Nürburg, Germany — There’s something incredibly liberating about rocketing along a freeway and blasting by not one, not two, but three motorcycle cops at over 180 km/h. The last officer I passed was ducked behind the windscreen of his bike, trying to remain ultra-aerodynamic. I hope the buffeting caused by the matte-blue 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé didn’t destabilize him, but I have to confess I didn’t give it much thought at the time.
Reason being, you need to keep your eyes forward on the autobahn, even when driving a slick machine like the latest offering from the M division. Sure, it’s an unlimited-speed series of highways, but the autobahn is also very popular, at times busy with slow-moving vehicles, and the pavement is not always as smooth as one would like.
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First Drive on the Autobahn
- Engine: 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8
- Power: 560 hp / 500 lb-ft
- Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (M DCT)
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
- 0–100 km/h: ~4.2 seconds
- Top Speed: 250 km/h (limited)
For the quick blast along the A1 towards Cologne, I had hoped to push the BMW to its limits and past my personal, public-road record—I coaxed an Aston Martin V12 Vantage to 302 km/h in this same part of the world a few years ago—but the pavement and the traffic called time on that plan.
Driving Dynamics: Effortless Speed, Real Control
The twin-turbo, 560-horsepower, 4.4-litre V8 in the M6 Gran Coupé easily pushed the sleek 4-door to 270 km/h; no telling what its true terminal velocity might be in real-world competition, but the manual suggests an eye-bulging 305 km/h with the optional M Driver’s package (a measly 250 km/h without).
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The car’s many adjustable controls made for an entertaining ride; as with the M5 and M6, the M6 Gran Coupé features driver-controlled settings for the engine, steering, stability control and suspension system. For the record, the sport-plus suspension was too hyper-sensitive for high-speed runs, but the comfort setting was just right.
“It’s a big, powerful machine that feels just as capable of devouring long stretches of the autobahn as it does of turning heads with its sleek design and premium cabin.”
While this version of the M6 is a big car, its performance is comparable to the other mid-size Ms. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic helps propel the car, reportedly, from 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. The engine produces plenty of torque (500 lb-ft from just 1,500 rpm), so the need to row through the gears is just not there. The version tested came with the optional carbon ceramic brake package and they were a fantastic addition, providing surefooted braking right from the get-go.
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Design & Presence: More Than Just an M5
The 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé, in the parlance of our times, ain’t cheap. With a base price of $127,900, it easily eclipses that of the current M5 by a hefty 20 large or so. But this 4-door is positioned differently than the other Bimmer; the M5 is all about performance, while the GC combines that same level of performance with serious style and a higher degree of luxury.
The exterior of the M6 Gran Coupé is stunning and the interior, depending on the colour and package combinations chosen, is equally so. One of the versions witnessed had an all-white leather interior that looked fit for a sheikh. Considering this car’s performance and level of luxury, the pricing is not out of line at all.
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Takeaway
The 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupé blends outright performance with a level of luxury that sets it apart from its M siblings, delivering high speed without sacrificing comfort or composure. It’s a big, powerful machine that feels just as capable of devouring long stretches of the autobahn as it does of turning heads with its sleek design and premium cabin. While it may not be the purist’s choice like the M5, the Gran Coupé makes a compelling case as the more well-rounded option—one that balances brute force with refinement in a way few performance sedans can.
