Cabriolet Cars

With a redline in excess of 8,000 rpm, BMW's 500 horsepower V10 engine delivers its power in a way that many observers likened to a turbine– smooth, effortless and seemingly limitless. With its 5.0-liter capacity, this normally aspirated engine delivers 100 horsepower-per-liter, a power output that not that long ago was exclusively racecar territory. The engine features double-VANOS variable valve timing for both the intake and exahsut camshafts, a motorsports-inspired wet-/dry-sump lubrication system to protect the engine from oil starvation during high-speed cornering, ten individual throttle butterflies for instant response and powerful engine management electronics developed for Formula 1 racing. Innovative weight savings the M6 Coupe builds on the intelligent weight saving innovations pioneered on the 6 Series Coupe and Convertible, such as an aluminum front structure, sheet-molded compound trunk lid and thermoplastic front fender liners.

Despite their undeniable good looks, convertibles have often had the reputation of not providing a stable enough platform for crisp, precise handling, especially when combined with a high-horsepower engine. In fact, conventional automotive wisdom has long held that the more power a convertible has, the more its handling suffers. That's because the very feature that was most appealing to open-air driving enthusiasts, the folding soft top, often sapped the chassis of the rigidity necessary for knife-edge driving dynamics.

BMW M engineers focused on this critical issue realizing full well that their credibility was on the line. In what must be considered the ultimate validation of their efforts, the M6 Convertible can lap the 12-mile Nordschleife (North Loop) of Germany's legendary Nurburgring racetrack nearly as fast as the M6 Coupe.

The M6 Convertible's soft top is made up of three layers. A special noise and heat insulating layer of polyurethane foam is held between the weather-proof outer layer and the interior roof lining. Its unique fin-look gives the M6 Convertible the same dynamic profile as the M6 Coupe. The C-pillar features the traditional BMW Hofmeister kink.

Although the roof covers a generous passenger compartment, it folds into compact dimensions. The vertical rear window requires very little storage space and can be raised or lowered independently of the roof. It can be lowered with the top up to provide additional ventilation and can be raised with the top down to act as a wind deflector. The roof can be raised or lowered if the car is traveling up to 20 mph. The top can be ordered in either black or gray cloth.

Befitting the exclusive nature of the M6 Convertible, the list of standard features includes auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, Park Distance Control, On-board Navigation, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Real Time Traffic Information and Bluetooth hands-free phone interface.

Also included is BMW Assist for four full years and enrollment in an exclusive one-day M driver training course at the BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC. The standard Logic7 sound system with surround sound simulation may be enhanced with optional Sirius Satellite Radio and High Definition Radio. Other options include the Head-up Display and BMW Comfort Access. New options for 2008 include an iPod USB adapter for instant integration, a heated steering wheel and High Beam Assistant.

The newly optional High Beam Assitant automatically adjusts the M6's headlights for ambient light and road conditions. It greatly improves nighttime visibility without distracting oncoming traffic and the constant need to switch between low and high beams.

The BMW M6 Convertible features state-of-the-art passenger protection systems, controlled by the Intelligent Safety and Information System (ISIS) that determines the intensity of a collision and activates the appropriate safety features quickly and precisely where they are needed. The three-point seat belts on all four seats are equipped with belt force limiters. The integrated restraint systems on the front seats feature belt latch tensioners, with two-stage front and side airbags to reduce the risk of injury.

BMW strives to produce its motor vehicles and other products with the utmost attention to environmental compatibility and protection. Integrated into the design and development of BMW automobiles are such criteria as resource efficiency and emission control in production; environmentally responsible selection of materials; recyclability during production and within the vehicle; elimination of CFCs and hazardous materials in production; and continuing research into environmentally friendly automotive power sources. Tangible results of these efforts include the recycling of bumper cladding into other vehicle components; water-based paint color coats and powder clear coats; near-future availability of hydrogen-powered models; and various design and engineering elements that help make BMWs easier to dismantle at the end of their service life.