The new X5 M and X6 M are the second-generation M versions, with the earlier ones having a potent 555 PS. The new ones get 575 PS and a lot more torque, too: 750 Nm of it. Of course, it really isn’t all about that. It’s more than just putting a more powerful engine in a car; it’s about setting up the car for dynamic performance in every aspect, as BMW put it.
Thus, the X M twins get sportier suspension, adaptive damping and steering, as well as M Dynamic Mode (MDM) which limits the stability and traction control to allow for the execution of power-slides and sideways drifts in the hands of those who have mastered the art. Even with a running weight of 2.3 tonnes, the X5 M and X6 M are meant to be extremely sharp, agile, and belie their weight by a noticeable margin. So how well do they do it?
We were at the Madras Motor Race Track (MMRT) in Chennai to find out. First up was the X6 M. The X6 still feels as big, tall and well-built as its less powerful diesel twin, the 40d, and it still is remarkably comfortable, with the M sports seats being the major noticeable difference in the interior. They are, however, supremely comfortable and very supportive. Funnily enough, the pace car was an X6 xDrive 40d so it would be interesting to see how well it does in comparison, although, to be fair, the 40d was being piloted by a professional from BMW’s Secret Service, while little old me was at the wheel of the M.
Both the X5 M and the X6 M have an M TwinPower Turbo 4.4-litre V8 with high-precision petrol direct injection, tuned to produce a peak 575 PS between 6,000 and 6,500 RPM, with a hefty 750 Nm of torque peaking from just 2,200 RPM and staying until 5,000. Quite! That’s enough for a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 4.2 seconds, even with over 2,400 kg on board. The X6 M puts down the power well and makes disputing that claim very tough indeed. All that output goes through the eight-speed Steptronic automatic and xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. These two are the only M cars with xDrive. It’s rear-biased, and splits the power as needed, capable of sending all of it to the rear, or to the front. Add the mixed 285/40 and 325/35 R20 rubber and it’s easy to see why power delivery is managed so very well. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h, but you’d have to be two short of a six-pack to try to come close to that figure on this track.
I, however, am far from a six-pack, but even so, I could only manage about 150 km/h on the back straight, before braking hard into the tight left-hander, urged, no less, to focus on lines and smooth driving through the corners by BMW’s secret agent.
The choice of three modes — Efficient, Sport and Sport Plus — separately configurable for the steering, suspension and engine response, together with the selectable shift types also makes for very sharp and precise handling, even for this Bavarian behemoth. All in all, there is little to fault on track, even with the massive kerb weight making you wonder what the heck you were thinking entering that last corner at triple-digit speed, even though it simply flowed through, in retrospect.
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