X5 M / X6 M First press reviews: BMW X6 M

Fahrbericht BMW X6 M - Individuell und sauschnell - Allrad - autobild.de

Not much talk about the car other than the car is sporty and comfortable but they find the engine sound to be weak and not loud enough. Other than that they talk about financial crisis in this article.

It's really hot though. Want to see it in Black now.


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Source: Jalopnik - BMW X6 M: First Drive - bmw x6 m

The guys over at Jalopnik have gotten behind the wheel of the BMW X6 M for the first time and it sounds like they were very impressed with the car so far. They promise to have a full review up in the next few days.

Quote:

" Despite the enormous size and weight, the BMW X6 M is just as fast around the Nurburgring as the last BMW M3. But why did BMW's M division build the world's sportiest crossover?

...

Let's get back to my initial question of why BMW's M division built the X6 M by repeating what a German engineer said to the group of assembled journalists today when asked to describe the X6 M in one sentence. His response was "the X6 M is the ideal car to pick up your spirits in this day and age of a world in crisis." All I know is this $90,000-plus toy certainly brought a smile to my face and picked up my spirits. So in that, it's done its high-priced job."

Car and Driver - 2010 BMW X6 M - Short Take Road Test







The quickest production SUV we’ve ever tested. Plus, it can dance.


There are plenty of people, including us, who wonder why BMW is building an M version of the X6. The answer seems to parallel the punchline of the joke about a canine licking himself: “because it can.” Also, everybody else is making a high-performance SUV. The Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, Porsche Cayenne, Infiniti FX50, and Range Rover Sport are all evidence that more than a few people want an SUV with a sporty on-road demeanor. This being BMW, the X6 M and its mechanically identical sibling, the X5 M, aim straight for the top of the muscle-SUV mountain—it’s no coincidence that the two Bimmers’ 555-hp output bests that of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S by 5 ponies. And just to throw more mud in Porsche’s eye, the X6 M base price of $89,725 undercuts the top Cayenne by $34,690.

The highlight of the X6 M is the engine with its trick exhaust manifold. Based on the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 found in the X6 xDrive50i and 7-series, the M engine gets two twin-scroll Honeywell turbochargers fed by a newly patented exhaust manifold. The manifold’s tangle of piping in the valley of the V-8 routes to each scroll the exhaust from two specific cylinders. The two cylinders are 360 degrees apart in firing order, ensuring that the exhaust pulses spinning the turbos are smooth. The result is almost no turbo lag.

Unlike other M cars, there are no radical changes to the suspension and bodywork. Springs, bushings, anti-roll bars, and the two-stage electronic adjustable dampers are all stiffer than those of the standard X6, but the components are virtually the same. On the outside, the M model gets massive front air intakes below the grille for its larger intercoolers, quad tailpipes in back, and M-badged gill vents on the front fenders.

The X6 M also keeps the six-speed automatic transmission, although the M version uses an aluminum transmission fluid pan with cooling fins in place of the plastic pan on the regular X6. To enact quicker shifts more befitting of an M car, the engine cuts ignition and throttle to reduce the torque load during gearchanges. In standard drive mode, the transmission keeps revs below 4500 rpm to conserve fuel. Since the 500 lb-ft of torque is available as early as 1500 rpm, this efficient programming doesn’t noticeably impact normal driving.

In both Sport and full-on Manual modes, the engine will run all the way to redline and hold gears. The X6 M also comes with a launch-control function that will handle the shifts as long as you keep the gas pedal planted to the floor. Hold your foot down for just 4.3 seconds and you’ll see 60 miles per hour fly by—and that was achieved without launch control enabled. With launch control, we think a tick or two could easily be shaved off. Our X6 M got to 100 mph in 10.7 seconds. For reference, the Cayenne Turbo S hits 60 in 4.4 seconds and 100 mph in 10.8. (Does that $35K price difference look even more substantial now?)

Amazingly, considering its 5254-pound curb weight, the X6 M does more than go fast in a straight line. Lapping the Road Atlanta racetrack during our preview drive, the X6 M flew around corners with awe-inspiring ease. It’s huge yet easy to drive quickly and displays tremendous capability—it’s a glorious contradiction of a vehicle. Both the steering and brakes could offer more feedback, but that’s probably a tall order for a big vehicle with 20-inch tires. But the fact that the X6 M is faster around the Nürburgring Nordschleife faster than the last-generation M3 pretty much says all you need to know about its overall performance. BMW says the suspension tuning for the X5 M is slightly different due to weight and balance, but that it should prove just as capable as the X6 M.

But does anybody really need a Nürburgring-tuned, four-seat SUV in the first place? We’re not here to pass judgment, but we can tell you that if you want such a thing, the X6 M is the perfect choice.


C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.7 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 19.1 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 27.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.8 sec @ 110 mph
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.92 g
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft


2010 BMW X6 M - Short Take Road Test/BMW Performance/M Power/High Performance/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver


Searing performance........


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The GTR of SUVs. It is going to humiliate a few sports cars. But I still can't help but wonder what that engine with possibly a DCT transmission could have been on a 3600lb car.

Unlike other M cars, there are no radical changes to the suspension and bodywork. Springs, bushings, anti-roll bars, and the two-stage electronic adjustable dampers are all stiffer than those of the standard X6, but the components are virtually the same.

I hope they put more effort in developing of the next M5.

Fast as the last-generation M3? Is that in the same way as the E60 M5 did the lap sub 8 minutes, making the X6M more like "fast as the previous generation M3"?

In any case, the X6M has everything talking for it when it comes to being efficient (except the monstrous weight) on track and everything talking against it being an engaging drive.

Just_me said:

Unlike other M cars, there are no radical changes to the suspension and bodywork. Springs, bushings, anti-roll bars, and the two-stage electronic adjustable dampers are all stiffer than those of the standard X6, but the components are virtually the same.

I hope they put more effort in developing of the next M5.

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Why? Do you want to see change for the sake of change or do you know about some shortcoming in the normal version's suspension that you want to see fixed? The proof of the pudding is in the taste and we will soon know how this pudding tastes, but going by the initial reports it is pretty sweet so why change something that is working?

Sunny said:

Why? Do you want to see change for the sake of change or do you know about some shortcoming in the normal version's suspension that you want to see fixed? The proof of the pudding is in the taste and we will soon know how this pudding tastes, but going by the initial reports it is pretty sweet.

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Because BMW shall not be money obsessed, instead put some extra work on their M cars and not just make the suspension little bit stiffer and then its all good.

Yes, the initial report is pretty sweet - as expected! The X6 is a true M-car as the report stated. I knew BMW M would not dissapoint on the X-M series becuase they had a point to make and hardcore customers to satisfy as well as winning new customers for the brand.

It would be interesting to hear from Sayyaaf when he spots the new X5 & X6 M's in the UAE. The UAE is a Cayenne kingdom.....

Just_me said:

Because BMW shall not be money obsessed, instead put some extra work on their M cars and not just make the suspension little bit stiffer and then its all good.

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Extra work for what? What if they deemed suspension in the base version is good enough? Do you still want to see them put in extra work and change some thing for the sake of it? Or do you know for a fact it is not good enough even before any tests are out? If you do, you should share that with us.

Sunny said:

Extra work for what? What if they deemed suspension in the base version is good enough? Do you still want to see them put in extra work and change some thing for the sake of it?

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It seems like the suspension was good enough to create a "true" M-car for SUV people. That is why they needn't do anything more, the bar was raised and the X6"M" surpassed it.

The traditional M-cars will be asked to do much more. Because , it will take a lot more to convince the sportscar people.

Sunny said:

Extra work for what? What if they deemed suspension in the base version is good enough? Do you still want to see them put in extra work and change some thing for the sake of it?

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dont be so defensive over this silly cars.......

dr Dunkel said:

Fast as the last-generation M3? Is that in the same way as the E60 M5 did the lap sub 8 minutes, making the X6M more like "fast as the previous generation M3"?

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Hold your horses and lets wait for Sportauto.
(yeah, Im not going to be nice to BMW about these SUV's)

Just_me said:

dont be so defensive over this silly cars.......

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I am not being defensive, I am just trying to understand why you posted what you did. If you don't have a good reason, that is fine too.

Sunny said:

I am not being defensive, I am just trying to understand why you posted what you did. If you don't have a good reason, that is fine too.

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Here is a reason: usually, almost every moving part of a M-car is different compared to those of its mundane relatives. This is the first time that is not true, that makes it less special and those who say "chip it and it will do the same as the M" will be one step closer to being right.

If it wasnt for those 555hp you can just get yourself a X6 drive50 and get the performance engine upgrade (449hp) and take the car to a tuning company and tell them to make the suspension stiffer and 'Voila' you have yourself a mini X6M.

Thats what it feels like when you read that X6M share the same parts as a normal X6.

dr Dunkel said:

Here is a reason: usually, almost every moving part of a M-car is different compared to those of its mundane relatives. This is the first time that is not true, that makes it less special and those who say "chip it and it will do the same as the M" will be one step closer to being right.

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Ok, that is a reason. But do you really think the BMW will change something that works just to stop some one from saying that? Can you imagine how that conversation goes?

"The suspension in the base version works great, we should just make it stiffer so it doen't roll as much".
"Hmmm, no, we should like change something."
"Really? Why? it works great."
"Well, someone will say it is not special enough."
"Oh, yea, we don't want that".

I like to think that they are not that frivolous and if they decide to change something, there is actually better reason behind it. Now if it doesn't work and I am sure we will hear about it pretty soon once the tests start coming in, it is a different matter.

Just_me said:

dont be so defensive over this silly cars.......

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Don't you be so OFFENSIVE against this car. If you don't like it, don't post here.....People themselves decide what's silly and what's not, and the X6 M is far, far from silly.