BMW M6 by Hamann
What if the best is not good enough?

Motion Trends,
21st February 2006.

It is certainly the most potent Bavarian luxury coupé from BMW.

Yet, the best doesn't seem to be "good enough", at least for some, like... Hamann, the famous BMW tuner of Laupheim, Germany.

For the M6, the German tuner came up with a number of options, from the racy, aerodynamic body kit, to the power boost of some 60bhp/44kW and 54 Nm, with a top speed of up to 320 km/h, ending up with a selection of alloy-wheel sets in 19, 20 and 21 inch.

In other words, the M6 luxury coupé is turned by Hamann into an uncompromising sports car.

Engine - First, the engine tuning options come in three formulae.

1 - The first option is simple: unleash the beast from the standard engine itself. The high revving 5-litre V10 with 507 bhp and 520 Nm is normally limited to 250km/h by the manufacturer. By removing the engine limiter, Hamann enables the M6 to reach top speeds of between 300km/h and 320km/h, depending on the wheel and tyre combination.

2 - The second option is made up of a combination of removing the engine limiter and optimising the engine characteristics by reprogramming the standard engine computer. HAMANN manages to tease an additional 30bhp/26kW and 15 Nm out of the V10 engine.

3 - Then comes the third one, the “HM/M +60" sport kit which provides even better performance. The kit is made up of high-performance headers, metallic sports catalytic converters, a sports rear silencer, a sports air filter, an engine map optimisation and the removal of engine restrictions. As the name of the sports kit already suggests, the engine then provides around an additional 60bhp/44kW and can provide an extra 54 Nm of torque, meaning that a notably faster top speed of up to 320km/h can be reached.

Body - That's for the engine. How about the body now?

HAMANN also changes the aerodynamics of the pretty machine. To increase down force on the front axle, the tuning company rebuilds three different components at the client's discretion.

1 - The first alternative is a front spoiler mounted on the standard apron, of which there is either a fibreglass or carbon kevlar model.

2 - The second option is a completely new front apron complete with two integrated high-beam headlights.

3 - Also available in fibreglass or carbon Kevlar is the third option, the HAMANN competition front spoiler which can also be built onto the front apron to provide the car with a touring car look.

The HAMANN M6 is fitted with two side skirts that are also available in either fibreglass or carbon kevlar.

Mirror covers and mirror housings made from carbon kevlar (black or silver) give the standard wing mirrors a sportier look.

At the rear too, the customer can choose between fibreglass or carbon kevlar. A tail spoiler and roof spoiler ensure better straight-line stability at high speeds. This effect is complemented by the rear apron finishing with integrated diffuser.

Four stainless steel exhausts, each with a diameter of 90mm are part of the HAMANN 4-pipe sports silencer, with a tone that gives a clearer idea about the coupé's real potency.

Suspension and brakes - After the engine and the body kit come the two essential dynamic safety keys: suspension and brakes.

Here, a lowering kit with progressive chassis springs takes care of the lowering of the chassis. The HAMANN M6 then sits 30mm nearer to the tarmac at the front and 25mm at the back.

To brake effectively at 300km/h, HAMANN equips the M6 with racing brakes on the front axle. It is made up of 2 slitted and ventilated brake discs, 380mm in diameter and 34mm thick, 2 HAMANN brake piston housings in red – other colours are of course available, special brake pads, HAMANN steel flex brake lines and adapter. That's the complete braking hardware set.

Wheels and tires - Then comes the turn of what suspensions and brakes are dealing with, most directly: wheels. Here too, HAMANN offers several metal alloy wheel designs and sizes

Anniversary I - The single piece “Anniversary I" with a multi-piece look and a multi-spoke design marks the entry level into the world of alloy wheels. This wheel is available in a 19 inch design with the measurements 8.5 x 19 and 10 x 19 and in a 20 inch design with the measurements 9.0 x 20 and 10.5 x 20.

PG2 - Available for the front as an 8.5 x 19 and for the rear as 10.0 x 19 is the multi-part five-spoke alloy "PG2”. A lot of air between the spokes means that the M6 leaves behind the impression of being light on its feet.

PG3 - HAMANN offers the multi-part, five-spoke alloy "PG3" wheel in 19 inch (front axle: 9.0 x 19, rear axle: 10.0 x 19) or 20 inch (front axle: 9.0 x 20, rear axle: 10.5 x 20) versions.

Anniversary II - The top wheel model is the “Anniversary II", which is available from HAMANN for the M6 in the dimensions 9 x 20 and 11 x 20.

All of these wheels from the "Anniversary I" up have a silver finish and captivate with their highly polished alloy rim flanges. On the "Anniversary I" and “PG2”, the rim flange is made from INOX stainless steel, although, in the case of it getting damaged, the rim flange on the “PG2” is replaceable.

Edition Race - For export sales, HAMANN also has the “Edition Race” wheel available in 20 inch and 21 inch sizes. HAMANN offers this three-piece, super-light forged wheel with a crossed-spoke design, titanium screw fittings and highly-polished rim flange with a black wheel hub. 

HAMANN offers all of these rims together with the appropriate tyres. For 19 inch wheels tyres with the size 255/40 ZR19 are available for the front and 285/35 ZR19 for the rear. The tyres sizes for the 20 inch wheels are 255/35 ZR20 and 285/30 ZR20.

Of course HAMANN also offers shim sets as well as lockable wheel nuts, for additional security.

Interior - For the coupé's interior, there are various HAMANN accessories and fitment details, such as the exclusive floor mats complete with company logo, a noble aluminium hand brake, sporty aluminium pedals and an eight-piece interior set made of carbon, which all serve to underline the sporty appearance.

As an alternative to the standard steering wheel, HAMANN offers two versions of an anti-slip, three-spoke leather sports steering wheel complete with airbag.

The second steering wheel version has, like the first, a black leather covering, but with additional applications of carbon kevlar.

HAMANN can further modify every M6 according to the individual requirements of the client. This means, for example, that intricate leather fittings are available in different colours, or even an extensive multimedia setup with DVD, TV or Playstation.

For more information about products availabilities, shipping and prices, you can visit Hamann website directly.