Hilarious replies but I think we're being a bit harsh on OP. Of course the BS about exclusivity and drag racing makes no sense at all...but:
For me, the "doppelendrohr" i.e. double tailpipe, symbolizes the classic R6. BMW's exhaust policy used to be something like this:
single tailpipe -> 4 cylinder
double tailpipe -> 6 cylinder
quad tailpipe -> M
So, for a BMW connoisseur, even a debadged R6 was instantly recognizable.
I do think that this is more of a european thing because for most americans, 6 cylinder engines are nothing special. Unlike Europe where 4 cylinder cars account for at least 90% of sales.
So I am a bit nostalgic for the fact that BMW dropped their policy, but they probably had to. Even run of the mill Peugeot's, Renaults and Opels nowadays pack 2 tailpipes so BMW had to sex up the 520d.
