All About Japan Autos

Say it ain’t so! BMW is discontinuing its high-performance, 500-horsepower M6 model.

“Like it or not, it’s officially time to say auf wiedersehen to the potent M6. BMW has just announced that it has ceased production of both the M6 coupe and convertible, writes Autoblog. “The uniquely styled GT cars primarily found favor here in the U.S., with a total of 3,528 of the hardtops and 3,247 convertibles sold on American soil. In total, the company managed to sell 14,152 of the cars since production of the M6 started in 2005.”

Along with the M6, BMW is discontinuing its muscular V10 engine — “apparently in an effort to refocus on more fuel-efficient eight-cylinder power plants,” writes Edmunds.

“When BMW unleashed its massive 5.0-liter V-10, it was one of the first naturally aspirated engines to produce 100 horsepower per liter,” explains Automobile Magazine. “The engine features individual throttle butterfly valves for all ten of its cylinders, helping it to pump out a tire-shredding 500 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. With fuel cut-off set for 8250 rpm, to say the engine’s noise is unruly is an understatement.”

The M6 and its powerplant will be missed. However, BMW is already making plans to unveil its next-generation 6-Series at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. With any luck, a new high-performance model will be unveiled as well.

In the meantime, if you’ve got the cash, be sure to pick up an M6 before it’s too late. Maybe it will become a collector’s item.

If you’re in the market for a new or used car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.