So, what can we say? BMW X5M for sale? BMW X6M for sale? Well, almost, but not quite.
The M versions of BMW’s SUVs (or SAVs, as BMW insist on calling them) have been coming for some time. And, considering the current state of the economy, many thought they may be binned altogether. But no, BMW, who had intended revealing the cars at the end of this week at the New York Motor Show, had their hand forced by leaked images, and have decided to let us have all the information ahead of the official reveal.
So what do these big, powerful 4×4s offer? Quite a bit it would seem. Utilising the BMW 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8, these monsters manage to produce 550bhp and a whopping great lump of torque – 500lb/ft. But that torque, although not massively up on the standard car, is delivered in a wave from around 1500rpm, meaning incredible on-road performance and shove.
Top speed is limited to 155mph (but 171mph if you opt for the M Drivers package) and 0-60mph will take around 4.5 seconds. And with a sophisticated air suspension system, together with a very dexterous 4 wheel drive system, it is pretty clear that the hugely powerful BMW (well, both BMWs actually, but they are the same under the skin) will not only be great in a straight line, but also on the twisty stuff.
BMW has lost a lot of the plastic-panel look of the standard offering, and the new M versions look very chunky and purposeful. These are cars aimed straight in the face of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and they seem to come very close, and in some areas better. They certainly won’t compete with the Cayenne off-road, but in truth very few cars of this type ever get close to the real muddy stuff, so the point is almost academic.
There won’t be a huge market for these big M BMW 4×4s in the current market, but they will find a place. A great ‘compromise’ car (with this much space and this much power they can double up as the weekend fun car and the daily drive), and at around £75,000 when they arrive in the UK in the Autumn they do offer a lot of bang for your money.


Although based on the underpinnings of the hugely successful X5, the X6 is radically different. In pictures it seems to be quite a dinky 4×4, but don’t be fooled. This car is big. It’s longer, wider and lower than the X5, but you still sit up high, so the 4×4 view out is still there. And it has some very interesting detailing, not least the dramatically sloping roofline and massive rear tailgate. This really is a very different looking car. The interior is beautifully finished but, unlike its sibling the X5, there is no seven seat option. In fact, the X6 has just four seats. This isn’t a multi-people, all purpose 4×4. It’s a big, bold coupe on stilts.