BMW has already launched its new X5 and X6 M, and for the first time BMW’s performance division has asked to work its magic on what the German carmaker calls Sport Activity Vehicles – was staged recently in Atlanta and included a session at Road Atlanta race track.
The 5 Series Gran Turismo was revealed in production form too, but available only for brief test rides at the BMW Performance Centre adjacent to the Spartanburg, South Carolina plant.
BMW has launched its first foray into the sport Ute market in late 1990s, followed by the second generation in 2007. It spawned the X6, with its four-passenger cabin and coupe-on-steroids styling.
Both the BMWs having a remarkable result in terms of speed: a two-and-a-half-ton vehicle that can scramble to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, hit 250 km/h and, according to BMW’s claims, set faster lap times on the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit than the previous generation M3.
In order to maximize the performance of X6 M, the development team redesigned it with the addition of the latest 4.4-litre, twin-cam V8 used in the X6 xDrive50i and BMW 750i, which features a pair of twin-scroll turbochargers, exhaust plumbing and catalytic converters shoehorned into the vee between the cylinder banks.
As the M division cleaned and keeps the engine smooth, allowing it to produce 555 hp at 6,000 rpm and 500 lb.-ft. of torque – the latter available from just 1,500 rpm.
The X6 M’s fuel economy with 2,415 kg of heft to haul around, isn’t its strong suit. It has been rated at 19.3 L/100km urban (city) and 10.8 L/100km extra-urban (highway) on the European cycle.
All the re-featured X6, six-speed paddle-shift-equipped automatic transmits all this power to an M-modified version of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. And its suspension has been upgraded for 10-mm reduction in ride height and revised steering, plus track-tuned electronic damping control and roll stabilization.
Re-calibrated electronic security intrudes the fun further up of fear level scale. Huge discs with four-piston calipers all but fill the space in the 20-inch alloy wheels up front; tires are 275/40R20 front and 315/35R20 rear.
Other changes include larger air inlets in the front fascia up front, M-badged fender gills, and a unique rear-end treatment with dual exhaust outlets. The interior gets body-gripping sports seats, a thick, leather-clad steering wheel, a unique instrument array and M-style dead pedal and kick plates.
On the road the X6 M – ultimate in sporty engine and suspension settings – is more than civilized in terms of ride and general drivability. Its level of straight-line acceleration and cornering agility were simply astonishing on the track at Road Atlanta.
A full four-wheel drift exit from a third-gear corner in a 2.5-ton crossover vehicle is a unique experience.
While the BMW’s GT is based on a modified 7 Series platform (on which the next-gen 5 Series will also be based) and is powered by the 4.4-litre, 400-hp, 450-lb.-ft. V8 twin-turbo used in the 7 Series and X6. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A six-cylinder version will follow.
The 2010 BMW X6 M may be costing $99,900 base price.
Specifications: – AWD luxury crossover vehicle, Engine: 4.4L, 32-valve DOHC V8 twin-turbocharged; Power/Torque: 555 hp/550 lb.-ft; Six-speed automatic transmission; 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds; 19.3 / 10.8 L/100 km fuel consumption. Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, Porsche Cayenne Turbo S are among the rivals of BMW.
