2017 BMW M6 Coupe

Two words come to mind when we think of the BMW M6; beauty and power. The M6 comes in various forms in the US, available as a four-door Gran Coupe and as a two-door convertible, but the BMW M6 Coupe may be the best of them all. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 mill that produces 560 horsepower, the fire-breathing luxury coupe goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. Pure power is one thing, but the gorgeous machine manages to be comfortable and plush, too. While highly unlikely to give a true sports car like a Porsche a run for its money, there aren't many cars of a similar size on the road that would easily pass it. So, is it still a worthy acquisition some years on?

BMW has a reputation for blending aggression and elegance perfectly for its performance-focused variants, and the M6 is no different. With the exterior having been refreshed in 2016, the 2017 BMW M6 serves as a carryover model. The Bimmer has some significant dimensions, measuring in at around 192.8 inches long and boasting a width of 74.8 inches. It is one of the biggest performance-tuned coupes on the road today, so it comes as no surprise that it has a hefty curb weight of 4,250 pounds.

A set of slim LED headlights flank the kidney grilles, and the curvaceous rear is dominated by LED taillights as well. It sits on 19-inch wheels, but opting for the Competition Package upgrades to a 20-inch set and adds black-chrome tailpipes to the mix, giving it an even sportier appearance.

The 2017 M6 is driven by a twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8 that sends 560 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels, though an all-wheel-drive configuration can be opted for. Going for the Competition Package at an additional cost adds 15 horsepower, resulting in a total of 575 hp, though the torque figure remains the same. Competitors like the Maserati GranTurismo are significantly less powerful in comparison, yet more expensive in terms of price. The V8 is coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that also enables a launch control option but a six-speed manual is also available. The DCT is smooth and competent but allows enough snappiness to remain sporty. As part of the automaker's M-Performance series, the BMW M6 makes the run from 0 to 60 mph in a more-than-adequate 4.1 sec. and has a top speed of 156 mph. Even if you don't end up buying one, taking this beauty for a test drive might be its own reward.

Some would be reluctant to call it a genuine sports car, despite its raw power, because of its immense bulk. It is also too harsh to be considered just a comfortable cruiser, so you have to make peace with the fact that this is a bit of both. Still, its ample power does not go unnoticed when you press the accelerator pedal, and it is still firmly buttoned down when you're trying to reach top speed. But, the ride quality is particularly harsh on unforgiving surfaces. Comfort mode makes for smooth shifting and a generally inoffensive experience behind the wheel, but Track mode is best left for exactly what it was made for - driver-only excursions.

Interestingly enough, the sporty cruiser delivers more frugal gas mileage with the manual transmission than with the DCT. With the six-speed manual equipped, the M6 returns estimates of 15/22/17 mpg city/highway/combined. With the seven-speeder, this drops to 14/20/16 mpg. When the 21.1-gallon fuel tank is full, it manages around 359 miles of range in manual guise, while the automatic spec gets 338 miles.

A maximum of four occupants are hauled around in the M6, and boy, they are hauled around in style. The interior is unsurprisingly lush and loaded with tech, though it seems slightly outdated, since the model is due for a new facelift in the near future. The front is the best place to be, allowing for plenty of space, adjustability, and comfort. It is highly unlikely that a six-footer will struggle to find a comfortable seating position up front, but the rear seats are a tad unforgiving space-wise, largely because of the sloped roofline of its coupe design. The cabin is swathed in premium materials available in different colors, and controls are cleverly laid-out and easily accessible. It allows for 16.1 cubic feet behind the second row and falls slightly behind in this regard when you put it next to the competition.

As expected, the indulgent coupe is far from short on standard-fitted indulgences as a base model. The list includes ten-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. There are also some optional upgrades, including the addition of ventilation for the front perches and 20-way power-adjustability.

As standard, a 10.2-inch screen is installed with BMW's iDrive software, which, in turn, allows for HD radio, Bluetooth, a navigation system, and a single USB port. The iDrive system is extremely easy to use, and is big plus point overall.

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has given the BMW M6 a review for safety, and the only driver-assists it has to speak of are a rearview camera and park distance control. This is odd when you think of the cost of a BMW M6. The consumer reviews for the M6 pertaining to safety are good enough to quell the concerns of shoppers, however.

Is the M6 one of the best sports cars in the USA currently? No, but it offers a decent amount of opulence and strong power outputs. The BMW M6's price is a little too heavy for how much you get, though, especially when it comes to advanced safety. But, the price of the BMW M6 will be justified for die-hard fans, especially when you consider the cost of other options within this segment. The MSRP as an all-new derivative was a considerable $117k, although a used version could be picked up in 2020 for upwards of $60k. The versions that followed in the years since showed designers had improved on the minor flaws highlighted in this review.