Auto News - the BMW M6

The BMW 6-Series has undergone its mid-cycle update but the changes are barely noticeable, whichis probably why BMW has chosen to introduce the car midway through the current 2015 model year.The changes affect the entire 6-Series range, which continues to include a coupe, convertible andfour-door coupe, plus their respective M6 variants.

Since more than 80,000 examples of the current 6-Series have been sold since the car�s 2012model year arrival, designers were never going to muck around with what appears to be quite asuccessful formula. Instead, they have tweaked things here and there to make the updated modelmore powerful, sportier and sharper.

Yes, there is more power under the hood for some models. Here in the U.S., the base 2015 6-Seriesremains the 640i, whose turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six now rates in at 315 horsepower instead ofthe previous model�s 300 hp. Up next is the 650i, which sports a turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8and 445-hp rating. Finally, at the top of the range is the M6, which also features a turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 but has a 560-hp rating in standard form and 575-hp rating when the car�s availableCompetition Package is installed.

Drive is normally sent to the rear wheelsbut the 640i and 650i variants can beupgraded with xDrive all-wheel drive. TheM6 is a auto news strict rear-driver.Those regular models also sport an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmissionwhereas the M6 gets a seven-speed M-DCT dual-clutch unit. Both transmissions feature a Launch Control function.

Clearly the M6 is the quickest: Both the M6 coupe and M6 Gran Coupe need just 4.2 seconds toaccelerate from 0-62 mph while the M6 Convertible is only 0.1 of a second off that pace. Top speedfor all members of the 6-Series family is electronically limited to 155 mph.

Seriously, ONLY 155?? How WILL I get to the next block fast enough?