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13/04/2009
By EWAN KENNEDY
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BMW was known for its sports models long before it got into the 4WD/SUV field. So it comes as no surprise that the German company is harking back to what it knows best by building high-performance versions of the X5 and X6.
 Details of the two new M Division cars have been released in Germany. At this stage the X6 is the only one that's definitely confirmed for Australia, and will arrive here during the fourth-quarter of this year. Specifications are yet to be finalised, but you can be sure that the phones are running hot as the local importer aims to scoop up a good supply of hot X6s to satisfy Aussie drivers’ desires.
Let's look at the X6 M now, and keep our fingers crossed for the announcement that the X5 is coming here.
Power is by a highly modified version of the 4.4-litre V8 engine known and respected by engineers the world over. In X6 format it produces no less than 408 kW, almost 550 horsepower, thanks to the use of twin turbochargers. Both turbos sit inside the ‘V’ banks to keep them as close as possible to the exhaust manifold and so reduce turbo lag.
Also between the two banks of cylinders are the catalytic converters. Having them there minimises air pollution as they can heat fast and therefore light up quickly.
Torque peaks at 680 Nm and is spread across a broad range of the rev band.
 Interestingly, the BMW X6 M is the first time the M Division has tackled a vehicle with a 4WD setup and its engineers have made excellent use of the ability to drive all four wheels under hard acceleration. All of which results in a zero to 100 km/h time of a staggeringly low 4.7 seconds. Most sports cars don’t go as quickly as that.
Yet petrol consumption has been officially measured at 13.9 litres per hundred kilometres, putting it down to the top end of six-cylinder performance when compared with similar cars.
BMW X6 has one of the most controversial body shapes designed in recent years. The fastback tail sitting behind an SUV front is something right out of the ordinary. Some love it, some hate it. But we’ve yet to meet anyone without an opinion, and that's an important fact in the world high-end automotive fashion.
Because of its unusual rear end design the BMW isn't set up as a family vehicle, but rather the rear compartment is more like the front one in other vehicle. In other words it has two large seats with a handy console centralised between them.
 As mentioned, prices and exact specifications are yet to be established. We will bring further information as it comes to hand.
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