Fortunately, BMW chooses not to attract undue attention to the 2006 M6’s impressive performance potential, opting instead for subtle design changes to mark the car as distinct from the 6 Series. For starters, the M6’s body is lighter through the use of aluminum, plastic, and sheet-molded compound body panels. In combination with its all-aluminum chassis and suspension, the 2006 BMW M6 boasts a power-to-weight ratio of seven pounds per horsepower, as well as a 53.5/46.5 front/rear weight distribution. Additionally, the front and rear fascias are unique to the M6, the side sills and rocker panels have a bolder design, and the roof is carbon fiber. Satin chrome window trim, M-design side mirrors, and four stainless steel exhaust outlets are also part of the package, and the M6 can be painted in several colors, four of which are exclusive to M-badged models. Clearly, though, the M Double Spoke wheels and the M badges are the most obvious tip-offs that this variant of the Six is the M6 and not the 650Ci. For now, the M6 is only available as a coupe, but a convertible is on the way, so sun worshipers should get in line for that mobile sun tanning booth now.

Inside, differences between the 650Ci and the M6 are equally subtle. Open the door, and illuminated sill trim with the M6 logo reminds the driver that this is a special BMW. Once inside and facing the tilt-and-telescopic M sport steering wheel with its thumb rests and “M” button, the driver finds a unique gauge set. Outer rings are finished in titanium, inner scale rings are illuminated, red needles point at white markings, and an M logo makes them even more distinctive. The speedometer reads to 200 mph, and the tachometer is metered up to 9,000 rpm. The M6 also includes an oil temperature display on the tachometer, and because oil temp is so critical on a vehicle like this, the driver can also program oil temperature to display in place of average speed in the trip computer. Heated M sport seats with standard 14-way power adjustment straddle the illuminated SMG gear selector, which is surrounded by Power, DSC, EDC, and SMG buttons.

Merino leather, BMW’s finest grade, covers the M6’s seats, head restraints, door panels, and center armrests in the buyer’s choice of Black, Silverstone II, or Sepang Bronze Light. The delicious full leather option expands the upholstery to the dashboard while adding coverage on the seats, doors, and center console areas. Opt for full leather and you can select from additional colors: Portland Brown and Indianapolis Red. All M6 headliners are Anthracite in color, and when full leather is specified, the pillars and roof are covered in plush Alcantara. Walnut Madeira wood is standard for the dashboard (reddish with linear grain), while Olive Carrara wood (lighter in burl pattern) or Carbon Fiber Black trim is optional. Accent trim is titanium, found on the illuminated SMG shift paddles, shift lever surround, interior door handles, and iDrive controller.

The overall effect in our test car, which was equipped with full leather and Carbon Fiber Black trim, is appropriately upscale but a tad overdone. Leather and Alcantara literally cover every surface, and while the carbon-fiber roof looks cool from the outside, the carbon-fiber trim inside borders on garish. Our test car also came equipped with a plastic cupholder perched on the center console right where a front passenger is likely to brace a leg in hard right-hand corners. It strikes us that this component will ultimately break and snap right off – good riddance, and the last we’ll be mentioning of cupholders in this review.

Of course, no critical evaluation of a high-end BMW can be complete without a discussion of iDrive. For those new to the class, iDrive is a system that bundles navigation, entertainment, communication, and assorted other functions into a single interface operated with a center-mounted controller and a large color screen at the top of the dashboard. Historically, iDrive has proven difficult to master, a distraction from the task of driving, an altogether unseemly feature from a company that touts itself as the creator of the world’s ultimate driving machines.

BMW ergonomics are frustrating to the uninitiated, but with use and time, the driver gets acclimated to the turn signal operation, the SMG shift mapping, and other quirks of the cars – but iDrive remains a mystery. When underway, this writer gets one or two screens into the system and is lost. Do I push, nudge, twist, or pull the controller to find what I’m looking for? For me, iDrive is always an exercise in trial-and-error control, and I’m usually too busy driving to spend much time digging deeper to find the right solution. What I’d really like is for BMW to add a way to tune the radio and select favorite stations from the vast expanse of real estate under the excellent climate controls that already includes a power/volume knob and CD slot. Giving the driver simple, easy access to such basic stereo operations would leave iDrive to serve as a handy map for reference, since most other functions are of the set-and-forget variety. But, since the reality is that I can’t easily operate the stereo using the existing iDrive system, I keep it turned off. Good thing the M6’s exhaust note is so incredibly luscious – no other soundtrack for the M6 driving experience is necessary.