BMW Group Australia are rolling out their most powerful letter – M, in mammoth SUV form. They are the X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition, priced from $209,900 and $213,900 respectively.
The local BMW arm says both vehicles will be offered in Australia – for the first time – in Competition guise only, and will be delivered in May. Obviously, these two being Competition-spec models, they are going to be just that bit more hardcore when compared to a ‘regular’ BMW M SUV.
For starters, both models get a 37kW power hike over the previous generation X5 M and X6 M. The Bavarian automaker is claiming the duo to have the most powerful engine in the segment, which is a 4.4-litre BMW M TwinPower Turbo V8 unit that chucks out 460kW of power and 750Nm of torque. Power is channelled to the xDrive system via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and M control, just like the M8 Competition.
The tower of power under the bonnet allows the duo to rocket to 100 km/h from standstill in just 3.8 seconds, which considering their almost 2.3-ton kerb weights, makes it a rather impressive accomplishment. Furthermore, BMW says the design of the new engine, which houses the twin-scroll turbochargers within the V of the engine, aids in delivering better response and efficiency.
The S63 engine also features a forged crankshaft and an oil supply system derived from motorsports. It integrates active suction in the oil sump for ‘spirited’ drives and on track action. The race car tech doesn’t just end there, both these cars have up to 10 coolers including two liquid-cooled turbo intercoolers and oil coolers for the engine and transmission.
No V8-powered SUV would be complete without a set of pipes that announces its arrival every time you flex your toe. In this case, the M Sport exhaust has four 100mm black chrome tailpipes to show off the engine’s grunt and soundtrack.
Both SUVs sit on a chassis enhanced with Adaptive M Suspension Professional which gives drivers multiple drive modes and a direct M Servotronic steering system with Comfort and Sport settings.
The duo sit on rubber measuring 295/35 ZR21 up front and 315/30 ZR22's out back and wrapped around M light alloy wheels. The sticky tyres are paired up to 395mm drilled and ventilated brake rotors on the front axle while the rear gets 380mm discs. This amount of stopping power means both cars can stop from 100 km/h in just 32 metres, BMW claims.
Inside, the both M-powered SUVs get a suite of advanced driver safety systems such as BMW Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant Plus and BMW Live Cockpit Professional with twin 12.3-inch screens for displaying the instruments and infotainment.
The BMW X5 M and X6 M Competition are available to order, with deliveries scheduled for early May this year.
- BMW X5 M Competition - $209,900
- BMW X6 M Competition - $213,900
For the best deal on your next brand-new car and more information on BMW, please visit our Showroom.
