2013 BMW M6 Coupe Review

Shopping for a ride in six-digit pricing territory opens the door on a tremendous selection of posh, advanced excellent performance models, and the new BMW M6 Coupe is one of the most recent. Advanced technology, performance, and everyday usability are the big draws here.


BMW’s latest M-powered rocket-sled delivers lung-squishing performance, face-peeling acceleration, locked-on handling, and killer looks in a package that’s surprisingly easy to drive. Effectively, the 2013 BMW M6 is two cars in one: a comfortable tourer one moment and a fire-breathing sports coupe that’s absolutely track-ready when dialed into “M” mode. It’s a good thing you get two cars here because the tester, with some options, wore a sticker of $145,000.

The 2013 BMW M6 is two cars in one: a comfortable tourer one moment and a fire-breathing sports coupe that’s absolutely track-ready when dialed into “M” mode. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)
Technicalities
The latest M-power engine motivates the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe. Specifically, it’s a 4.4L V8 with targeted upgrades for durability and performance in a motorsports setting. Using turbocharging, it creates simply monstrous output as a pair of exhaust-driven air compressors blast the combustion chambers full of cooled, compressed air at a moment’s notice.

The result? The 2013 BMW M6 Coupe generates a monstrous 560 horsepower, and video-game-like sound.

Drivers can expect it to dispense with 0-100 km/h in a tick over 4 seconds, followed by a non-stop flood of torque that blasts the big two-door ahead until the throttle is released. Explosive is a good word to describe acceleration. Drop your foot and after a very brief moment of turbo lag, the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe consumes the road ahead at an absolutely startling rate. If you haven’t got the self-control of Buddhist monk, this thing will be the weapon of mass destruction for your driver’s license. Often, the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe is just too fast for roads with speed limits.

The transmission is the engine’s partner in crime: a 7-speed twin-clutch box that completes an entire gearshift in a blink at the click of a paddle, complete with perfect rev-matching in both directions. Left in drive it functions like a regular automatic, shifting gently and easily.

The 2013 BMW M6 Coupe generates a monstrous 560 horsepower, and video-game-like sound.(Photo: Justin Pritchard)
Driving the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe
Drivers can have all of the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe’s performance any way they like thanks to switches that adjust the calibration of the suspension, steering, transmission, and overall system response in real time.

Fully dialed up, the shocks stiffen, the engine gets louder, and the transmission and engine become markedly more responsive. Drivers feel and hear more, and it all works to pull them into the experience right down to the steering that thickens up. Set up thusly, handling dynamics capitalize on the M6’s size and weight for a stable, solid, and clamped-on agility that’s big on confidence.

All the while, it fully reminds you that you’ll get nowhere near the limits of its grip on a public road.

When a more relaxed drive is in order, the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe is surprisingly laid-back. It proves largely quiet and comfortable when cruising the highway in no particular rush.

Drivers can have all of the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe’s performance any way they like thanks to switches that adjust the calibration of the suspension, steering, transmission, and overall system response in real time. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)
Ins and Outs of the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe
Complaints were minimal, as expected of a car with pricing bordering on real-estate territory. Rearward visibility is limited, as is back-seat space. Fuel consumption is very reasonable during gentle highway driving, though it can spike as high as 17L / 100km in the city if you don’t watch your right foot.

Drivers enjoy the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe from a cabin lined sumptuously with carbon fibre, leather, and gadgets; and in the case of the tester, $6k worth of stereo upgrades from Bang & Olufsen. I have no idea what their stereo sounds like, however… Twin-turbo V8, and all.

Front seat space is generous, even for taller drivers. Numerous passengers throughout the week admitted to expecting a far stiffer and noisier ride, as did I.

And, on a personal level, I’m not a fan of such a huge array of tech-y gadgets in a high-performance car, but gadget-geek types will love it.

Drivers enjoy the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe from a cabin lined sumptuously with carbon fibre, leather, and gadgets (Photo: Justin Pritchard)
Comparing the 2013 BMW M6
At this price range, there’s no shortage of worthy options. The Audi R8 is less powerful for the money, but arguably attracts more attention than anything this side of a half-million dollars. The Jaguar XKR is more dated and not as powerful, but it’s sumptuously classy and extremely attractive -- for thousands less. A Porsche 911 Carrera S is just as quick in a straight line, and feels more agile and lively to drive hard.

Ultimately, the 2013 BMW M6 will appeal highly for its size, space, high-tech flare, and all-out firepower. Having to choose a model from the above list is a nice problem to have.

blog comments powered by 4.4L V8 twin-turbo DOHC 32-valve

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2013 BMW 650i xDrive Gran Coupe Review

Grand in more ways than one
The idea of a four-door coupe may be lost on some, but not on BMW. Somehow, they’ve managed to design a vehicle that’s cavernous inside but feels small and nimble on the road. From long sweeping lines to tight, taut handling, the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe is just that: Grand.

There’s another thing that’s quite grand about the 650i, and that’s its price tag. However, in my mind, BMW justified the numbers (and there are many) attached to the Gran Coupe. While it is quite a large vehicle (stretching nearly 16 ft in length), it’s the attention to detail that really dragged me into the luxurious stronghold that is the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe.

What is the BMW 650i Gran Coupe?
BMW’s 6 Series is a coupe model, and first hit North American soil in the ‘70s. Available as a two-door and later, a convertible, the 6 Series was, and still is, seen as the sportier brother to the 7 Series. Larger in size and with ample power, the 6 Series is the sporty businessman’s vehicle of choice.

It wasn’t until its third iteration that the BMW 6 Series gained an extra pair of doors to rival the likes of the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS. The Gran Coupe four-door model was first seen in 2012.

Technicalities
While there are a few engine choices available in Europe, we only get one here in Canada for 2013, but at least it’s a very good power source. The 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe features a TwinPower Turbo V8 that pumps out a glorious 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. One hundred from a standstill happens in just 4.8 seconds. The power in the 650i Gran Coupe is fluid and always there.

Turbo lag is nearly non-existent and the 8-speed sports automatic transmission is a joy to manipulate. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters offer more control, but I rarely used them as the transmission is that quick to respond and functional on its own.

The 2013 BMW 650i starts at $98,800. At the top of the 6 Series lineup sits the M6 Gran Coupe for $127,900. Where does the 650i Gran Coupe fit in? Well, it sits pretty at $99,800 -- to start. BMWs are highly customizable and are made to order. As such, my tester’s price rose to a dramatic $131,100 after various packages for seats, sound, and technology were added.

The 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe features a TwinPower Turbo V8 that pumps out a glorious 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Olivier Delorme)
Driving the BMW 650i Gran Coupe
For a vehicle weighing somewhere in the 4,500lb range, the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe is quite light on its feet. I expected to feel as if I was piloting a small land yacht; instead, I felt like I was behind the wheel of a slightly fatter 3 Series. That’s the thing about BMWs; they really are driver’s cars (no matter how big the backseat is).

I’ll admit, the nose on the 650i Gran Coupe was a little stretched out for my liking (I paid close attention when parking near curbs, etc.). However, as far as handling, cornering and acceleration were concerned, the 650i is an absolute joy to drive -- and the bark from the dual exhaust will keep you coming back for more.

Visibility in the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe isn’t the best as the rear window has quite a severe angle; however, the available backup camera will help with that.

For a vehicle weighing somewhere in the 4,500lb range, the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe is quite light on its feet. (Photo: Olivier Delorme)
Inside and out of the BMW 650i Gran Coupe
There’s no denying that the 650i Gran Coupe is a big beast of a car. I adore the recessed, angel-eye headlights and bulbous, ferocious nose of the front fascia. A traditional kidney grille and sporty front lip complete the intimidating look that ensures traffic parts in your wake. The coupe line is stunning on the 650i Gran Coupe. Four-door vehicles that can wear the coupe line so well without looking awkward always intrigue me, and the 650i is one such vehicle.

Here’s where the little things come to light: From subtle “Gran Coupe” branding below the rear side windows (integrated into the door frame) to “BMW LED” branding in the headlamps, BMW really took a fine-tooth designing comb to the 650i.

Space in the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe is ample front and back, and standard fare is present in terms of amenities (iDrive, heated seats, privacy screens in the rear, Bluetooth, etc.).

I adore the recessed, angel-eye headlights and bulbous, ferocious nose of the front fascia. A traditional kidney grille and sporty front lip complete the intimidating look that ensures traffic parts in your wake. (Photo: Olivier Delorme)
Comparing the BMW 650i Gran Coupe
As mentioned above, the 650i Gran Coupe was released to compete directly with the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. As far as a grand touring saloon goes, I’m not sure the BMW is at the top of the pack; however, when it comes to sporty driving dynamics the BMW has it in the bag.

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