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BMW X5 M and X6 M Show Up in LA with New Colors

This year, BMW launched no less than 5 new M cars and there’s still time for more if they hurry up. After unveiling the new M3, M4 and M4 Convertible models, the Germans also took the veils off their new SUV M versions, the X5 and X6 M.
2015 BMW X5 M and X6 M at LAAS 9 photos
Photo: newspressusa.com
2015 BMW X5 M in Donnington Grey2015 BMW X6 M in Long Beach Blue2015 BMW X6 M in Long Beach Blue2015 BMW X6 M in Long Beach Blue2015 BMW X6 M in Long Beach Blue2015 BMW X5 M in Donnington Grey2015 BMW X5 M in Donnington Grey2015 BMW X5 M in Donnington Grey
Being revealed to the world initially through a web press release, they are now making their world debut on the stage of the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. Even though we already knew how they look like, it’s a completely different thing to see them in real life.

Their introduction also presented itself with two new colors for the BMW range. As you can see in the photos below, the X6 M was all dressed up in the new Long Beach Blue metallic paint while the X5 M came prepared in Donington Grey metallic. Both of them are available to order from the get go.

The most powerful engines BMW ever made

Under the bonnet of these beasts hides the most powerful engine ever put in mass production by BMW. It’s a revised version of the S63Tü unit (now going by the codename S63B44T2) used on the F10 M5 that kept the same displacement and configuration.

The 4.4-liter twinturbo V8 unit now makes 575 HP and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque, more even than the record-holder N57S diesel unit that pushes out 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque thanks to three turbochargers.

Thanks to that added amount of twist, the 2.3 ton monsters are blazing fast. Hooked up to xDrive and a new 8-speed Steptronic gearbox that replaces the old 6-speed unit, the X5 M and X6 M will do 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds tapping out at 250 km/h (155 mph) or 280 km/h (174 mph) with the M Driver’s Package.

Specific Elastokinematics should turn these haulers into track masters

Don’t be fooled by the fact that these cars are SUVs. They are also wearing the M badge and, in consequence, should know how to handle a race track properly. In this regard, BMW’s Motorsport division made sure the suspension can cope with the pressure.

Both of them feature completely different suspension setups compared to the ‘normal’ models with double-joint spring strut axles that have M-specific elastokinematics (which is a fancy word for both elastic and kinematic movements of a suspension system).

Anti-dive and anti-squat systems have also been included as well as a self-leveling air suspension for the rear axle. That’s the one that we’re not really comfortable with but we’ll have to wait and see exactly how it performs before dismissing it.

Prices for the X5 M start at $99,650 in the US while for the Sport Activity Coupe version, the X6 M, you’ll have to pony up $103,050 in the States. Deliveries are expected to begin early next year.

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