A year after the Geneva Auto Salon 2004 and the launch of the "Concept M5" we are weeks near of delivering the BMW M5 E60 to customers in Europe. After the left-hand drive European cars development work will begin on right-hand drive European cars. After this the development work will begin on the USA-specification M5 E60.

In addition to this it was the world-premiere of the BMW M6, the 6-series with the same transmission, engine and electronics as the BMW M5. Also there was interesting news from BMW Alpina with the launch of the 500 HP Alpina B5, with a supercharged V8. Also Sweden's supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg CC-R broke the high-speed test at Nardo with a top speed of 388 km/h. More on this later.

The BMW M5 and M6

The BMW stand consisted of two levels and on the first level the new facelifted 7-series as well as the new 3-series. Also one the unique in it's class 130i which will have a debut in September. On the second floor there was the VIP-section as well as cars from Individual (330i, 760Li, Z4 and X5 4,8iS).

The BMW M cars of the stand consisted of one BMW M6 in Indianapolis Red as well as an Silverstone II M5 in full leather Merino in colour Silverstone II. In addition it was a race version of the 3,0 CSL. The BMW M6 carbon fibre enforced plastic roof as on the M3 CSL was a beautiful sight under the showroom lights. Also  there was a M3 E46 with the optional Competition Package that consists of M3 CSL wheels, alcantara steering wheel and brakes.

The M6 had full black Merino leather interiour with leather in the middle console as well as on the dash in black Merino leather. The M6 was equipped with the optional full-leather interiour and thus had leather on the dash.

The interiour was familiar from partly the 645Ci and the M5, since the M6 can be seen as a combination of these. The speedometer, rev-counter, HUD-display, M Sport-button , SMGIII console,  pads and shifter are all identical to the M5.

The exterior had identical "M aerodynamically optimized exterior mirrors" as the M5. Comapred to the M5 the M6 wheelbase is shorter and the center of gravity is lower, partly thanks to the carbon roof. The M6 is therefore a unique car in every respect in terms of dynamics.

On the BMW M6 press pictures the interiour panels where Madeira wood (a darker shade of wood) and optionally you could choose Carrera wood (light wood trim) or Piano Black finish (black painted panels). However fro the M6 in Geneva BMW M displayed a carbon fibre interiour which for now only is a prototype status. I think it looked good and went well with the carbon roof and the M6 even sportier character.

The USA launch date for the BMW M6 is not  decided as of now but most probably  be happening late this year. The M6 price comapred to the M5 cannot be converted over different markets since different service and equipment arestandard on both of these cars on different markets. In Europe on the German market there is a price difference of around €20 000.  The M6 will most probably also me offered on the North American market with a manual gearbox since that is decided for to come for the BMW M5.  As stated previously the side gills on the M5 and M6 are for design purposes.  There is no plan to decide on a  higher top-speed limiter than the current 250 km/h (156 mph) limiter.

The active seats (4MA) that are available on the M5 will nto be available on the M6 since the M6 seats as wel las the car is already more sportier. A M6 Convertible and a M6 CSL is something that has to be decided of by the board of BMW and not BMW M. Judging from the BMW M Manager Bruhnkes previous work-experience at Mercedes AMG he is iused to a larger product portfolio and there would be no surprise if BMW M would go a similar way.

M Light alloy wheels in double spoke styling  167 M in 19'. These wheels are optional on the M5, however the M6 cannot be ordered with the M5 wheels, the radial spoke styling 166 M 19'.

The exterior mirrors are identical with built in illuminating lights for enterign the car in the dark and illuminating the area next to the door. Black inserts are also on the mirrors on the M6, which was inspired form racing hne the race-cars have different coloured mirrors to make them easily recognizable.

The rear-spoiler of the M6 is built in on the trunk, but is the same shape as other 6-series.

Mirror on the M6 identical to the M5.

Design elements. On the M5 there is openings into the engine, but the purpose is the same: design.

4,5 kilograms are saved from the roof by using carbon fibre. Therefore the M6 cannot be ordered with a sunroof. Carbon-fiber reinforced plastics has a density of 1,5 kg / dm^3 as opposed to 2,7 kg / dm^3 for aluminum. Acheveing these weight savings results in faster speeds in bends and further reduction of body dive and roll since the center of gravity is lowered significantly.

Alcantara rear-shelf.

Familiar engine.

Sparsely used sound insulation material is promising for an aural experience together with the exhuast which is already a bit louder than the M5 exhaust, which is according to BMW M plans of the car.

M6 door sills are illuminated, which is not the case on the M5.

M-leather steering wheel with SMG-paddles, Multifuntion control and M Drive button on the M6 as we also know it form the M5. Notice the M colours stitching. Notice the fulll-leather interiour with stitching across the instrument panel. You only see some exposed plastics is on steering column.

Norice the attention to detail when it comes to the stitiching. Individual could surely exchange the colour of the thread from black to M colours for a more enhanced look of the leather surfaces.

Familiar instrument cluster from the BMW M5. Red needles in the dials, a classic M theme on BMW M cars. Rumours say it is possible to use the 330 km/h scale all out on for example the Nardo high-speed oval.

The M Multifunction seats with active seatbacks are not available for the M6. This is because the seats for the M6 have so much lateral support in standard form so active ones are not needed.

Classic coupe rear seats with classic M635CSi form the 1980's. The M635CSi was the last BMW which was produced without a top.speed limiter and thus made a top speed of 255 km/h. In USA it was branded as a M6.

Rear differential is also similar to the BMW M5.

I prefeer the styling of the M5. A nice que of three cars...

The M5 E60 required the double amount of air compared to the M5 E39. That is why the deletion of foglights on the M5 is needed.

Rotated rev-counter for optimum vision at higher revs, just as what is common on classic race Porsches.

BMW Individual

BMW Individual should also be available for North American customers, and the only problem is that some of the US-ordering process is not made for BMW Individual, but a manual order  through a level higher than hte dealer would make it possible to get individual products in the USA. It seems that BMW M / BMW Individual is in talks with BMW North America to streamlime the ordering process as well as inform the  consumers more about individual in the USA.

The Individual BMW 330i

On the second floor of the stand there was a E90 330i Individual. The 3-series is available with six Individual leather colours and six Individual colour combinations as well as four Individual trim options.











BMW Individual steering wheel with wooden ring inlay. Piano Finish Black interior panels on the middle console, steerng wheel and doorsides.







Notice the Individual stitches on the headrests and seats.



The Individual BMW Z4 3,0i in Nachtblau metallic  with interiour Imdividual  leather Merin Champagner.





Notice the roll bars that are covered in leather.

The Individual 645Ci in Ruby Black and leather Champagner.



The Individual BMW 760Li in Ruby Black Metallic with Individual Leather Merino in Oxyde Brown