Automotive

BMW's V8-powered X5 M and X6 M will get the kids to school on time

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The new X5 M and X6 M are powered by a 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine
The new X5 M and X6 M are powered by a 4.4-liter V8
Both M cars feature large front air intakes
The cars' V8 engine is twin-turbocharged
BMW has fitted the cars with launch control
The xDrive all-wheel drive system on both cars is rear-biased
The new X5 M and X6 M go from 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds
The X5 M weighs well over 2,000 kg
The X5 M is fitted with 20-inch wheels
Pirelli P Zero tires are standard
BMW has upgraded the X5's brakes for the new M car
The X5's kidney grille is classic BMW
A quad exhaust system helps the V8 breathe more easily
X5 Ms sit 10 mm lower than standard cars
Foglights are standard on the X5 M
A rear diffuser makes the car seem wider and lower on the road
BMW claims that the X5 M will drift with all the driver aids switched off
A small flap in the front air intakes helps reduce aerodynamic lift
Inside, the X5 M is fitted with sports seats
The X5 M is available with a HUD
The X5 M's "air breather" carries over from the standard car
BMW M's kidney grille is similar to that on the M5, with double bars
The cars' V8 produces 750 Nm of torque
Headlamp washers are standard on all X5 M models
The X5 M makes its debut at the LA Auto Show
The new BMW X5 M
The new BMW X5 M
The new BMW X5 M
Top speed is limited to 250 km/h
Fuel economy is pegged at 11.1 L/100 km
BMW claims its SUV is at home on the racetrack
The X6 M takes the X5 platform and replaces the body with a swoopy, coupe-style setup
The X6 M's V8 is 20 percent more efficient than the engine it replaces
Foglamps are standard on the X6 M
The rear is where the X6 differentiates itself from the X5
Large air intakes feed BMW M's uprated brakes and engine
The X6 M emits 258 g/km of CO2
The BMW X6 M's exhaust is controlled electronically
All X6 Ms are fitted standard with air suspension
A revised front suspension setup helps with stable cornering
At the rear, the X6's diffuser provides a wide, low stance
BMW has even fitted the X6 with knee pads
M Sport seats are standard
The 8-speed gearbox is a traditional torque convertor, not a double-clutch unit
A quad-exhaust system helps convey the X6 M's sporting credentials
A rear spoiler differentiates the X6 M from standard cars
The BMW X6 M
Launch control is standard on the new X6 M
The X6's coupe roofline impacts on rear headroom and boot space
The X6 M is 10 kg lighter than the X5
The X6's iDrive system will pair with an iPhone app that gives a detailed breakdown of your laptimes
The BMW X6 M
The X6 M's air intakes contain the same flap as the X5
The X6's 4.4-liter V8 features a forged crankshaft
The new X5 M and X6 M are powered by a 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine
View gallery - 54 images

Set to debut at next month's LA auto show, BMW's new X5 M and X6 M both powered by a 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 423 kW (575 hp) between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm. The engine also produces 750 Nm (553 ft lb) of torque from just 2,200 rpm, which is 70 Nm more than BMW’s previous generation of SUVs produced.

Even though the V8 engine is making more torque, the new X5 and X6 M use 20 percent less fuel than their predecessors, with claimed combined economy pegged at 11.1 L/100 km (25.5 mpg) and CO2 figures of 258 g/km. The SUVs’ 4.4-liter V8 is packing some interesting tech, including a lightweight forged crankshaft and extremely stiff closed-deck crankcase, which allows higher cylinder pressures for a better power output. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

A small flap in the front air intakes helps reduce aerodynamic lift

The V8 breathes through an electronically-controlled quad-exhaust system, which gets louder when the car is in its sportier drive modes, while power is channeled through an 8-speed torque-convertor gearbox – not the M DCT double-clutch gearbox from the M3 and M4.

Improved fuel economy has not made the X5 or X6 M slow – with launch control enabled, both cars will sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.2 seconds, despite the all-wheel drive X5’s portly 2,275 kg (5,016 lb) curb weight.

Making a heavy car handle well is no mean feat, especially when the car in question has a high center of gravity. To keep the X5 and X6’s handling in check, BMW’s M division has modified the car’s front double-wishbone suspension setup, with more camber on the upper wishbone and stiffer bearings allowing flatter, more stable direction changes. The standard X5 and X6’s xDrive system has also been adjusted for a more rear-biased setup, and BMW even claims that with all driver assists turned off, the SUVs will drift.

Foglamps are standard on the X6 M

Both cars sit on stiffer suspension than the standard cars, with a ride that’s 10 mm lower, while both models come standard with air suspension that levels itself at the rear – perfect for carrying big loads in the boot. The suspension system’s setup, like most aspects of the car, can be adjusted into three different modes depending on the type of driving you’re doing.

Standard on both the X5 M and X6 M are 20-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires measuring 285/40 up front and 325/35 at the rear, with an option of 21-inch lightweight wheels and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

Stopping a 2-tonne, V8-powered SUV isn’t easy, so BMW’s high-performance SUVs are both fitted with 6-piston brake calipers up front and single-piston floating rear calipers, which clamp on brake discs that are 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) lighter than those on the outgoing car.

The 8-speed gearbox is a traditional torque convertor, not a double-clutch unit

To differentiate the X5 M and X6 M from their tamer siblings, BMW has fitted them with larger front air intakes and a rear diffuser that helps create a wide, low stance. As well as making the cars look more aggressive, the air intakes feed the faster X5 and X6’s larger engine and bigger brakes, while the wide intakes built into the front bumper hide a flap that reduces lift at high speeds.

Inside, BMW has fitted both models with M sports seats, an M Sport dashboard and special sill-plates with (you guessed it) the M logo imprinted on them. In a possible statement of sporting intent, the X5 M and X6 M are also fitted with knee pads on the center console.

BMW has even fitted the X6 with knee pads

Drivers who take their cars to the track can even keep track of their lap times through an iPhone app, which allows users to analyze throttle position, steering angle and which gear the car was in at any point on the track. BMW didn’t mention whether or not the same technology could be applied to the school run.

The X5 M and X6 M will make their debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show, which kicks off on 21 November.

Source: BMW

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8 comments
CGPando
Inappropriate headline, if not to say stupid: Not a nice idea mixing children and high speed. Just change it for safely and it gets better.
steveraxx
Three different BMW's, all had far too many cheap plastic parts which lead to catastrophic failures. Adequate car if you do what most people do now and that is lease. Own a BMW long term? You had better be a more than adequate mechanic, or be willing to payout large sums to keep your poorly engineered BMW on the road.
My 1962 Impala SS 409 is still faster in the quarter than an M-5; and has far more visual panache.
Michael Ronneseth
Impala faster than an M5 GET REAL! At best the 409 is a 14-15 second bathtub, I say bathtub because it handles almost as well as one. Beautiful? absolutely! but comparing these cars is ridiculous. The M5 can dust most corvettes WITH the family inside. It's almost twice as fast to 60 and it's 2 - 3 seconds faster in the 1/4 than your Impala, which may as well be next week in 1/4 mile times. There's no comparison, one is a giant unsophisticated hunk of iron, the other a thoroughbred by all comparison methods (and always has been the benchmark) Beauty, we'll that's another thing altogether, many older American muscle cars are Damn good looking but then again that goes almost across the board, most new cars will never be cool classics, that era is sadly long gone.
Bill Bennett
Horrible headline, Honda just had TV ads here showing parents skidding into the school parking lot in their "fast" Honda, most distasteful.
Michael Wilson
Headline was ok, but I would prefer racing my kids to school in a fast wagon. I suppose some like SUVs though, otherwise the category of vehicle would not exist. Why do so many brits hate speed?
nutcase
It is very sad that such obscenely over powered pieces of crap like this are so fashionable.
YouAre
@nutcase - or that's what the makers wants us to believe
Captain Danger
@YaraG / nutcase
Power never goes out of style.