GERMAN carmaker BMW has unveiled its new 6 Series flagship, the M6.

Like the recently-launched M5, the firm's new super coup shares the high-performance 5 Series' all-new V10 engine and boasts a sub-five-second time for the nought to 60mph sprint.

Although the M6 doesn't go on sale until late 2005, BMW is already making bold claims about its new model.

Capable of reaching 60mph in 4.4 seconds, during tests at the famous Nrburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany, the car was said to have regularly clocked impressive eight-minute laps.

Top speed for the M6 is limited to 155mph, but, derestricted, BMW says the M6 is capable of cracking the 200mph barrier.

Like the M5, the M6 uses BMW's third-generation seven-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), complete with steering wheel-mounted paddle-shift levers.

Six change patterns are available in the manual mode and five in the "automatic" mode, in which the gearbox will automatically select the most appropriate gear depending on driving conditions.

The suspension of the new M6 (pictured above) is based on the standard 645Ci geometry.

However, the new M6 differentiates itself from the 6 Series by a deeper front valance, with air intakes for the engine and brakes, more contoured sills and a rear valance that includes a diffuser to increase aerodynamic efficiency.

Nestling under the rear valance are BMW M's tell tale four rear exhaust pipes.

Inside, the car comes with fully adjustable, leather-trimmed sports seats.

Prices have yet to be announced but, if the M5's premium over regular 5 Series is anything to go buy, you'll need to dig deep for this coup.