With the X5 M and the X6 M, BMW's Motorsport division comes around finally.
A couple of rules governed BMW’s Motorsport division: Never to 1. Use run-flat tyres on its cars 2. Offer an automatic transmission 3. Use forced induction for its engines 4. Put its hallowed insignia on large saloons like the 7 Series or SUVs like the X3, X5 or X6. Well, these rules have now been broken. You see, BMW do offer a sort of dual clutch automatic gearbox for the M3, but even that doesn’t sound like too great a sin when BMW introduced the X5 M and the X6 M at the New York Auto Show this week. Oh, and that too with twin turbo engines.
BMW has learnt from Porsche’s relentless pursuit of developing profitable SUVs like the Cayenne and four-door sedans like the Panamera that giving up on ideologies isn’t such a bad thing after all. Pure fans of the M division can cringe at the thought that there isn’t a naturally aspirated, high revving engine concept anymore. But an SUV is the last thing they expected. BMW however weren’t too concerned about this small lot; instead, they were concerned about their lack of presence in the ultra luxury SUV space, ruled by the Cayenne and Range Rover Sport.
The SUV duo retain typical M traits like the large front air-dam with a honeycomb structure, splitters, a new rear diffuser to house the four tailpipes and new M-style mirrors. You also get 20-inch M-designed wheels and tubeless tyres — and not runflats, thankfully. On the inside, it’s familiar with pretty much similar trim and fittings. Then as you run your hand across the steering wheel, you are greeted by a new button called M. When engaged, the M Dynamic mode can alter the levels of intervention of the traction control unit. What that translates to is more driver control rather than the electronic nannies needlessly stepping in when you want to have some fun.
From the 407 bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 that features in the regular X6 or 7 Series, the powertrain magicians at M’s facilities at Garching have managed to squeeze out an astonishing 555 bhp — yes, it sticks to their renowned 100 bhp per litre plus format. There’s also nearly 69 kgm of peak torque available from as low as 1750 rpm, going all the way up to 5600 rpm.
With power routed through a six-speed automatic gearbox, the transmission also features an M Sport mode that sharpens the throttle response when selected on the gate. Dynamic Performance Control, first seen on the X6, is now available on the duo and helps transfer torque to the left or right wheels depending on wheel slip and traction, thus offering better dynamic prowess.
BMW haven’t released any performance numbers on the pair yet, but 100 kph in five seconds won’t surprise us. And with these cars expected in India sometime later, expect to pay eight figure sums for these quick beasts. Now that M has done the unthinkable with SUVs, is the M7 really far behind?
