BMW Cars: The X5 M and X6 M Are Back

BMW Motorsport (M) this week revealed all of the details about its latest M series vehicles. The BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M are back and sporting more power than ever. BMW is referring to the latest revisi...
BMW Cars: The X5 M and X6 M Are Back
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  • BMW Motorsport (M) this week revealed all of the details about its latest M series vehicles. The BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M are back and sporting more power than ever.

    BMW is referring to the latest revisions of the X5 and X6 as a generational shift. Both vehicles combine aspects of BMW X vehicles with performance enhancements from BMW Motorsport. The manufacturer claims that both vehicles are capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in just four seconds thanks to their eight-speed “M Steptronic” transmissions.

    BMW teased the reveal earlier this week with a YouTube video posted to its BMW M YouTube channel:

    This was followed up with the official reveal trailer, casting the vehicles as technology worthy of Area 51:

    The X5 is being marketed as a sports activity vehicle (SAV) while the X6 is being marketed as a sports activity coupe (SAC). Even so, most of the options available for each are the same.

    The new versions of both the X5 and X6 will have BMW M’s TwinPower Turbo V8 engine. BMW claims this is the most powerful engine it has ever developed for an all-wheel-drive vehicle. The 4.4-liter engine tops out at 567 horsepower at between 6,000 rpm and 6,500 rpm.

    Both vehicles also have several features taken from more powerful BMW M vehicles. The X5 and the X6 have front tires chosen for steering precision while the rear tires were chosen for traction. The vehicles’ “M Servotronic” steering allows drivers to choose from three different steering options: “comfort,” “sport,” and “sport+.” The surface of the brake pads seen in the new X5 and X6 are 50 percent larger than those found in previous versions of the vehicles.

    The new vehicles also have what BMW is calling “dynamic stability control” (DSC). This system is used to prevent oversteer and understeer, but a special “M dynamic mode” allows for some wheel slip, meaning drivers will be able to drift a bit with the reassurance that the DSC will keep things from getting out of control. BMW is heavily touting this drifting feature in its new marketing:

    Both the X5 and the X6 should, according to BMW, go on sale in the U.S. sometime next spring. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the X5 is $99,650 while the X6 has been priced at $103,050.

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