2006 BMW 6-Series in Humble

Hunger for more power and torque is insatiable, despite ever-increasing traffic densities and speed restrictions around the world. At least, that's the message relayed by the German auto industry, which continues to up the ante at a breathtaking pace. Just look at the 469-hp Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG and the 500-hp BMW M6-which are themselves merely starting points for more developments in this insane race. In the next two years, BMW will introduce a lightweight M6 CSL with about 550 hp and an even more powerful M6 GTR track special. Over at AMG, look for a 503-hp CLS63 AMG and a positively steroidal, 621-hp CLS65 AMG.

There is certainly no shortage of polarizing extremes between the CLS55 AMG and the M6: manu-matic or sequential-manual transmission; high torque or high revs; optimized ride or maximum grip; perfect balance or ultimate involvement; pragmatic beauty or focused fashion; and, of course, supercharged V-8 or normally aspirated V-10. In a way, these approaches sum up the divergent paths that BMW's M Division and Mercedes-Benz's AMG in-house tuner have always taken. These cars aren't as extreme as the AMG Hammer and the race-tuned E30-series BMW M3, but one is a tuned production car, the other more like a detuned racer.

Both cars look terrific. BMW's Chris Bangle has given the M6 its share of flaming surfaces, the nostrils of a race car, and a trunk lid reminiscent of an aircraft carrier's launch pad. Very moderne. M-B's Peter Pfeiffer created a wow-effect crossbreed of a coupe and a sedan, suitably beefed up with aerodynamic add-ons for the AMG version.... Read full article