The M6 Convertible is based on the standard 6 Series Convertible, but adds a powerful 552bhp 4.4-litre turbocharged engine, as well as a host of electronic systems to improve the handling. A Coupe version is also available which gets a carbon-fibre roof instead of a retractable fabric hood. The styling has been given an aggressive makeover to make it stand out from other models in the range – and so it should with a price tag of nearly £100,000.
Drive
The M6's engine offers savage acceleration
Under the bonnet is the same engine as the M5 Saloon. The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 produces 552bhp and blasts the convertible from 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds, while the exhausts produce a throaty roar. A seven-speed twin-clutch M DCT gearbox delivers extremely fast gear changes, but isn’t as smooth as the eight-speed automatic gearbox fitted to standard versions of the 6 Series. The M6 sends its power to the rear-wheels, but there's still loads of grip in the corners and thanks to stiffer suspension it won’t roll around even at high speeds. There's a huge array of setting for the gearbox, suspension, steering, throttle response and traction control so you can tailor the car's behaviour to your driving style.
Comfort
Almost as quiet and as comfortable as the Coupe
Sports seats designed specifically for the M6 are heavily sculpted to hold passengers in place, but soft Merino leather included as standard means they remain comfortable even on long trips. The suspension can be set to three different modes – the softest of which is supple and deals well with poor surfaces. Even in the firmest mode it never feels unbearably uncomfortable. Leave the roof up and the cabin is almost as quiet as the Coupe – at motorway speeds having a conversation with passengers in the rear is easily possible. The M6 is a car that's been designed to be useable every day, with an explosive turn of pace when the opportunity presents itself.
Reliability
Top-notch build qaulity comes as standard
The build quality is superb, especially on the interior, but this is a car that's been designed for those who will want to exploit the performance on offer. It's likely that it will be used on track at some point during its life so parts such as brake pads and tyres will have to deal with more wear and tear than most cars. Given proper maintenance though it should be just as reliable as less-powerful BMWs.
Practicality
The roof takes 19 seconds to fully retract
With the roof up there's 350 litres of boot space – lower it (a process that takes 19 seconds) and that falls to 300 litres, 13 litres less than the Jaguar XKConvertible. The rear seats can accommodate two full size adults at a squeeze, or can double up as extra luggage space and there's a sizeable glove box for your valuables in the front. Thanks to a larger 80-litre fuel tank than its V10-powered predecessor, and fuel-consumption improved by 30 per cent the M6 Convertible can travel a useful 480-miles between fill-ups.
Value for money
The M6 Convertible is loaded with standard equipement
Priced at just under £100,000, the M6 Convertible costs around £5,000 more than the Coupe, but approximately £4,500 less than its closest rival, the Jaguar XKR-S Convertible. Considering the 407bhp 650i Convertible M Sport costs less than £80,000, the M6 is a lot of money for not much more, but the performance is truly astonishing. Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, a head-up display and sat-nav with a 10.2-inch colour screen. Carbon ceramic brakes and 20-inch alloys (instead of the standard 19-inch wheels) can be ordered as an option.
Running costs
Owners will struggle to achieve its official fuel consumption figure of 27.4mpg
Thanks to stop-start, direct fuel-injection, variable valve timing and the turbochargers the new M6 uses around 30 per cent less fuel that its predecessor, despite a 52bhp advantage. Drive enthusiastically though and the fuel consumption can drop as low as single figures, repair bills and servicing will not be cheap either. You can expect lose around 50 per cent of its value over three years, too.
