BMW describe the new cars as representing “..a new category of vehicle from BMW M GmbH. Based on current BMW models, they have been selectively refined in terms of technology and design using the expertise focused at BMW M. They therefore offer greater agility, precision and emotion in the BMW M style.”

This new category of M car starts with 4 new models – X6 M50d, X5 M50d, M550d xDrive Saloon and M550d xDrive Touring, which will be joined by further models during the course of 2012.

Philosophy

These are the first BMW M Performance cars fitted with a high-performance diesel engine combined with the all-wheel drive xDrive system and despite the bullish claims of their sporting prowess fans of the blue-propeller-badge will be aghast that the once-purist sub-brand could move so far away from its high-revving, normally aspirated, rear-wheel drive roots.

BMW say these new models are clearly not as focused in terms of driving feel as the core BMW M cars- the ‘M Automobiles’, which themselves demonstrate the highest form of performance sports car within their own segments, but that the everyday usability which is typical of all BMW M products is especially tangible in the new BMW M Performance Automobiles.

If that sounds like a cop-out, BMW then go on to explain that what characterises an M car is the coherence between drivetrain, suspension technology and design (no mention of the engines…) and this has been achieved by means of an optimised set-up of the all-wheel drive system and 8-speed automatic transmission, as well as suspension components which have been modified in detail – together with light alloy wheels developed exclusively for these models.

Suspension

All modifications to the suspension and damping, steering, brake system, suspension control systems and all-wheel drive are geared towards the specific performance characteristics of each car. The result: even in dynamic driving situations, the transmission, steering and brakes provide clear-cut, predictable responses to the commands conveyed by the driver via the accelerator, steering and brake pedal.

Self-levelling air suspension is fitted to the rear of both X6/X5 models and the X6 M50d has electronically controlled dampers with BMW Adaptive Drive active anti-roll function as standard too. It is optional on the X5 M50d.

With their bespoke chassis configuration, the X5 M50d and X6 M50d drive through all four wheels via BMW’s intelligent electronic xDrive system. By integrating with the DSC stability control, xDrive allows a typically BMW rear-drive bias, but can intervene in milliseconds to enhance stability through the Performance Control system on the X5 M50d or the Dynamic Performance Control system on the X6 M50d. Both systems achieve this by braking the appropriate rear wheel while simultaneously increasing engine power and redistributing torque to other wheels with more traction.

Engine

The 2,993cc six-cylinder in-line engine is the most powerful diesel ever to come from BMW, and the first to feature three turbochargers as an extension of the company’s TwinPower Turbo technology.

The integration of two small variable-geometry high-pressure turbos and one larger lower-pressure turbo ensures instantaneous response throughout the rev range by ensuring the charge pressure is maintained at exactly the right level for the load being put upon the engine at any moment.

One of the two small turbochargers is activated at engine speeds just above idle, allowing its low moment of inertia to instantly respond to any movement of the accelerator. As the revs increase to 1,500rpm the flow of exhaust gas reaches the large turbocharger, ensuring that peak torque of 740Nm is attained and maintained from 2,000rpm until 3,000rpm.

At 2,700rpm a vacuum-modulated exhaust flap opens allowing exhaust gas to flow past the second small, low moment of inertia turbocharger creating additional charge pressure, allowing maximum power of 381hp to be available from 4,000-4,400rpm. If the large turbocharger is spinning at particularly high speeds a vacuum regulator opens a wastegate valve to relieve pressure and so avoid unwanted exhaust backpressure.

The new engine delivers a peak output of 381 bhp, which translates to just over 127 bhp per litre (well above an M3 for instance). No less impressive is the maximum torque of 740 Nm (546 lb-ft), available from an engine speed of just 2,000 rpm.

Spontaneous response combined with a high output and high revving characteristics (for a diesel engine) make for a driving experience which BMW claim surpasses virtually anything previously possible with a diesel engine.

Another important facet bears out regarding the quality of the engine performance: in the context of its maximum available output and fuel consumption, the new diesel engine is said to offer the best efficiency figures ever seen in a serial production engine of this type. Never has such a low level of fuel consumption been available with such high performance.

Their performance – 0-62mph in 5.4 and 5.3 seconds respectively – is matched by supreme efficiency as a result of the EfficientDynamics measures fitted as standard. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions for the X5 M50d are 37.7mpg and 199g/km, while for the X6 M50d they are 36.7mpg and 204g/km.

Styling

As you can see from the pictures, the new M Performance Models differ only subtly from the standard models on which they’re based and likewise avoid looking too similar to the pure M Cars that the brand is known for.

Each new model uses distinctive design components for the exterior and interior, including those lightweight smoked-finish alloy wheels, BMW M badges on the door sills, steering, boot lid, engine cover, gearshift lever and instrument cluster whilst a range of unique sporting alcantara/nappa leather trim options are provided with Brushed Aluminium Shadow interior trim.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed for the M550d models, but BMW has confirmed that the BMW X5 M50d goes on sale 16 June 2012 with an on-the-road price of £60,325, while the BMW X6 M50d will be available from £62,260 OTR.

Gallery

As part of the DTM event at Munich’s Olympic Stadium on 16th and 17th July 2011, BMW will present a BMW M3 DTM Concept Car for the first time. The Concept Car will give the first impression of what next year’s car will look like and provide further insights about BMW’s approach to the DTM programme.

The M3 DTM Concept will be presented to the media on Friday 15th July and then remain on show at BMW Welt over the remainder of the weekend.

BMW Welt will be dominated by motorsport throughout the entire DTM race weekend at Munich’s Olympic Stadium. The main attraction will be the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car. In addition, BMW is also exhibiting some of the historic cars, including the 1979 BMW M1 Art Car designed by Andy Warhol, the 1986 BMW 635 CSi and the BMW M3 GTR from 2001. The BMW M3 from the late 1980s, which notched up countless victories and two of the three DTM titles for the brand, will also be on display. With more than 1,500 individual wins to its name, this car is still regarded as one of the most successful touring cars of all time.

“The fact that the DTM is staging an event in Munich this year is obviously exciting and interesting for us too,” said Jens Marquardt, who takes over from Mario Theissen on 1st July.

“The location right on our doorstep gives the term ‘home event’ a whole new meaning in motorsport in the future. Although we will not be competing in 2011, we want to use this opportunity to give DTM fans and BMW Motorsport followers a taste of what they can look forward to next season. For this reason, this event is the logical venue to unveil a BMW M3 DTM Concept Car. Under the motto ‘BMW welcomes DTM’ we will welcome the series to Munich and follow the event at the Olympic Stadium closely. We hope the spectators will also enjoy the many classic BMW cars in action as part of the support programme. Whether the 1987 BMW M3 DTM, the BMW M1 Procar from 1981, or the Mini Rally Monte Carlo car from the 1960s: we think there will be something to suit every taste.“

Development of the BMW M3 DTM for the coming season has been in full flow since BMW announced its DTM comeback in October last year, and has so far run to plan. The first tests will be performed shortly. BMW will be represented with three strong teams in the DTM in 2012. BMW Team Schnitzer, in action with the BMW M3 GT at the Nürburgring 24 Hours (DE) this weekend, will run two BMW M3 DTM cars, as will BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG.

One of the most obvious questions on our minds is which model of 3 Series the DTM car will be based on? BMW say in their press materials, “The BMW M3 production model is the basis for the impressive BMW M3 GT racing car – and naturally for the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car too.” However since the current E90/E92/E93 range is due to be replaced in 2012/2013, BMW’s rationale for entering DTM must surely be to square up against its closest showroom competitors from Mercedes and Audi. Maybe that’s a facelift that will come in to play for the 2013 season.

The truth will be out on the 15th July.

Several rain showers made for difficult conditions at the “Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps”. Shortly after 20:00hrs, despite a damp track, the BMW drivers decided to continue on dry tyres to avoid losing time during the tyre change. The decision proved to be the right one, as the circuit soon allowed them to start setting faster lap times again. One hour later, however, the rain was so heavy that they had to switch to wet tyres.

After dropping back to 14th, following a problem with the starter, BMW’s No.78 M3 made up ground during the night. Running in tenth, Jörg Müller (DE) handed over to Uwe Alzen (DE) on lap 226. Alzen managed to move up another two positions before Pedro Lamy (PT) continued the trio’s fight back.

The Portuguese driver benefited from an accident between the second-placed Ferrari F430 GT (#2) and the no. 50 Audi R8 LMS, so that Jörg Müller could rejoin the race on lap 316 in fifth. The car is currently in 4th place.

We’ve also been closely following the United Autosports team, featuring ex-F1 driver Mark Blundell in his first drive at Spa Francorchamps since he drove for McLaren in 1995.

07.55 - Dean hands the car over to Blundell at the United Autosport's pit stop

“This is my first race here since 1995 when I was in a McLaren,” said Blundell. “It’s changed in a few places, like at the bus stop chicane and some new curbs. I have been out of the driver’s seat for several years now but I never said officially that I was retiring and it never came in to my mind to retire – I have just been doing other things.

“This opportunity came up and it is an attraction for me to drive a modern-day GT sports car and try to be competitive. I’m not looking to set the world alight but just come back and enjoy it and I think this opportunity with Zak Brown and United Autosports, in an Audi R8 LMS, the whole combination, just seems to be the right thing to do and to be racing at Spa, in a 24-hour race, just tops it all off.”

The GT3 R8 LMS driven by Blundell, Zak Brown, Richard Dean and Eddie Cheever is currently in 6th place, 12 laps down from the 4th place BMW.

You can keep track of the race by following the FIA GT live timing screens and we’ll be broadcasting a video summary of the race on SkiddPlayer this coming Monday.

You can also follow Mark Blundell’s tweets on @markblundellF1 and there’s also live TV pictures and commentary from Johnny Herbert and David Addison at the Total24hours website..

Photos courtesy of: BMW Motorsports, United Autosports, Malcolm Griffiths/LAT.

German tuner G-POWER are well known to BMW owners and already produce their EVO II supercharger system for the E90x M3 raising the 4-litre V8′s power output from 420 bhp to 580 bhp. Korean tuning company Sonic Motors then decided to take this one step further, adding an Akrapovic titanium exhaust to increase power to 600 bhp.

Performance? Well how does 0-100 mph in around 8 seconds grab you? or perhaps 0-125 mph in 11 seconds?

Thanks to Gustav from m5board.com we can now see what happens when you pack 600 bhp into a DCT equipped M3. Insane isn’t it?

We brought you the video of our on-track exploits before Christmas, now tuck into the feature and read about each DR Team member’s experience of this epic….. err, contest.

Click the image below to read the magazine feature

Share your thoughts and any questions after you’ve watched the video.

Click the image and watch Uncle-Monkey on DR TV..

Have a look at the video and then let’s hear your comments (about anything except Chris’ fashion sense)

The video is available to watch now and the feature will be online in the next few days.

Click the image and go to DR TV

[Click image below for video link]

Then serve within an 18 minute feature video with an in-depth review of how they drive on the twisty roads of Wales.

[Click image below for video link]

Follow this with a rich desert of on-track driving at Silverstone, telemetry videos and downloadable mp3 sound files.  (available later next week, so make sure you save your appetite).

1) Your usual feedback in terms of specific questions you would like answered.

2) Should we include an RS4 saloon? We know it’s no longer available as a new car, but surely anyone in the market for one of the above would want to consider a very late model used RS4, given how wonderful a road car it is. Then again, should we just be dealing with the newbies?

Let us know your thoughts.