BMW M has revealed the third generation of its performance SUV flagships, the X5 M and coupé-styled X6 M, with both available in Competition form for the first time. Detailed ahead of their public debut at November’s LA motor show, both are set for a market launch commencing in April next year. A spokesperson has confirmed that the UK will only be able to order the Competition variants, priced from £110,610 for the X5 M and £113,310 for the X6 M. They will rival the Porsche Cayenne and Cayenne Coupé in Turbo forms, and are both powered by BMW M’s now familiar twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8. The standard X5 M and X6 M put out 592bhp, which is 25bhp more than both outgoing models. However, in keeping with the tradition set first by the latest M5, the Competition models boost this output to 616bhp. Torque is pegged at 553lb ft in all variants. The motor in both is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox with all-wheel drive and an Active M differential, said to help deliver the power through the wheels over any terrain. BMW claims super-stiff engine mountings boost response and refinement, while the engine oil supply system has been designed to cope with extensive track use. The result is a 0-62mph time quoted at 3.9sec for both cars, and a 0-124mph time of 13.7sec for the X5 M and 13.5sec for the X6 M. The Competition models drop the 0-62mph sprint down to 3.8sec, while the 0-124mph sprint is 13.4sec for the X5 M and 13.2sec for the X6 M. All models hit the same 155mph limiter unless you spec the optional M Driver’s Package, which raises the top speed to 180mph. Conversely, BMW quotes between 21.7mpg and 22.6mpg, depending on model and spec, with CO2 figures ranging from 284-296g/km. Competition models also feature the M Sport exhaust upgrade as standard (it’s optional on the regular cars), which is said to offer even greater aural thrills than the base M models’ already uprated exhaust system. This being a full-fat M model, there’s also substantial chassis upgrades. Alongside the Active M differential, the xDrive all-wheel drive gives a rear-biased power delivery, with even more power shifted to the rear in the 4WD Sport drive mode. Standard-fit adaptive suspension with electronic dampers and an active roll stabilisation system are drafted in, as is Servotronic steering with a specific M tuning. The X5 M and X6 M’s braking system also offers two settings for pedal feel. Both the X5 M and X6 M benefit from the usual array of M-specific design details, including larger air intakes, ‘gills’ on the front wing, drag-reducing exterior mirrors, a rear spoiler and a diffuser element surrounding the four-exit tailpipes. Competition models add specific M light alloy wheels (21in front, 22in rear) and unique badging. The interior features a host of new menu functions to allow extensive configuration of the drive modes. Specific set-ups can be saved and accessed via M buttons on the wheel, while M-specific instrument readouts and M performance seats complete the roster of changes. Competition cars get unique leather upholstery,
Origin: New BMW X5 M and X6 M gain 616bhp Competition variants
616bhp
New BMW M8 Competition: 616bhp super-coupe nears production
The new four-wheel-drive BMW M8 Coupé is the most powerful and fastest two-door model yet sold by the German car maker, and has made its UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Initially revealed in Competition form, the M8 is the latest in a growing line-up of performance models from BMW’s M division. It builds on the strengths of the M850i, with a powertrain shared with the M5 and a chassis honed during a 24-month development programme at the Nürburgring. The now familiar twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 offers up to 616bhp and a top speed of 190mph in top-of-the-line Competition guise, thanks to tweaks to the induction system and more rigid engine mountings than the standard M8. Peak power is produced at 6000rpm, with 553lb ft delivered between 1800 and 5800rpm. BMW quotes a 0-62mph time of 3.2sec for the M8 Competition in Coupé form, with the Convertible one-tenth slower over the same sprint. The regular M8 uses a slightly detuned version of the V8 producing 592bhp – the same as the standard M5. Peak power appears at 6000rpm and the same 553lb ft as the Competition model is delivered between a slightly narrower rev band, from 1800-5600rpm. The M8’s power figure is 69bhp more than that of the turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 used by the M850i, which shares the M8’s torque figure. The 0-62mph time for the standard M8 is 3.3sec for the Coupé, and 3.4sec for the Convertible. Both weigh 1885kg and are limited to a nominal top speed of 155mph, although this can be raised to 190mph with an optional Driver’s Package that also brings tyres with a higher speed rating. As with the M850i, the Convertible uses a multi-layer fabric roof that stows in a dedicated compartment at the rear. The model enters BMW’s M line-up as a replacement for the rear-wheel-drive M6 Convertible and a high-end rival to the likes of the Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet. Key identifying features of the new BMW include a uniquely styled bumper, M badging in the grille and side air vents, 20in M-Sport wheels, M-Sport mirror housings, a boot deck lip spoiler and a rear bumper with a wide diffuser element and BMW M’s quad round tailpipe treatment. At 4867mm long, 1907mm wide and 1362mm high, the M8 Coupé is 36mm shorter, 8mm wider and 12mm lower than the discontinued M6 Coupé. It also uses a wheelbase that is 24mm shorter than that of its predecessor at 2827mm, with corresponding track widths that are reduced by 4mm at the front, at 1627mm, and increased by 20mm at the rear, at 1632mm. Inside there are a number of traditional M division elements, including the latest M-Sport steering wheel, stainless steel pedal caps, heavily contoured M-Sport seats, unique M-Sport digital instruments, M-specific graphics for the infotainment system and a newly designed M-sport gear lever. The M8’s four-wheel drive system draws on developments brought to the latest M5 and offers the choice between standard 4WD, 4WD Sport and, with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system switched off, a pure rear-wheel-drive 2WD setting. Underpinning the new BMW M flagship is an adaptive M suspension system with double wishbones at the front and a five-link arrangement at the rear, together with variable damper control. 20in wheels feature on both variants, shod in 275/35 front and 285/35 rear tyres. The steering uses a further-developed version of the M850i’s electric power steering system, with an M-specific tune for the electric assistance and variable ratio. The M8 is now available to order, with prices starting at £123,435 and first deliveries set to take place in
Origin: New BMW M8 Competition: 616bhp super-coupe nears production
New BMW M8 revealed with up to 616bhp
The new four-wheel-drive BMW M8 Coupé will become the most powerful and fastest two-door model yet sold by the German car maker when it arrives in the UK later this year. Revealed for the first time in Competition form ahead of a public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, the latest in a growing line-up of performance models from BMW’s M division builds on the strengths of the M850i with a powertrain shared with the M5 and a chassis honed during a 24-month development programme at the Nürburgring. The now familiar twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 offers up to 616bhp and a top speed of 190mph in top-of-the-line Competition guise, thanks to tweaks to the induction system and more rigid engine mountings than the standard M8. Peak power is produced at 6000rpm, with 553lb ft delivered between 1800 and 5800rpm. BMW quotes a 0-62mph time of 3.2sec for the M8 Competition in Coupé form, with the Convertible one-tenth slower over the same sprint. The regular M8 uses a slightly detuned version of the V8 producing 592bhp – the same as the standard M5. Peak power appears at 6000rpm and the same 553lb ft as the Competition model is delivered between a slightly narrower rev band, from 1800-5600rpm. The M8’s power figure is 69bhp more than that of the turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 used by the M850i, which shares the M8’s torque figure. The 0-62mph time for the standard M8 is 3.3sec for the Coupé, and 3.4sec for the Convertible. Both weigh 1885kg and are limited to a nominal top speed of 155mph, although this can be raised to 190mph with an optional Driver’s Package that also brings tyres with a higher speed rating. As with the M850i, the Convertible uses a multi-layer fabric roof that stows in a dedicated compartment at the rear. The model enters BMW’s M line-up as a replacement for the rear-wheel-drive M6 Convertible and a high-end rival to the likes of the Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet. Key identifying features of the new BMW include a uniquely styled bumper, M badging in the grille and side air vents, 20in M-Sport wheels, M-Sport mirror housings, a boot deck lip spoiler and a rear bumper with a wide diffuser element and BMW M’s quad round tailpipe treatment. At 4867mm long, 1907mm wide and 1362mm high, the M8 Coupé is 36mm shorter, 8mm wider and 12mm lower than the discontinued M6 Coupé. It also uses a wheelbase that is 24mm shorter than that of its predecessor at 2827mm, with corresponding track widths that are reduced by 4mm at the front, at 1627mm, and increased by 20mm at the rear, at 1632mm. Inside there are a number of traditional M division elements, including the latest M-Sport steering wheel, stainless steel pedal caps, heavily contoured M-Sport seats, unique M-Sport digital instruments, M-specific graphics for the infotainment system and a newly designed M-sport gear lever. The M8’s four-wheel drive system draws on developments brought to the latest M5 and offers the choice between standard 4WD, 4WD Sport and, with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system switched off, a pure rear-wheel-drive 2WD setting. Underpinning the new BMW M flagship is an adaptive M suspension system with double wishbones at the front and a five-link arrangement at the rear, together with variable damper control. 20in wheels feature on both variants, shod in 275/35 front and 285/35 rear tyres. The steering uses a further-developed version of the M850i’s electric power steering system, with an M-specific tune for the electric assistance and variable ratio. The M8 is now available to order, with prices starting at £123,435 and first deliveries set to take place in
Origin: New BMW M8 revealed with up to 616bhp
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