2014 BMW M6 to Offer Manual Transmission

Jake Holmes[G+] March 25, 2013

For the 2014 model year, the BMW M6 coupe, convertible, and coupe-like four-door all receive a new option: a six-speed manual transmission. Previously, the BMW M6 came only with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe rear three quarter 300x187 imageThe addition of a manual comes in time for the launch of the 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe, which debuted at the Detroit auto show and goes on sale June 5. The cars’ twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine is unchanged, at 560 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque. BMW made the six-speed manual available on the mechanically similar M5 sedan, too, even though the car was originally available only with a dual-clutch transmission. When the car is in Efficient or Sport mode, the engine computer automatically blips the throttle when the driver downshifts. In the most aggressive Sport+ mode, that feature is disabled and the driver must match revs himself.

The BMW M5 is available with a manual transmission only in the U.S., and only then because frustrated customers complained about the standard dual-clutch. That convinced M GmbH to build a stick-shift M5 just for America. There’s no word yet on whether the BMW M6 follows that pattern or whether it will also be offered with a manual transmission outside of the States.

The other major change for the 2014 BMW M6 is the addition of M Carbon Ceramic brakes to the options list (they were already available for the M5 sedan). In addition to better dissipating heat and reducing brake fade, the carbon-ceramic rotors save 42.8 pounds of mass compared to the car’s standard steel brakes.

2014 BMW 6 Series Convertible Frozen Brilliant White Edition front three quarter 300x187 imageBMW also announced a new limited-run Frozen Brilliant White model (pictured here). Unlike other Frozen cars that had matte paint jobs, the 2014 650i convertible Frozen Brilliant White Edition wears metallic paint. The car includes black mirror caps and kidney grilles, gray 20-inch wheels, black Nappa leather, a black convertible top, and gray poplar wood trim. The M Sport and Executive packages are included as standard, and xDrive all-wheel-drive models additionally benefit from the Cold Weather package.

The Frozen Brilliant White Edition costs $106,695 (including an $895 destination charge) for the 650i convertible and $110,095 for the 650i xDrive. Just 100 cars will be produced in April and May.



Source: BMW

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A report issued by Automobile Magazine says BMW is planning a 6-Series Gran Tourer.

The next generation 6-Series is expected to come out sometime in 2017 - a year after the all-new 5-Series - and besides the usual Coupe, Convertible and GranCoupe derivatives it will allegedly spawn a more practical yet equally luxurious Gran Tourer variant. Its design will be influenced by the GranCoupe but with a more inclined electrically operated tailgate, a lowered ride height and without roof rails.

Going up against the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake, the 2017 BMW 6-Series Gran Tourer will be a more stylish and pricier alternative to the next-gen 5-Series Touring. Expect the next-gen 5- and 6-Series to go on a considerable diet estimated at 100 kg (220 lbs) while the engine lineup will encompass a variety of four-, six- and eight-cylinder units. There are also talks of a three-cylinder engines but BMW still hasn't made up it is mind since many potential customers would be reluctant to see such a small engine in a big car.