Performance Review: BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 6 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular BMW 6 Series has a 4395cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 6 Series shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 6 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2055 kgs (4530 lbs) this makes the BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 6 Series shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 4395cc 32V V8 engine produces 552 bhp (411 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 502 lb-ft (680.6 Nm) @ 1500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 6 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2002 Ferrari 575 M Fiorano (293.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 6 Series.

The BMW 6 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 268.6 bhp per ton and 244.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 6 Series competing with the 2002 Ferrari 575 M Fiorano (293.6 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Jaguar F Type 5.0L V8 S Cabriolet (293.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 6 Series generating around 244.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2016 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Saloon (269.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 BMW 8 Series M8 Gran Coupe 4.4 V8 Turbo F93 (269.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.3 secs, this made the BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 as fast as the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs) the or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.20 secs). This BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 is also faster than the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 6 Series and the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air

When talking about the performance of the BMW 6 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.76 secs @ 107.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air (12.70 secs), the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 Supercharged (12.70 secs), and the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (12.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 6 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2012 6 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison