Th BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe is a devilishly handsome car, but for those who want a version that’s more of a performance car than a grand tourer, the standard models won’t do.
But the good news is that there’s not just one, but two hyper-powered Gran Coupes to choose from – both of which are backed by BMW itself.
In the blue corner, there’s the M6, created by the German company’s own M-Division. In the white corner, there’s the B6, created by BMW’s only approved external tuning house, Alpina.
But which of the two is the one to go for, and what are the differences?
Engines
The M6 and B6 both use twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8s rated at 600bhp, but there are differences. The M6 has a twin-scroll turbocharger as opposed to the Alpina’s single scroll one, but the B6 has more torque, developing 800Nm as opposed to the M6’s 700Nm. Whichever you choose, it’ll give you a shove in the back.
Although the M6 has less torque, it’s marginally quicker from 0-60mph – 3.3 seconds as opposed to 3.7 – though the greater torque of the Alpina gives it more pulling power at higher speeds.
Styling
Both Gran Coupes retain the handsome profile of the original 6-Series, but the approaches are very different.
The M6 sits lower and has a different front diffuser, while its black five-spoke alloys and mesh grille inserts give it a menacing face.
The Alpina is a little subtler. It wears the tuning firm’s trademark 22-spoke alloys and has the standard 6-Series front end, but with an Alpina-branded front apron beneath the bumper.
On the road
Whichever you choose, both of these cars are sensational to drive, with blistering pace and a fabulous engine note. The M6 has a BMW M stainless steel exhaust, while Alpina has developed its own, and both sound terrific.
The key difference is the way in which they distribute the power and hold the road. The M6 is true to everything the BMW M Division stands for. That means it’s the ultimate iteration of performance, honed by M Sport tuning engineers to be as close to a racing machine for the road as possible.
As a result, it has incredibly sharp steering and tenacious grip, but the trade-off is a firm ride. To some, it may seem overly firm.
And that’s where the B6 comes into its own. The Alpina is a phenomenal performance car – of that, there’s no doubt. But it’s also designed to offer the ultimate in luxury – it has a more upmarket cabin than the race-inspired cockpit of the M6 and is more softly sprung.
Verdict
As a long-distance cruiser, it’s the Alpina that makes the most sense. It’s a little less hardcore; while at the same time it remaining an incredible performer. It’s an elegant and beautiful car.
The M6, however, has a special edge to it. It’s more driver focused and hardcore, as every M car should be. It’s an extremely close call, but it’s the M car that gets our vote.
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