NOW THIS IS COMMITMENT
BMW’s X5/6 M models are full-size SUVs made for both road and track
BFMW’S m-developed X5 and X6 models are made from half engineering excellence and half overkill.
Nobody really needs a 2.3-tonne SUV to be totally track capable. But megaSUVs are a big thing these days and BMW has decided to be in the game.
Not to be confused with the likes of less extreme ‘M Performance’ models like the X5 M50d or X6 M50i, these are the fullphat versions. Look for the standalone ‘M’ designation as your guarantee of quality/ insanity: X5 M, X6 M. See how that works?
These paternal twins are only now offered in New Zealand in Competition specification, with the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 cranked right up to a ludicrous 460kW. Both will do 0-100km/ h in 3.8sec: the X5 M Competition is $219,900, while the lower coupe-style X6 M variant is $225,600.
We spent a day in both on some challenging roads south of Auckland and topped our time off with a few laps of the Club Circuit at Hampton Downs.
This is not an SUV (let’s talk singular, because the X5 and X6 are identical in all but roofline and 15kg weight) you just get in and drive. BMW M has always had a penchant for complexity and this is no different. Hit the ‘Setup’ button and you immediately get 11 individual options that can be mixed and matched across five categories. Plus additional settings, like the shift aggression of the eight-speed automatic. You can even choose the level
of brake pedal response.
For road driving, it’s probably better to play around with engine and steering and leave the rest alone. On backroads, anything beyond Comfort for the suspension feels pretty edgy.
The chassis favours the rear in normal driving and there’s an Active M Differential to manage all that torque. There’s loads of extra bracing in these M-machines and the Adaptive M Suspension Professional chassis keeping the big fella flat and stable.
The lateral grip from the mixed-size tyres, AWD traction and body control give the X5/6 M a surreal cornering feel. It’s possible to arrive at a corner mighty (too?) fast, but the combination of hardware and software just send you around flat and unfussed.
Your only real chance of upsetting this SUV’s equilibrium is a track workout.
Before we hit the Club
Circuit, a word of advice from our minder, factory-certified BMW senior driving instructor Mike Eady: over-drive these things into corners and the height/weight will result in squealy understeer. Go slow in, and the power, incredible AWD system and monster tyres will make magic happen as you accelerate out.
The X5/6 M doesn’t really make sense but, if you must take your SUV to the extreme, this is the one.