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Despite weighing 2.3 tonnes they both accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds. Photo Gallery
Mark Hinchliffe road tests and reviews the BMW X6 M at its Australian launch on the Phillip Island race track.
The description of what constitutes a high-performance BMW has just been broadened with the launch of the X6 M and X5 M. They are the first models in the 37-year history of the M range to be SUVs, turbo powered and all-wheel drive.
Prices and equipment
The four-seater X6 M is available now at a listed price of $179,900 and the five-seater X5 M is available next month at $172,900.
The non-M X6 is similarly priced higher than the X5 mainly because it has BMW's Dynamic Performance Control system that splits torque between the rear wheels for less understeer and cornering grip that defies the laws of physics.
Now both M models get DPC and the only difference between the two highly equipped vehicles is extra leather interior trim in the X6 M which has less cargo and seating space, but a more rakish style.
Drivetrains
The X M vehicles, built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, are powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 with 408kW and 680Nm making it the German marque's most powerful production engine yet.
Despite weighing 2.3 tonne they both accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds with matching fuel economy figures of 14.3 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 335g per kilometre.
BMW Group Australia product and marketing planning manager Nam Chung said the M range had introduced innovations such as four-valve technology, variable camshaft control, compound brakes and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic roof.
He said the X range would introduce cylinder block comprehensive exhaust manifold technology to the M range. This means the turbo and catalytic converters are in the V between the two rows of cylinders allowing quicker response and faster acceleration.
The new models are not only designed for performance, but also biased for rear-wheel-drive dynamics. The xDrive transmission with variable torque split has been adjusted for more rear drive orientation while the M Dynamic Mode (MDM) button on the steering wheel raises the threshold for stability control intervention for even more rear emphasis.
When MDM is selected, the head-up display in the windscreen in front of the driver will only show engine revs and speed, not sat nav controls. It also zooms in on the redline area when the vehicle is driven hard to give more detail of the approaching rev limit.
The vehicles also have electronic damping control with 10mm lower suspension, servotronic steering, 19-inch M brakes, M alloy wheels, M gills and run-flat tyres with an emergency spare.
Driving
Given its power and dynamics, the launch venue selected by BMW was Phillip Island race circuit. While the track surface is smooth and didn't reveal any harsh ride from firm suspension and run-flat tyres, it did show up the shortcomings of the vehicle under high G forces. So high that I got sore knees and elbows from bracing myself in the driver's seat.
While the cornering speeds are higher than you would expect in a high-stance SUV (or SAV for "sports activity vehicle" as BMW prefers to call them), it did swim around through the corners and understeer when pushed hard. Selecting the M button allowed the tail to step out in a smooth and controlled manner; almost in slow motion.
The X6 M showed little body roll and almost no pitch, however the high centre of gravity was prevalent under hard braking where the rear end wobbled around. There was no drive component of the launch on public roads to test the ride quality.
Engine induction and exhaust noise are raunchy yet muted with wind noise starting to drown them out from 100km/h. At high speed the head-up display of revs was handy to gauge when to change gears because you could no longer hear the engine.
Chung said typical buyers for these models would have more people in their household than 5 or 7 Series buyers, but have an income between the 5 and 7. PR and corporate communications manager Toni Andreevski said they had not yet set a target for sales. He said the X5 M would represent about 70 per cent of the sales.
"It will appeal to people sick of driving a hard-core sports car and want something with more practicality and street presence," he said. Rivals would include the Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes-Benz ML AMG, he said.
It comes in seven exterior colours, four interior trims, and three standard leather upholstery choices and five superior leather options. They both have a high level of standard equipment including Bluetooth, TV, rear camera, voice control and satnav.
BMW X6 M and X5 M
PRICES: $179,900 (X6 M), $172,900 (X5 M)
ENGINE: 4.4-litre, 4-valve, twin-scroll twin turboV8
POWER: 408kW @ 6000rpm
TORQUE: 680Nm from 1500-5650rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed auto with paddle shift, xDrive, dynamic performance control
PERFORMANCE: 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds
ECONOMY: 14.3L/100km (combined)
EMISSIONS: 335g/km
KERB WEIGHT: 2305kg
RIVALS:
Audi Q7 V12 ($254,900)
Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG ($167,500)
Porsche Cayenne Turbo ($237,200)
Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged ($159,900)
