Mightier M6s top upgraded BMW 6 Series range

BMW Australia has released upgraded versions of its 6 Series Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe, bringing more equipment, more value, subtle design updates and more powerful M6 versions of all three top-shelf sports cars.

The extra urge comes courtesy of an upgraded Competition Package that now comes standard with all 2015 M6s, adding 29kW of peak power (18kW more than the old, optional power pack) and 20Nm of maximum torque and bringing the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8's outputs to a mammoth 441kW/700Nm – the latter available over a broad 1500-6000rpm.

That's enough for the upgraded M6 Coupe and Gran Coupe to hit 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds – one-tenth sooner than the Porsche 911 GTS and two-tenths sooner than the 423kW models they replace – while the M6 Convertible is just 0.1 seconds slower.

This extra pace come at no expense to fuel consumption, with both coupe models continuing to consume 9.9L/100km combined and the convertible still returning 10.3L/100km.

The only catch is that the first Competition Package-equipped 2015 M6s don't enter production until July, meaning they're at least three months away from local delivery, although BMW says it will retro-fit the kit to vehicles sold before then.

The other downside is a $925 price increase across the board, bringing the M6 Coupe to $292,600 plus on-road costs, the M6 Gran Coupe to $299,600 and the M6 Convertible to $308,600.

However, BMW says this is more than offset by the extra performance of the now-standard Competition Package, which also brings a more focussed chassis including stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, an Active M rear differential, more direct rack-and-pinion steering set-up with M-specific Servotronic function, black chromed exhaust outlets and specific 20-inch M alloy wheels.

What's more, additional standard features for all 2015 M6 models include the choice of four new BMW Individual paint colours (Citrin Black, Ruby Black, Moonstone Silver and Tanzanite Blue), DAB+ Digital Radio, Tyre Pressure Monitor and a wind deflector (drop-top only).

All three M6s continue to come standard with an M-fettled eight-speed automatic transmission,  full Merino leather upholstery with contrast stitching,  full-colour M-specific BMW Head-Up Display and the full-suite of BMW ConnectedDrive features including Concierge Service and Real Time Traffic Information.

Meantime, the same $925 price rise also applies to the rest of the facelifted 6 Series line-up revealed last December (pricing for which was released last month), including the 640i Coupe ($177,900), 640i Gran Coupe ($184,900), 640d Gran Coupe ($184,900), 640i Convertible $193,900, 650i Coupe ($231,900), 650i Gran Coupe ($238,900) and 650i Convertible ($247,900).

However, BMW says there is $14,000 worth of extra standard features for all models, including Adaptive LED headlights (already standard on Gran Coupe), the same four BMW Individual paints as the M6, Digital Radio, Driving Assistant Plus, Lane Change Warning, Parking Assistant, Soft Close Doors, Surround View, rear sunblind (Gran Coupe and Coupe only), rear side sunblinds (Gran Coupe only), wind deflector (Convertible only) and 20-inch alloys (650i only).

Cosmetically, the mainstream 6 Series range gains only a new front bumper and more upright grille with nine bars instead of 10 and revised tail-lights.

Carryover standard features include Active Cruise Control, Selective Beam, Head-up Display, Surround View with Top View and Side View, reversing camera, active exhaust on all petrol models in Sport mode, leather seat and dash trim and BMW ConnectedDrive features like Intelligent Emergency Call, Internet, TeleServices, Concierge Services and Real Time Traffic Information.

Carryover 650i extras include 20- rather than 19-inch alloys, aluminium rather than black grille, oval-rather than round-section exhaust outlets, ventilated front Comfort seats16-speaker/600-Watt harman/kardon (instead of nine-speaker/205-Watt) sound, TV, Adaptive Drive and Dynamic Damper Control.

These are options on 640 models, while a no-cost full M Sport package is also among the extensive options list, along with ceramic control surrounds ($1100), Integral Active Steering ($3600), 16-speaker/1200-Watt Bang & Olufsen surround sound ($16,000) and even a range of custom touches like personalised floor mats from Individual Manufaktur, which is claimed to borrow the craftsmanship of BMW's ultra-luxury sister brand, Rolls-Royce.

New $2800 options packages include Design Pure Experience (including bi-colour White/Black Nappa leather, Black Walknappa instrument panel and upper door trims, Ivory White lower instrument panel and ceramic control surrounds) and Design Pure Experience, comprising BMW Individual High-Gloss Shadow Line, bi-colour Cognac/Black Nappa leather, Black Walknappa instrument panel and upper door trims, Cognac lower instrument panel and Fineline Brown interior highlights.

Engines are unchanged, including the 230kW/630Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline six in the 640d (Gran Coupe only), the 235kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-six in the 640i and the 330kW/650 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 in the 650i we reviewed overseas here.

BMW has sold about 10,000 6 Series models since the coupe and convertible revived the model name in 2002 (2004 in Australia), before the second-generation (modern) 6 Series arrived here in 2011, followed by the all-new Gran Coupe – the top-seller in Australia -- in 2012.

In Australia, where M6 models account for 15 per cent of sales, the 6 Series has been outsold only by the Porsche 911 in the rarefied $200K-plus sports car segment for the past three years, with more than 250 sold here last year.

2015 BMW 6 Series pricing (plus ORCs):
640i Coupe – $177,900
640i Gran Coupe – $184,900
640d Gran Coupe – $184,900
640i Convertible – $193,900
650i Coupe -- $231,900
650i Gran Coupe -- $238,900
650i Convertible -- $247,900
M6 Coupe -- $292,600
M6 Gran Coupe -- $299,600
M6 Convertible -- $308,600