The New BMW M6
Published: 5th November 2005
BMW M6
BMW achieved this performance by adhering to its philosophy of developing a high revving normally aspirated engine. This was by no means the easiest route - forced induction or increasing engine capacity could more easily have generated the required 507hp - but it demonstrates BMW M engineers’ quest to offer only the purest and lightest solution for its M6 customers.
The result is an engine that reaches maximum power at 7,750rpm and goes on to reach maximum revs of 8,250rpm.
High revs + power + torque + gearing = thrust
High power outputs and engine revs are not, however, an objective in themselves. To produce the driving response required by M6 drivers these characteristics must be melded with high torque and gearing throughout the driveline that blend to produce thrust.
Acceleration characteristics and driving dynamics depend on the balance of forward thrust and vehicle weight and this has been the main focus for M engineers. The new M6 engine produces 520Nm at 6,100rpm and 450Nm is available from only 3,500rpm thus providing a wide engine range from which to produce thrust.
Weight-watcher - Every gram counts
This masterpiece of an engine weighs in at just 240kgs. There are a host of super-light components inside the engine - for example the forged steel crankshaft, carried in six bearings, weighs only 21.8kgs while each piston weighs a mere 481.7 grams. This same engine features in the new M5 and, as an example of the lengths the engineers have gone to in reducing weight, overall moving masses in the valve train have been reduced by 17.5 per cent when compared with the new M5’s predecessor, the E39 V8 powerplant.
Each small contribution to weight reduction helps to ensure that the goal of perfect 50/50 front to rear weight distribution is achieved.
Breathing and exhaling
BMW’s familiar Bi-VANOS infinitely variable camshaft control has been developed to suit the new high-speed engine. The system enables increased performance, an improved torque curve and lower fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.Stainless steel five-into-one tubular exhaust manifolds, with a wall thickness of just 0.8mm, feed exhaust gases into two dual flow exhaust pipes equipped with four trimetal-coated catalytic converters. These reach optimum temperature quickly and enable the M6 to meet European EU4 and American LEV2 emission standards with ease.
