The BMW M6 in Coupe guise is no longer available for purchase. The Germans pulled it out of production as they are readying the ground for the new M8 but one essential piece from it will continue to live on – the engine. The new M5 is using a revised version of the 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo mill used on the Competition Package models. Unlike the standard M6, the Competition Package versions came with 600 PS and a bit more torque, towards the end of the production cycle and that made quite a difference.
Understandably so, considering the M6 was on the heavier side of things and could use all the horsepower and torque it could muster. However, being a rear-wheel drive model, it did have some trouble putting all of it down. In order to do so in the best possible way, one would have to get super sticky tires and then a super sticky surface to try them out on, something like a drag strip, the likes of the one in the video below.
In the footage we can see the M6 going up against a rather unusual rival, a Porsche 911 GT3 of the 911.1 assortment. I’m saying ‘unusual’ because the Porsche is more of a track fiend rather than a drag strip monster. Yet, the power to weight ratios are pretty close and both cars come with rear-wheel drive therefore this is an interesting battle. The GT3 was also ECU tuned, making closer to 500 HP at the time of the race, out of its 3.8-liter flat six engine.
The race result was also quite interesting and, as it is usually the case on professional drag strips, took into account only the times posted after the cars set off, so don’t jump to conclusions just because the M6 took off too early. It should also be noted that the M6 apparently didn’t use launch control for some reason, while the Porsche did.
M6 <3
That’s a really good time for the M6. I’m surprised he didn’t use launch control.
No matter how much I love BMW but this is a stupid comparison. GT3 is a track car. It’s hailed for it’s cornering, sharp steering, feedback, grip, weight balance, etc. Straight line racing was never the intention. Compared to other Porsche models it’s even under-powered.
This is so true, 100% agreed. We have to start comparing apples to apples. The M4 GTS is more a direct competitor to the GT3. And we all know how that went. BMW will have to do a brand new sports car from the ground up to compete with a 911 and Mercedes GTR. And not the basic 3/4 series as its platform to take on these cars.
BMW do not look to other manufacturers for product planning, when have they ever done “a brand new sports car from the ground up”? M is across their range, never a dedicated model. 8 Series is already racing even before going against AMG in the marketplace & I’ll wait on new M3/4 before considering a rear engine VAG, a layout so archaic every other manufacturer has abandoned it.