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M-badged BMW SUVs for SA: X5 and X6

The second-generation X5 M and X6 M, due to make their debut at the 2014 Los Angeles motor show in November 2014, will arrive in South Africa in early 2015.

The two M-badged SUV's will have 10% more power despite a claimed reduction in fuel consumption and 20% lower CO2 emissions (258g/km) than the 2009 models they'll replace. The X5M and X6M, BMW says, can reach 100km/h in 4.2 seconds.

Each has the same new 4.4-litre M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission to handle the 423kW/750Nm. According to BMW: “It is the most powerful engine yet by BMW for four-wheel-drive vehicles.”

SPORTS CAR-HUNTING POWER

The new all-wheel drive M models will also have an improved dynamic stability control system which permits an even more dynamic driving style and includes safety functions such as brake standby, brake drying, fading compensation and start-off assistant.

IMAGE GALLERY: 2015 BMW X5 M
IMAGE GALLERY: 2015 BMW X6 M

The DSC has three driving modes:
DSC on - electronic systems provide maximum assistance.
M Dynamic - allows some mild drifting before the electronics come to the driver’s assistance.
DSC off - intervenes only in the most extreme circumstances.

The two cars are identical if viewed from the front, not so at the rear. The headlights (with washers) come from the X6 and below them special flaps in the outer front air intakes – adapted from those on BMW's race cars – reduce lift. Both cars have twin-stalk exterior door mirrors with integrated indicators.

At the rear, there are body-coloured M aprons and distinctive four-tailpipes exhaust. The X6 M has a spoiler to reduce rear-axle lift.

Each has specially developed mixed tyres to, BMW says, ensure maximum steering precision and feedback, traction and lateral and directional stability. Standard are Pirelli P Zero tyres (285/40 R 20 Y at the front and 325/35 R 20 Y at the rear) on 20" alloy rims; 21" rims with Michelin Pilot Super Sport UHP tyres (285/35 R 21 Y front; 325/30 R 21 Y rear) are optionas.

M-SPORT TOUCHES

The M-sport front seats and steering wheel are trimmed in fine-grain leather with contrast stitching and embossed M logos. Oth standard kit includes adaptive dynamic suspension and adaptive M suspension, cruise control (with brake function), driving assistant, parking radar and auto wipers and headlights.                               

Both models have dynamic stability control, anti-lock brakes, auto stability control, brake drying, brake fade compensation, brake pre-tensioning, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control, dynamic traction control, electronic brake-pressure distribution, hill-start assistant and gradient descent control.

SPORTY INTERIOR

Split/folding rear seats, power driver’s seat adjustment (with memories), heatable front seats, door release lighting, gloss exterior trim (including the roof rails on the X5 M), metallic paint, a powered and split tailgate (for the X5 M), dual zone auto aircon, leather-trimmed instrument panel, aluminium interior trim with chromed finishers, a retractable and removable luggage cover, four 12-volt power sockets and green window tinting.

Infotainment is provided by the BMW Professional DAB radio with a single CD player. There is also a 20GB hard drive and a socket for connecting auxiliary devices.

Both SUVs are equipped with enhanced Bluetooth (with voice control), BMW ConnectedDrive services (apps interface, Emergency Call, Online Services, TeleServices, Information Plus, Real Time Traffic Information and Remote Services), an M-specific heads-up display, BMW Professional Multimedia Navigation and a computer.

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