AS convertibles go they don't come much more exclusive than BMW's new M6.

This high performance soft top tips the scales at £95,550 making it the most expensive M machine from the Bavarian car maker's stable.

Dressed to thrill it is a flagship model and with extras can easily break through the £100,000 barrier.

Powered by a 4.4-litre V8 developing a mighty 560bhp the M6 has true supercar credentials in a four-seat body - although realistically it will seat only two with the wind baffle deployed.

Top speed is restricted to 155mph but unleash its might and it will achieve 0 to 60 in a blink over four seconds.

It delights on the open road and roof down the M6 convertible looks a million dollars.

The growl from the quad exhausts is utterly rewarding under acceleration and even at speed there is just the right amount of bluster in the cockpit - real open air motoring fun.

Roof up - and that is an operation which takes around 15 seconds at the touch of a button - and the sound insulation is almost on par with its fixed head cousins, the M6 Coupe and the four-door Gran Coupe.

Rear visibility with the roof closed is not compromised and the rear screen can be lowered if required.

Equipped to the highest level with leather trim and BMW's online connectivity systems, the M6 convertible is a class act. The one we drove was decked out with extras such as 20-inch alloys at £1,650 and a surround view camera system which pushed the price to £100,275.

The cockpit cossets with technology with a festoon of buttons flanking the gear lever allowing for variable suspension settings, steering weight and throttle response to get the best from the car whatever the circumstances.

The driving experience is nigh on peerless, aided by paddle shifters to flick through the seven speed auto box with some venom.

Such driving though creates a thirst and although BMW claims an official fuel return of 27.4mpg with emissions of 239g/km it is easy to slip below 20 to the gallon. We managed just 19.2 on a country run.

Nevertheless the M6 is fitted with a 17.5 gallon tank making serious touring a realistic - and delightful - proposition.

The latest M6 convertible has been subtly restyled and it now looks exceptionally classy with more flowing and purposeful lines.

There is also a new-look to the trademark BMW kidney-shaped grille which - as purists will note - now has fewer slats each side to improve air flow to the engine.

Boot capacity is good for three full-sized cases at 300 litres and with the roof folding to stow behind the cockpit there is minimal intrusion when driving open.

In the heady world of ton up cars - and that's the price not the performance - this one is in a league of its own. An open top experience for a discerning audience who enjoy life at the limits.