Officially announced back in October 2014, BMW released new pictures of their mega M duo, the X5 M Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) and the X6 M Sports Activity Coupe (SAC). Sharing same platform but with individual bodystyle, both the X5 M and the X6 M are powered by the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 driving all four wheels via an eight-speed auto box.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | BMW X5 M / X6 M |
| Engine | 4,395 cc V8 TwinScroll twin-turbo |
| Transmission | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Max Power | 575 hp @ 6,000 – 6,500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 750 Nm @ 2,200 – 5,000 rpm |
EXTERIOR
The X5 and the X6 has been further beefed up externally with lovely M bits. The grille now gets twin slats with a discreet M badge but the front bumper is all-new with gaping intakes. All the matte black trims around the wheel arches, side skirts, and lower edge of the bumpers are now painted in body colour to emphasise the added sportiness of the two vehicles.
Both vehicles sit lower to the ground by 10 mm and the wheel arches are occupied by a set of 20-inch M light alloy wheels. The Air Breathers on the front fenders get highlighted in chrome, and the twin-stalk side mirrors are exclusive to these M variants too.
The back receives a new bumper with integrated diffuser as well as quad-tailpipes, but the X6 M has an extra bootlid spoiler for better stability.
INTERIOR
The base interior is shared with their vanilla counterparts, but there are quite a number of distinctive M-specific updates done to it. This includes the special M sports steering wheel with shift paddles and the M gearshift lever on the center console, and the M sports seats for the front occupants.
There’s a special M theme for the instruments, as well as the inclusion of the M Drive menu in the information display. The cabin is finished off with a dusting of letter M scattered around on the seats, steering wheel, gearlever, and door sills among others.
PERFORMANCE
Both the X5 M and the X6 M drive all four wheels using the xDrive intelligent AWD system and Dynamic Performance Control. There’s no dual-clutch transmission here, instead an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic is used to propel the duo.
All 575 hp and 750 Nm of torque are provided by the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine under the bonnet. With launch control it will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds while the top speed is limited to 250 km/h.
Three modes can be chosen from the Dynamic Stability Control: DSC on, M Dynamic Mode (MDM), and DSC off. BMW said the MDM will “allow greater wheel slip to give keen drivers the chance to execute some mild drifts”. That sure sounds fun!
WHAT ELSE?
A lenghty list of optional items are available for both X5 M and X6 M ranging from the Head-Up Display, Alcantara roof liner, ventilated seats, to a set of 21-inch wheels.
Additionally, BMW is also offering the M Performance Parts to further enhance the looks inside and out. It features items such as the blacked-out grille, carbonfibre mirror caps, carbonfibre interior trim, Alcantara steering wheel, stainless steel sports pedals, and even the M Performance floor mats.
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IMAGE GALLERY
2015 BMW X5 M
2015 BMW X6 M
2015 BMW X6 M and X5 M
