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2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe is best-performing four-door (pictures)

The new M6 features a high-tech engine and running gear that gives it multiple performance profiles, none of them particularly sedate.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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BMW's M cars focus on performance, and in recent years the company has implemented extraordinary technologies to make them drive better than just about any car on the road.
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The M6 Gran Coupe is just the latest to get BMW's full-blown M treatment. It joins the M6 Coupe and M6 Convertible in its series.
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The 4.4-liter V-8 produces 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.
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BMW adorns the fenders and rocker panels with its M logo.
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Large air intakes undercut the classic BMW kidney grille.
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This model offers LED headlights as an option.
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BMW only offers its M6 cars in rear-wheel-drive format.
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An adaptive suspension reacts to the road to improve handling.
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As the Gran Coupe, the M6 gets four doors.
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Although performance-oriented, the cabin is not devoid of comfort amenities.
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The rear seat really only holds two passengers, although BMW refers to overall capacity as "4+1."
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The three-spoke steering wheel includes standard paddle shifters.
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BMW's seven-speed DCT is an automated manual, with two computer-controlled clutches.
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BMW maintains a plain look to its instrument cluster.
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Suspension, engine, and steering all offer three settings.
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The iDrive main menu lists all the cabin tech features.
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All of the performance settings can be saved to two M buttons.
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BMW's maps look very good, and fit the car's premium segment.
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The main screen shows the stereo interface.
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An optional Bang & Olufsen audio system delivers audiophile sound quality.
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BMW ConnectedDrive lets you integrate Facebook and Twitter into iDrive.
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A variety of optional cameras, including this split front view, make parking safer.

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