What's this all about?
BMW has found a way to extract even more power from its twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 and it's being offered as part of an upgraded Competition Package on the three M6 variants.
So 560hp isn't enough for some people?
Indeed. And in fact, the previous Competition Package liberated 575hp, but the enhanced option adds 25 more horses, rounding it out at a nice even 600hp. That's complemented by a torque boost, jumping from 680Nm in the standard M6 to a rather healthy 700Nm, produced from just 1,500rpm all the way around to 6,000rpm.
And how fast does that make the M6?
Very, in a word. The M6 Coupé and Gran Coupé both accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds, while the heavier M6 Convertible does it in 4.0 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155mph as standard, but those buying the M Driver's Package can wind their M6 around to 189mph if they happen to own a very long private bit of land.
Anything else new?
Well the M6 received the same facelift as the rest of the BMW 6 Series range earlier this year so it's fresh looking with new lights etc. The Competition Package does include its own design of 20-inch alloy wheel and black chrome exhaust tips.
Is that it?
Not quite. As before, the Competition Package features some useful tweaks to the chassis, targeted at the more enthusiastic driver. So the springs, anti-roll bars and dampers are all stiffer than the normal car's, the M Dynamic Mode in the stability control system has been tweaked to focus 'more intently on delivering sporty handling' (which we take to mean it'll allow you to drift a certain amount without cutting power), the Active M Differential gets an update and so does the power steering calibration.
Sold, when does it arrive?
BMW says that the new Competition Package will be available from July 2015.
Shane O' Donoghue - 15 May 2015