The VI c was developed to complement the tank locomotives of the class VI b. Although it had a similar outward appearance, it was intended to be considerably more powerful. This was achieved primarily through the use of superheating and the higher axle loads that had now become possible. The new locomotives were designed to haul 350-ton trains at 80 km/h on level track and, on the steeper sections of the Black Forest Railway with gradients of 1.7 percent, to maintain 35 km/h with 200-ton trains. The resulting locomotives had a service weight around tonnes greater than that of the VI b due to their reinforced construction and larger supplies.

As on the predecessor, both carrying axles were designed as Adams axles, but the driving wheel diameter was increased from 1,480 to 1,600 mm, allowing a maximum speed of 90 km/h. The continuous plate frame was narrowed at both ends to accommodate the Adams axles and also carried a water tank that contributed to the frame's rigidity. In keeping with the larger driving wheels, the boiler was positioned higher, while the single steam dome, replacing the previous arrangement, became a distinguishing feature of the new locomotives. Owing to the significantly larger boiler, the boiler pressure could be reduced from 13 to 12 bars while still achieving a substantial increase in performance.

Between 1914 and 1921, a total of 135 locomotives were built in nine production batches, most of them by Karlsruhe and a smaller number by Jung. Differences existed between the batches. First, a feedwater heater was introduced; later, a steel firebox replaced the copper one; and finally, the last two batches received a strengthened frame. Thanks to their large numbers, these locomotives eventually accounted for well over half of all locomotives in Baden. After the First World War, 28 were surrendered as war reparations, while the remainder were also used in suburban services in the following years. On the Reichsbahn, all surviving locomotives were classified as classes 75⁴ and 75^10–11, the former designation applying to the lighter variants and the latter to the heavier ones. After the Second World War, the Bundesbahn took over 66 locomotives and operated them until 1969.