When the boffins at BMW M GmbH launched the M versions of their X5 and X6, I really wondered if they had too much time on their hands and just decided to up the ante in those markets. Now this time around, they decided to stick around in that market segment and launched a new version of their X5 M and X6 M.
I guess it does has a certain appeal to the market.
But funnily enough, the only thing which sets these two apart is just their designs. Both achieve the century sprint of 0-100kph in 4.2 seconds and both uses the 8-speed M Steptronic gearbox. Both uses the 4.4L V8 engine with a pair of TwinScroll turbo charges spewing out 575hp and Earth twisting 750Nm. Insane indeed, especially for a SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) or SAC (Sports Activity Coupe). What are you going to use that power for? Taxi 747’s on the runway? I bet it can.
Other than a plethora of M performance bits or M styling around the car, both these cars come with 20-inch rims with an option to upgrade to forged 21-inch rims. By plethora I meant the M instrument cluster, M leather steering wheel with aluminium gearshift paddles and M gearshift lever – which works in the same way as the familiar M Double Clutch Transmission (but also constantly reminding you that your model doesn’t have that double clutch) – are complemented by electrically operated M sports seats for the driver and front passenger, an M driver’s footrest and the optional Head-Up Display which, in addition to the standard system, also includes an M-specific display with gear indicator, rev band and shift lights.
In order to keep everything running cool whilst whizzing through the streets, the boffins at M created new radiators to maintain the engine’s temperature even when pushing the car to the max. This also includes the turbo charger’s charged air and transmission oil.
Let’s talk about it’s 8-speed M Steptronic gearbox, while BMW M has given other M models the courtesy of a double clutch transmission, this time around the DriveLogic 8-speed M Steptronic is offered which sort of mimics the characteristics of the double clutch gearbox. The driver can also use the three-stage Drivelogic function to choose whether to prioritise fuel economy, comfort or sports performance. This function is available both in automatic mode and in sequential SPORT mode.
In order to also control all of that power, the X5 M and X6 M features the xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive and Dynamic Performance Control system. The xDrive system employs an electronically controlled multiplate clutch to allow fully variable distribution of drive between the front and rear axles – from 100 per cent at the rear to up to 100 per cent at the front. This ensures the best possible traction in all road conditions. In the interests of greater agility, xDrive brings a rear-biased basic set-up to the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M.
The driving dynamics system Dynamic Performance Control oversees the continuous distribution of drive between the rear wheels – both under load and on the overrun – regardless of engine output. Working in combination with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the result is a whole new bracket of dynamic flair, agility and traction. Or in layman terms, the car is smart enough to transfer power and load to any of the required wheels. The car follows the course set by the driver far more accurately, whatever the road surface, and the system also reduces the amount of wheel work required of the driver: the steering responds more directly and far fewer corrections are necessary. Moreover, the inherent propensity of conventional all-wheel-drive vehicles to understeer is eliminated. An improvement in traction is also impressively noticeable (on road surfaces BMW with differing friction levels, in particular), and active safety.
That is a whole lot of features for I guess a group of people if they can afford this car, might not even fully utilize every bit of it. But at the end of the day, the BMW’s M will always be an M. Oh yes, about the Nurburgring, Sport Auto (sorry guys its in German) had a report that quoted the project leader of the X5 M and X6 M, Herbert Bayerl. He said that the new cars will beat the Range Rover Sport’s time on the ring and is equivalent to the performance of the E9x M3 around the ring. The E92 M3 set a time of 8:05 at the Nurburgring back in 2007.
But what is the point of trashing the SAC on the track? Over here, I guess the appeal is being able to beat the floods whilst eagerly being one of the fastest vehicles on the highway.
BMW X5 M Gallery
BMW X6 M Gallery
