BMW M6 GT3 & Competition Edition
BMW M6 GT3
Munich (DE). BMW has set a course for the future in GT racing with the presentation of the newly developed BMW M6 GT3 at the 66th IAA Cars 2015 in Frankfurt am Main (DE). The racing version of the BMW M6 Coupe will be sent into action by numerous private teams from the 2016 season in a host of championships and renowned race events around the world as part of the BMW Sports Trophy.
BMW Motorsport has channelled its vast well of experience amassed since 2010 with the BMW M6 GT3’s successful predecessor, the BMW Z4 GT3, into the development of the new car. Indeed, the new GT3 racer boasts a raft of improvements, particularly in the areas of drivability and economy. One example is the use of a series-produced engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, which develops higher output and an increase in torque. Moreover, with its centrally-positioned driver’s seat and long wheelbase, the BMW M6 GT3 offers a driving feeling unparalleled on the racing scene. The net price of the car is 379,000 Euros.
The BMW M6 GT3 weighs less than 1,300 kilograms, and the transaxle drive concept, sequential six-speed racing gearbox and body aerodynamics optimised in the BMW wind tunnel also highlight the imminent arrival of a full-blooded racer from BMW Motorsport in 2016. The reliability, efficiency and ease of maintenance of the BMW M6 GT3 will likewise be tuned to master the demands of endurance racing, and its longer wheelbase promises to deliver significantly improved handling characteristics compared with the BMW Z4 GT3. As well as the car itself, BMW M6 GT3 customers will also benefit from the service laid on by BMW Motorsport support engineers and a trackside supply of parts.
In May 2015, ahead of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in Germany, BMW Motorsport customers from around the world were treated to an exclusive first glimpse of the BMW M6 GT3 – not to mention a detailed presentation of the car by drivers and engineers – at a “closed room” event at the BMW M Testcenter Nürburg. The GT racing car was subsequently introduced to fans of “the most powerful letter in the world” at the traditional M Night event on the Friday before the classic endurance race in the “Green Hell”. Customer teams in North America were able to feast their eyes on the BMW M6 GT3 for the first time at the United SportsCar Championship (USCC) in Watkins Glen (US), where the racing car was given its first public appearance on the other side of the Atlantic in late June. The BMW M6 GT3 was then revealed to teams, drivers and fans at the Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race in Belgium – the most important GT race in the world. And now, the car has appeared in BMW Motorsport racing livery for the first time at the IAA.
The BMW M6 GT3 has undergone an extensive programme of testing on a variety of circuits over the course of 2015. This has allowed the experienced BMW works drivers to amass many valuable kilometres at the wheel of the BMW M6 GT3 and to carry out important work on the baseline set-up of the new GT and endurance racing challenger. This new poster car for customer racing is now undergoing a final round of fine-tuning prior to its race debut in the coming year.
BMW M6 Competition Edition
The new BMW M6 Coupe Competition Edition to be presented by BMW M GmbH at the 66th Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) from 17 – 27 September 2015 raises the levels of individualisation of this high-performance coupe to even greater heights. The exclusive Competition Edition stands for exceptional individuality, thanks to its special paintwork colours, components made of high-tech carbon fibre, fine leathers with coordinated contrast stitching and a range of unusual details. The Competition Edition is available exclusively for the BMW M6 Coupe with the further honed Competition Package. It gives the 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology an output of 441 kW (600 hp) and maximum torque of 700 Nm (516 lb-ft), taking the BMW M6 Coupe with the optional M Driverʼs Package to a top speed of 305 km/h / 189.5 mph (fuel consumption combined: 9.9/100 km / 28.5 mpg; CO2 emissions combined: 231 g/km)*.
The Edition model comes with a choice of two exterior paintwork colours: dazzling Alpine White and luminous Austin Yellow metallic. In Alpine White, the BMW M6 Coupe Competition Edition features striking decorative bodywork stripes in the trademark BMW M colours, as will also be displayed on the new BMW M6 GT3 race version. Forming an attractive contrast to both colour options are matt-black 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke 343 M styling with mixed tyres. Along with the BMW kidney grille, door handles and side gills in black chrome and the carbon-fibre exterior mirror caps, they accentuate the extraordinarily sporty and powerful presence of the car. The carbon-fibre M rear spoiler in conjunction with a rear diffusor made of the same material serves to optimise airflow.
In the interior, BMW Individual fine-grain Merino full leather in black with contrast stitching – available in Opal White with Alpine White paintwork and in Yellow with Austin Yellow metallic paintwork – highlights the car’s exclusive sporty ambience. “M6 Competition” lettering in metal on the door sills and in the side gill elements, along with the lettering on the cupholder lids, is a further signature feature of the Edition model. The interior trim strips, gear selector and M sports steering wheel spokes are made from fine, lightweight carbon fibre, while the steering wheel rim is lined with elegant, grippy Alcantara.
M multifunction seats for the driver and front passenger and the BMW Head-Up Display are also part of the equipment range. Guaranteeing an intense sonic experience, meanwhile, is a choice of the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and the High-End Surround Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with 16 speakers and output of 1,200 watts.
The Competition Edition option is now available to order, starting at EUR 17,700.
Customers who would like to have their BMW M6 kitted out with the Competition Edition option also require – in addition to the Competition Package (EUR 9,500) – 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke 343 M styling painted in matt black and with mixed-size tyres (EUR 400), multifunction seats for the driver and front passenger (EUR 1,950) and the smoker’s package (EUR 50). They also need to decide whether they’d like to enjoy the outstanding audio experience offered by the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System (EUR 1,290) or the High-End Surround Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with 16 speakers and output of 1,200 watts (EUR 4,950).