M6 launches, then disappears

Newswheel staff :: 09 November 2005 :: Filed under Coupe, Front engine sportscar, BMW, BMW M6, Europe & UK

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Sold out in UK until 2007

BMW has officially launched the M6 super-coupe in the UK. But even if you have 80,755 Earth pounds burning a hole in your wallet, BMW still won’t sell you one anytime soon. The UK’s 400 car allocation for 2006 has been sold out.

For the UK launch, BMW is emphasising efforts made to lighten the M6 compared with the standard issue 6 Series coupe. You’ve probably heard it all before, but it’s worth remembering that the M6 is claimed to have the world’s first mass-production carbon fibre roof along with carbon fibre front and rear bumper mounts, thermoplastic front wings and an aluminium bonnet and doors. Worth remembering, that is, because the M6 still tips the scales at a bovine 1,785 kg. With that in mind, you could be forgiven for thinking that the weight-cutting programme was more about preventing the M6 from collapsing in on itself in a quantum singularity-like fashion than creating a pointy, responsive sports car. Without the measures, a horrifying kerb weight of over 1,900 kg would surely have been on the cards. Still, all those kilos have little impact of the M6’s autobahn credentials. BMW says the 500bhp V10 will push the car to 204mph with the limiter removed.

And anyway, BMW UK will no doubt continue to sell as many M6s as the Munich mothership is willing to ship across the Channel.

Teutonic titillation below. Click images for larger versions, the carbon roof shot is well worth a gander: