look that can only be described by our open-eyed stuttering upon seeing the photos of the car. SR Auto Group rounded out the exterior upheaval with a new set of 20" bespoke Niche wheels, further adding a beyond ridiculous, stealthy black look to the 650i Coupe. More modifications are expected to be offered, but we couldn’t keep these photos of the Shadow Walker away from you. Chances are, it’s going to be somebody’s wallpaper pretty soon. 2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe by Hartge
Shortly after introducing their new program for the BMW 6-Series Convertible, German tuner Hartge has set its sights on the F13 coupe version with a similar styling and performance upgrade. As part of Hartge’s new digs for the 6-Series Coupe, the German tuner added aerodynamic modifications that include specially tailored spring sets that give the vehicle a lowered stance by 30mm in the front and 25mm in the rear. To go with the suspension tweaks, Hartge also fitted the 6-Series Coupe with four different sets of 19" to 21" wheels wrapped in 295mm wide tires. The wheels, incidentally, are available in a number of color finishes, as well as matte black or glossy finishes that customers can choose to fit into the car. For the BMW 650i M Sport package, Hartge also added a new stainless steel exhaust system that comes with a stainless steel center silencer, rear silencer, and dual round tail pipes. For the relative lack of intricate aero upgrades, Hartge more than makes up for it with a significant power boost that takes the 640i’s output from 320 horsepower to 384 horsepower and 398 lb/ft of torque. Likewise, the 650i also gets its own performance uptick, to the tune of 490 horsepower from the standard 407-horsepower output of the standard model.
2012 BMW 6-Series by Hamann
The last time we saw German tuner Hamann work on a BMW 6-Series was at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show when they presented their program for the 6-Series Convertible. Since then, the German automaker has come out and released the 6-Series Coupe and lo and behold, Hamann followed suit with their first styling package for the luxury BMW. For the 6-Series Coupe, Hamann worked on fitting it with a comprehensive styling package that, while not as outlandish as some of their past programs, still casts a distinctive styling that makes it stand out from the rest of the pack. The aerodynamic kit starts off with a new front bumper that comes with LED lights, a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and quad tail pipes, new side skirts, and a rear spoiler. On top of that, Hamann also fitted the 6-Series with a new set of 20" or 21" forged split-rim cross-spoke wheels with titanium screws, progressive sport springs that effectively cut the height of the 6-Series by 30mm in the front and 25mm in the rear, and a new catback exhaust system with four 90mm round stainless-steel exhaust tips. The interior of the 6-Series was also modified, albeit not as much as the exterior. Of the few changes, the things that stand out are the steering wheel, the pedals, and the Hamann badging. No mechanical upgrades were mentioned, which means that you can expect the program to still carry the 6-Series Coupe’s 4.4-liter V-8 engine that produces 400 horsepower and 450 lb/ft of torque. | BMW 6-Series latest reviews:BMW 6-Series tuning:
Find us on Facebook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|