06.04.2009
The new X6M and X5M represent a series of firsts for BMW’s M division, but as controversial as they may be, they also showcase M divisions new strategy of fitting turbocharged engines to its cars.
This is the first SUV-style model to wear the M badge, but also the first to be fitted with an auto gearbox, the first 4-wheel drive M-car, the first to be fitted with run-flat tyres and lastly and perhaps most relevant to the future of all M-cars, these are the first models in the M-range to be fitted with a turbocharged engine. That’s five firsts that ex-Vice President Gerhard Richter had previously suggested would never feature in an M-car. Well Herr Richter is no longer in charge of BMW’s M Division, so these models are the first significant step away from the philosophy we’ve come to recognise as the characteristics of a true M-car.
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18 Comments
DriversRepublic (The DR Team)
April 6, 2009Posted on DR: BMW launches X6 M and X5 M http://bit.ly/48NtqQ
DriversRepublic (The DR Team)
April 6, 2009Posted on DR: BMW launches X6 M and X5 M http://bit.ly/48NtqQ
Fergie
April 7, 2009Just watched the videos on the X5M and X6M. Sounds like the new twin turbo V8 has a flat plane crank
Fergie
April 7, 2009Just watched the videos on the X5M and X6M. Sounds like the new twin turbo V8 has a flat plane crank
Mark McTavish
April 7, 2009*sigh* …I thought the RS6 was going to be the last great hulk of over engineered quasi-performance rubbish from Germany…hopefully these two monstrosities will mark a turning point..surely cars can’t get any bigger, uglier or more powerful.
Mark McTavish
April 7, 2009*sigh* …I thought the RS6 was going to be the last great hulk of over engineered quasi-performance rubbish from Germany…hopefully these two monstrosities will mark a turning point..surely cars can’t get any bigger, uglier or more powerful.
Steve
April 8, 2009There are two major stories behind the initial news headline that I tried to bring out in the article; firstly the complete u-turn by M GmbH from what had previously been understood as the core ingredients of an M-car.
The second story is this new engine which we know will also be fitted to the next M5, and which provides the first example of the character of a turbocharged M-engine (which will be fitted to all future M-cars).
My personal standpoint on the X6M/X5M being a current X6 owner and having owned 4 of the previous hot X5 models (4.6is, 4.8is) is that BMW shouldn’t have applied the ‘M’ badge. I see these as being ‘is’ models of the X5/X6 (I really don’t see the reason why they needed to be badged as an ‘M’). As an M3 CSL owner I would like to see BMW apply their ‘M’ badge to fewer and more extreme models.
Having said all this, I can’t wait to drive these cars, BMW’s DPC system is truly impressive and will be even more so with the power of this new 547 bhp V8. But I’d rather they weren’t badged as M-cars…
Steve
April 8, 2009There are two major stories behind the initial news headline that I tried to bring out in the article; firstly the complete u-turn by M GmbH from what had previously been understood as the core ingredients of an M-car.
The second story is this new engine which we know will also be fitted to the next M5, and which provides the first example of the character of a turbocharged M-engine (which will be fitted to all future M-cars).
My personal standpoint on the X6M/X5M being a current X6 owner and having owned 4 of the previous hot X5 models (4.6is, 4.8is) is that BMW shouldn’t have applied the ‘M’ badge. I see these as being ‘is’ models of the X5/X6 (I really don’t see the reason why they needed to be badged as an ‘M’). As an M3 CSL owner I would like to see BMW apply their ‘M’ badge to fewer and more extreme models.
Having said all this, I can’t wait to drive these cars, BMW’s DPC system is truly impressive and will be even more so with the power of this new 547 bhp V8. But I’d rather they weren’t badged as M-cars…
Mark McTavish
April 8, 2009Running with the idea that the branding is wrong…it must be as shocking to some people as a Cayenne GT/RS would be to others…*shudders*
Mark McTavish
April 8, 2009Running with the idea that the branding is wrong…it must be as shocking to some people as a Cayenne GT/RS would be to others…*shudders*
Neville Contractor
April 14, 2009The essence of BMW Motorsport for me is the feeling that you are driving a car steeped in motorsport history. I have an old BMW brochure featuring the E34 M5 and E30 M3 and the motorsport heritage is clear to see. I think it will be tough for BMW to convince us the same is true of the X5M/X6M.
But I can see why BMW has positioned the new X5M/X6M where they have. Both cars have been developed with a huge amount of BMW Motorsport input so BMW will rightly call them M cars, whether enthusiasts like it or not. They will not want to belittle the M Divisions work on their new babies.
As for all the ‘firsts’ it is a worrying shift from what we thought the core values of an M car should be, but if the technology works I’ll embrace it. If the engine still represents the hallmarks of an M engine, (amazing throttle response, revtastic nature and sensational sonic character) but also brings a more savage midrange from the turbo, what’s to lose? BMW normally excel at engine design, I have no doubt they will do so again.
Sure Gehard Richter said an all-wheel drive M car would never be released, but even in the current market this is a short sighted opinion. Providing BMW produces their usual range of M cars I don’t think the X5M/X6M will do any harm. And although we might have all those nasty ‘firsts’ that’s not to say all future models will go that way. We all hope!
I would have still preferred the new SUVs to come under a different name, maybe within the BMW Performance portfolio, but I’m also not too concerned. The M5 or M6 are hardly lightweights anyway, so maybe there should be an M Competition Department for the proper stuff.
Mind you, 0-62 in 4.7 seconds? Can’t wait…
Neville Contractor
April 14, 2009The essence of BMW Motorsport for me is the feeling that you are driving a car steeped in motorsport history. I have an old BMW brochure featuring the E34 M5 and E30 M3 and the motorsport heritage is clear to see. I think it will be tough for BMW to convince us the same is true of the X5M/X6M.
But I can see why BMW has positioned the new X5M/X6M where they have. Both cars have been developed with a huge amount of BMW Motorsport input so BMW will rightly call them M cars, whether enthusiasts like it or not. They will not want to belittle the M Divisions work on their new babies.
As for all the ‘firsts’ it is a worrying shift from what we thought the core values of an M car should be, but if the technology works I’ll embrace it. If the engine still represents the hallmarks of an M engine, (amazing throttle response, revtastic nature and sensational sonic character) but also brings a more savage midrange from the turbo, what’s to lose? BMW normally excel at engine design, I have no doubt they will do so again.
Sure Gehard Richter said an all-wheel drive M car would never be released, but even in the current market this is a short sighted opinion. Providing BMW produces their usual range of M cars I don’t think the X5M/X6M will do any harm. And although we might have all those nasty ‘firsts’ that’s not to say all future models will go that way. We all hope!
I would have still preferred the new SUVs to come under a different name, maybe within the BMW Performance portfolio, but I’m also not too concerned. The M5 or M6 are hardly lightweights anyway, so maybe there should be an M Competition Department for the proper stuff.
Mind you, 0-62 in 4.7 seconds? Can’t wait…
Neville Contractor
April 14, 2009They’ll be a Cayenne Diesel next…
Neville Contractor
April 14, 2009They’ll be a Cayenne Diesel next…
luckyguyswearlevi's
May 20, 2009bmw is not any more what it used to until 5 or 10 years ago, when they did great cars for people who loved cars. bmw used to be a little like porshce, always looking for the perfect engineering solution. Now, it’s not anymore the engineers who take decisions, it is the marketeers. As we all know, the m bagde sells extremely well today, and, as the markting lords praise to no more than sales, it makes all the sense to comit such monstruosity as putting the m badge in things that weight 2.5 tons, have 4wd and are turbocharged. I hate this cars, just as much as i love the old bmw, that seems to have been lost in time.
luckyguyswearlevi's
May 20, 2009bmw is not any more what it used to until 5 or 10 years ago, when they did great cars for people who loved cars. bmw used to be a little like porshce, always looking for the perfect engineering solution. Now, it’s not anymore the engineers who take decisions, it is the marketeers. As we all know, the m bagde sells extremely well today, and, as the markting lords praise to no more than sales, it makes all the sense to comit such monstruosity as putting the m badge in things that weight 2.5 tons, have 4wd and are turbocharged. I hate this cars, just as much as i love the old bmw, that seems to have been lost in time.
Tyler Durden
September 16, 2009@Steve – my view is similar to yours, had BMW continued their hot line of ‘IS’ X5s and badge the V8 twin turbo as one of these, the car would have been warmly received (the X6M as well); however, the M-badge debate has taken over from just how accomplished this car really is.
There is an excellent review of the X6M here and the author manages to side-step the relevance of the name and focus on the attributes of the car… something most UK journalist seem incapable of doing
BMW Blog X6M review
Tyler Durden
September 16, 2009@Steve – my view is similar to yours, had BMW continued their hot line of ‘IS’ X5s and badge the V8 twin turbo as one of these, the car would have been warmly received (the X6M as well); however, the M-badge debate has taken over from just how accomplished this car really is.
There is an excellent review of the X6M here and the author manages to side-step the relevance of the name and focus on the attributes of the car… something most UK journalist seem incapable of doing
BMW Blog X6M review