BMW's "terrible twins" have been officially unleashed upon us. Details of the X5 M and the X6 M have been confirmed, from the engine size and power output to styling details. It has been more than a year since speculation began over BMW M Division's first foray into the world of über SUVs. Since then spy pictures of both vehicles, together and separately, have done the proverbial rounds.
Both the X5 M and X6 M are fitted with a newly-developed 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 making a confirmed 555hp (408kW) at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 500 lb-ft (678Nm) between a very broad band of 1,500 and 5,650rpm. The turbos produce maximum boost pressure of 1.5 bar. Mated to an M engine for the first time is a 6-speed M Sports Automatic transmission with full automatic mode as well as M driving mode. The latter can be actuated with the gear lever or with paddles behind the steering wheel. The driver can rev it up all the way to the redline before changing gears without any automatic interference from the car. This is also useful for the launch control function. Combined with xDrive AWD these and other systems are said to give both cars a 0 - 60mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds. Top speeds were not given but it is safe to assume an electronically limited figure of 155mph (250km/h).
The X6's Dynamic Performance Control system is now available for the X5 M too. Working in conjunction with xDrive it assists in keeping the vehicles grounded and grip to a maximum. With a weight distribution ratio of close on 50:50 these twins are already well-balanced for performance.
The wheels are 20-inch alloys and tyres are runflat types with sizes 275/40 R 20 at the front and 315/35 R 20 at the rear. Features include ABS brakes, trailer stability control, Servotronic steering, an electronic parking brake with autohold and hill descent control. Other nice stuff includes rain sensors, cruise control, iDrive, adaptive xenon headlights and rear view cameras.
Key details- 4.4l twin-turbo V8. 1.5 Bar (21psi). Twin-scroll turbo technology.
- 555 HP @ 6000 rpm
- 501 lb-ft torque (1500rpm - 5650rpm)
- 0-60: 4.5s
- Pulse tuned exhaust manifold
- 6-Speed M Sports Automatic Transmission (with paddle shift)
- Dynamic performance control
- Nearly 50:50 weight distribution
- 20" Wheels --> Front: 275/40 R 20 and Rear: 315/35 R 20.
- M Tuned suspension: 0.4in. lower then standard
This new M engine is the world's first with a pulse-tuned exhaust manifold encompassing both rows of cylinders combined with high-performance twin-scroll twin turbo technology. Two low-mass twin-scroll turbochargers are positioned together with the catalytic converters in the "V" section between the two banks of cylinders. By reversing the flow of gases through the engine from traditional arrangements, the intake and exhaust ducts are shortened and widened. The result is that pressure losses on the exhaust side are minimized.
This configuration, known as Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold (CCM), offers quick turbo spooling, a linear build-up of engine power, and a broad, consistent torque curve by feeding each of the twin turbochargers with a "charge pulse" at approximately every 90 degrees of crankshaft rotation, rather than the more traditional "irregular schedule" of charging. Maximum boost pressure is set at 1.5bar (21psi).
Official BMW Microsite: http://www.bmw.com/com/en/general/ne...ter/index.html