Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

BMW M bundles supercar-like performance into the X5 and the X6

Ronan Glon
By
1 of 17
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x5m
Image used with permission by copyright holder

BMW’s M division recently hinted it won’t make another station wagon, but it plans to continue injecting racing DNA into SUVs. The third-generation X5 and X6 are the latest off-roaders to receive the full M treatment. Both offer substantially more power than the models they’re based on, tech features developed with speed in mind, and an aggressive-looking design to match.

Recommended Videos

The X5 and the X6 are closely related under the sheet metal, so few will be surprised to find out the M-tuned variants look nearly identical on paper. Both receive a 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbocharged to make 600 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 553 pound-feet of torque over a broad range that stretches from 1,800 to 5,690 rpm. The optional Competition package available from launch bumps horsepower to 617, while torque stays flat.

Related

Power flows through an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a sportier evolution of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. The sprint from zero to 60 mph takes 3.8 seconds with the 600-hp engine, while the additional 17 horses shave a split second from that time, which is a rounding error at best. Both Ms are limited to 155 mph, but buyers who pay extra for the M Driver’s Package can reach 177 mph.

Stuffing a 600-hp engine in an SUV is a recipe for disaster if the power isn’t kept in check. To that end, M added extra chassis bracing, redesigned the suspension, and installed a firmer, speed-sensitive steering setup. The bigger brakes are controlled via an electric actuator with two settings called comfort and sport, respectively. This technology modifies the brake pedal’s response. It’s more immediate in sport mode, and more relaxed when the driver selects comfort mode.

1 of 8
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x6m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x6m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x6m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x6m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x6m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x6m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x6m
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2020 bmw x5 m x6 get 600 horsepower v8 competition package x6m
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The design changes are visible but discreet; stylists refrained from adding park bench-sized wings, and useless vents. The front end receives bigger vents that direct cooling air into the engine compartment, while the back end gets a diffuser flanked by quad exhaust tips. M-specific emblems and other add-ons (like a grille with double bars) add a finishing touch to the look.

While the cabin receives a handful of M-designed accents, the most notable difference between the Ms and the regular SUVs they’re based on is seen when the two 12.3-inch screens come to life. One replaces the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, and the other displays the infotainment system. Both feature new menus, and redesigned graphics that provide performance-related information like a g-force meter, a turbo boost gauge, and a tire pressure gauge. Bluetooth connectivity, two USB-C ports, and navigation come standard on both SUVs.

Built in South Carolina, BMW’s hot-rodded SUVs will go on sale in early 2020. Pricing starts at $105,100 for the X5 M, and $114,100 for the Competition model. The X6 M and X6 M Competition are priced at $108,600 and $117,600, respectively. None of the aforementioned figures include a mandatory $995 destination charge. When they arrive, they’ll face competition from Mercedes-AMG’s V8-powered GLE.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon
Contributor
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
BMW argues bigger is better as it gives the X1 crossover a nip-and-tuck
2020 bmw x1 gets new look front end interior upgrades official 2

Previous

Next

Read more
Parents will never miss soccer practice with BMW’s new 523-horsepower SUVs
2020 BMW X7 M50i

The BMW M badge was originally reserved for the automaker's most hardcore performance cars, but lately, BMW has been less discerning. In addition to applying the M badge to SUVs, BMW launched an M Performance line of cars that are sportier than its regular models, but not up to the standards of full-on M vehicles. The latest models to get the M Performance treatment are the X5 and X7 SUVs. We can already hear the howls of purists.

The 2020 BMW X5 M50i and X7 M50i use the same engine, itself an upgrade of the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 already used in both SUVs. The M Performance version of the engine produces 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, increases of 67 hp and 74 lb-ft over the standard X5 and X7. That will get the X5 M50i from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, according to BMW, while the larger X7 M50i takes 4.5 seconds. Top speed for both vehicles is electronically limited to 130 mph with all-season tires or 155 mph with summer performance tires.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more