Add to favorites Examiner Bio

BMW X6 M and BMW X5 M will debut at New York Auto Show, because that's what they do

Asked why he climbed Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary responded, “Because it’s there.” Asked why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton replied, “Because that’s where the money is.” Ask BMW why the BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M and the answer is likely to be, “because that’s what we do.”

 

BMW is introducing hyper-performance versions of its X5 and X6 “activity vehicles” at the New York Auto Show in a move that should hardly seem surprising, considering the Bavarian automobile’s history of whipping up M versions of just about every product wearing its blue-and-white roundel.  

 

The X5 and X6 are no different. Says the company:

 

“Now the BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M are the first all-wheel-drive models to offer the remarkable performance, dynamic driving experience, athletic design, and premium quality of a BMW M product.”

 

BMW’s M division has developed a new 555 horsepower version of its 4.4-liter turbos-in-the-vee V-8 that can launch either vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Such prodigious performance—neither vehicle is a lightweight—is made possible by the standard all-wheel drive but also the engine’s 500 lb-ft of torque spread from 1500 to 5,650 rpm. BMW calls it “the world’s first with a pulse-tuned exhaust manifold encompassing both rows of cylinders combined with high-performance twin-scroll twin turbo technology.”

 

 

The engine is a development of BMW’s “reverse-flow” V-8—the intake tracts are outside the vee, where the intakes traditionally are, and the exhaust inside, replacing the usual intake manifold. The exhaust feeds two turbos, as in the 4.4-liter V-8 that debuted in the 2008 BMW X6 xDrive 5.0i. BMW’s M division has optimized the turbochargers by timing the arrival of the exhaust pulses:

 

“The new M V8 engine with twin-scroll twin turbo technology uses a single exhaust manifold with tuned-length runners, incorporating both cylinder banks and connecting cylinders in carefully-selected pairs. This configuration, patented by BMW M and known as Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold (CCM), offers lightning-quick response, 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.”

 

The exhaust manifold actually keeps the runners from each bank separate all the way to the turbo inlet to prevent cylinder-to-cylinder backpressure from forming. BMW also manages to pack two high-capacity water-to-air intercoolers betwixt cylinder head and turbo. The engines feature direct injection as well as an on-demand electric fuel pump, an on-demand air conditioner compressor, and a flow-controlled supply of hydraulic fluid to the active roll stabilization system.

 

The active roll stabilization system is part of the revamped suspension system concocted to keep the BMW X5 M and X6 M under control. The Dynamic Performance Control that debuted under X6 xDrive 5.0i is at the heart of the suspension control, according to BMW, “vectoring of torque between the right and left rear wheels (both on throttle and off) significantly improves steering precision and tracking stability at all speeds.” Putting more torque to the outside pushes the vehicle the other way.

 

Active roll stabilization is part of BMW’s Adaptive Drive that also includes electronic shock absorber control. Adaptive Drive uses what BMW calls “FlexRay data transmission protocol” that allows extremely rapid response, allowing the rear suspension to react to input from the front wheels before the rear wheels get to where the front wheels were when they sent the message.

 

BMW’s transmission for the X5 M and X6 M has manual paddle shifting that’s quicker than previous transmission by reducing torque via momentary deactivation of individual cylinders.

 

The transmission also has a special “launch mode”:

 

“To activate Launch Control, the driver stops the vehicle, moves the gear selector into the M/S position and activates the Sports Power mode, as well as the M Dynamic mode, or respectively, the DSC-Off mode. Then, with the transmission in stage M1, the driver presses down the brake pedal and moves the accelerator to at least 60% throttle, setting Launch Control to standby. Standby status is confirmed by “starter’s flag” symbol in the instrument cluster. As soon as the driver releases the brake pedal, the vehicle will accelerate with full power in “genuine racing style.” In the process, the M Sports Automatic transmission automatically upshifts at the ideal points, with the fastest possible shifts and optimum wheelspin control. The driver may terminate the Launch Control process at any time by reducing the throttle position.”

 

It should be no surprise that the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M have massive braking with giant four-piston fixed calipers at the front with floating calipers at the rear. Internally-vented lightweight brake discs rotors measure 15.6 inches in diameter at front and 15.2 inches at rear.

 

BMW claims the BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M are the only vehicles “of their type” that have staggered-size tires front and rear, with 275/40 R 20 at the front and 315/35 R 20 rear, running on 20-inch light-weight alloy wheels. BMW says it’s possible—usually not so due to differing running diameter the front and rear wheels—by a “special setup of both models, with the emphasis on rear-wheel power and dynamic handling balance,” and no doubt a sprinkling of German pixie dust as well.

 

Visual changes to the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M are subtle but easily seen by knowledgeable Bimmerista. While the hood, front air dam, and headlights are virtually identical to the lesser versions, the M models have special gills in the front fenders, plus model-exclusive 20-inch light-alloy wheels. The M models lose the fog lights in the fender inlets, making the inlets appear larger as well. BMW put the more significant changes out back. A rear diffuser for each model and quad tailpipes of the exhaust system are the BMW equivalent of a wave as you go by.

 

Of course one might question the need for even more powerful and road capable BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M models, and one would probably be right in concluding that the need is slim indeed. Since that’s the case, BMW will likely produce both models in limited numbers, keeping their earth-numbing impact to a minimum. And even then, it really has nothing to do with need, simply desire. Because for a select few drivers, well, that’s what they do.