• Bill Auberlin takes the new F12 M6 for a lap around Laguna Seca passing an Alpina B7

                    
      		   
      Published on 08-27-2012 11:24 PM
      1 Comment Comments
      The new M6 is not exactly what you would call a lightweight track car but we still expect the new M cars to be able to perform on the track. In the video below race car driver Bill Auberlin (a current BMW ALMS driver) takes the M6 for a lap around Laguna Seca passing an Alpina B7 in the process which was actually doing an admirable job holding the M6 off. Of course the M6 is able to eventually pass and show what it can do.

      The M6 does well on the track but there are a couple moments where you can see its heft. Bill seems to go a bit wide notably on the last turn but manages the famed corkscrew beautifully. Clearly the video proves the M6 is capable on the track but we wonder how many laps he could actually do before the brakes faded stopping all that weight or the car went into limp mode?

      The video is worth watching for some great shots and we wonder how they got the angle directly in front of the car. When the view switches to the point of view of the car whatever is recording from the front is gone, definitely well done.



      This article was originally published in forum thread: Bill Auberlin takes the new F12 M6 for a lap around Laguna Seca passing an Alpina B7 started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 10 Comments
      1. leo985i's Avatar
        leo985i - 08-27-2012, 11:24 PM
        That car is so massive, you can feel the weight of the vehicle by just watching the video. The driver does a great job though at maneuvering that whale.
      1. LZH's Avatar
        LZH - 08-28-2012, 01:33 AM
        Bill is a damn good driver - I worked with him for 4 years in Grand Am when he drove for us. running that pig around LS is no easy task LOL.
      1. singletrack's Avatar
        singletrack - 08-28-2012, 01:20 PM
        Awesome looking car. Looks like it handles well for its size. He did go long braking on that one turn...surprised they left that in there.

        I really hate the lift-off fart from that engine. Why on earth did BMW not tune that out in the sound studio?
      1. Sorena's Avatar
        Sorena - 08-28-2012, 02:13 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by singletrack Click here to enlarge
        Awesome looking car. Looks like it handles well for its size. He did go long braking on that one turn...surprised they left that in there.

        I really hate the lift-off fart from that engine. Why on earth did BMW not tune that out in the sound studio?
        It's due the unussual cross shaped manifolds. Kills the exhaust sound (The engine sound is good to be honest). I've heard an X6M with open downpipes (nothing was attached to the DP's) and it had the same exact soulless sound it makes with full OEM exhaust. I won't be surprised if in future, someone ditches the OEM manifolds and make normal manifolds like the ones in N63.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 08-28-2012, 03:49 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sorena Click here to enlarge
        I won't be surprised if in future, someone ditches the OEM manifolds and make normal manifolds like the ones in N63.
        Can't do that, would kill the whole point of the motor setup and the power.
      1. whoosh's Avatar
        whoosh - 08-28-2012, 05:00 PM
        Missed the apex in 2, and completely blew 11. The car definitely needs a diet, but I suppose for a 6'er it's somewhat forgivable.
      1. deemo319's Avatar
        deemo319 - 08-29-2012, 12:24 PM
        The F12 M6 Cabriolet and F13 M6 Coupe are GT cars, not a Porsche GT3 RS track day demon. They are heavy. Just stop with the all the diet talk. GT cars are big heavy cars, plain and simple. The E31 8 Series was heavy when released in 1990 for the 1991 model year. They have always been heavy. They have dual personalities and are laden with the requisite accoutrement's to carry them out. It is what it is. They look great to me.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 08-29-2012, 12:26 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by deemo319 Click here to enlarge
        The F12 M6 Cabriolet and F13 M6 Coupe are GT cars, not a Porsche GT3 RS track day demon. They are heavy. Just stop with the all the diet talk. GT cars are big heavy cars, plain and simple. The E31 8 Series was heavy when released in 1990 for the 1991 model year. They have always been heavy. They have dual personalities and are laden with the requisite accoutrement's to carry them out. It is what it is. They look great to me.
        I think the issue is more lightweight materials are available than in 1990 and 4400 pounds or so for the F13 is a little hard to swallow considering all wheel drive German luxury sedans weigh less.

        Regardless, BMW is not making their cars lighter which is the underlying point unlike their competition.
      1. deemo319's Avatar
        deemo319 - 08-31-2012, 10:00 AM
        They are half of a BMW generation away from real light-weight materials throught the cars. The next 7 Series will lead like it should and trickle down quickly. BMW's been heavy, nothing new there.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 08-31-2012, 12:20 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by deemo319 Click here to enlarge
        They are half of a BMW generation away from real light-weight materials throught the cars. The next 7 Series will lead like it should and trickle down quickly. BMW's been heavy, nothing new there.
        Well BMW was lighter than Audi and Mercedes for... forever.