BMW BLOG

Additional equipment options are also available for the models BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M as of spring 2010. The two top sports cars in the segment of the BMW X models can now be fitted with such features as the driver assistance systems Side View and Speed Limit Info. The Side View system comprises two cameras integrated in the side of the front bumpers, which means that intersecting traffic can be observed.

The images from these cameras are shown on the Control Display of the operating system iDrive, providing an advance view of the road situation to the left and right of the vehicle when coming out of blind exits such as narrow driveways or multi-storey car parks, for example. Speed Limit Info gives the driver the possibility of finding out about speed restrictions on the current route.

Here, a camera is installed on the windscreen in the area of the interior mirror which permanently monitors signs at the roadside as well as the variable displays on overhead gantries on motorways, comparing this information with the data from the navigation system. The figure thus obtained is displayed by means of a symbol on the instrument panel or in the Head-Up Display, as required.

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It goes without saying that any all-wheel drive vehicle sporting performance tires is bound to be in trouble during the winter season. Or…does it really go without saying?

Cause judging by the video below, the drive of this BMW X5 M clearly overestimated the xDrive system in its powerful M car and…..it flipped upside down. As many automotive journalists have pointed out before, with the adoption of all-wheel drive as one of the most popular choices in the Northern and Midwest states, the semi-annual ritual of swapping snow tires has largely disappeared.

But as advanced as those all-wheel drive technologies are,  they can’t always substitute for a set of snow tires. Before the car can rely on the AWD technology and its capability to detect and predict sliding, four rubbers are much needed for a solid contact with the ground, and not just any rubbers, but rather some good snow tires.

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….and we’re still confused if he gives it thumbs up or down, but that’s somewhat expected. Despite the mixed review (at least we think it was mixed), Clarkson brings up some positive points as well as negative ones, one of the less pleasant ones being the first M-powered X5 and X6 to go to market when things aren’t so dandy for the automotive industry and not only.

Let’s have a look, shall we?

BMW’s Motorsport division has been busy creating the first ever M-powered X5. We must take this seriously because BMW’s M cars are almost always a cut above. The M5 is biblically good and the current M3, divine. It’s a full five seconds faster round the Ascari track than Merc’s 6.2-litre C-class and Audi’s RS4.

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Car and Driver takes the high-end SUV comparisons to a whole new level. Recently, we have seen the BMW X5 M going tete-a-tete with the Audi Q7 V12 TDI and the Range Rover, but this time around, C&D gives us THE ultimate comparison: the controversial, but impressive BMW X5 M measured against the Grand Cherokee SRT8, Range Rover Sport Supercharged and Cayenne Turbo S.

Same as with the previous comparison, the X5 M takes the crown and its endorsement is even larger when coming from C&D.  But before we jump into their review, let’s have a look at each car’s technical specs:

First Place: BMW X5 M

The first all-wheel-drive BMW made by the Motorsport division, X5 M is powered by 4.4 liter V8 twin-scroll turbo engine that outputs 555 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 rpm. It weighs 5,329 lbs and runs four seconds flat to 60 mph, 100 mph in 10 seconds, and the quarter-mile in 12.5 seconds at 112 mph. Braking performance—162 feet from 70 mph.

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For those of you that are still in doubt about the Motorsport performance outputted by the new BMW X5 M and X6 M, we have one advice: watch the video below. After seeing the impressive performance coming from the X6 M SAC, we were looking forward seeing the other “twin” on track and judging by the footage below, it does not disappoint.

The X5 M has size, speed, handling, dynamics and still features little off road capabilities. And the 0-60 mph in only 4.5 seconds…..well, that’s the cherry on the cake. We have to admit that BMW Motorsport division has done their homework with these first M SUVs and we still believe the sale numbers will be more than satisfactory. If the future reviews continue to be positive, Mercedes and Porsche will have a lot to worry about.

For those of you that might not recall, the BMW X5 M and X6 M are powered by a 4.4 liter V8 twin-turbo engine outputting 555 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 5,650 rpm. The engine uses the twin-scroll twin turbo technology with High Precision Direct Injection.

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After giving us a great article on the new BMW X6 M, the fellows at Edmunds are returning with a review of the “other twin”, BMW X5 M. The X6 M seem to impress many people and we have to admit that we’re blown away by the phenomenal performance on 0-60 mph – 4.3 seconds.

But will the X5 M match this performance?

“After driving the 2010 BMW X5 M, there were numerous subtitles for this story bouncing around in our head. Because it was only a handful of years ago, when BMW introduced the 2004 X5 4.8is, that it said, “There will never be an M version of the X5,” we were tempted to write, “Never Say Never.”

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While the first BMW X5 M and X6 M models are starting to show up at U.S. dealerships across the country, we thought it would be interesting to show you some new, real life photos of the BMW X5 M, the first Motorsport SAV built by the Munich based automaker.

BMW X5 M is powered by a tuned up 4.4 liter V8 M engine delivering 555 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 5,650 rpm. The engine uses the twin-scroll twin turbo technology with High Precision Direct Injection.

By positioning the twin-scroll turbochargers together with the catalytic converters in the “V” section between the cylinders, it minimizes the turbo lag and offers better fuel efficiency.

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BMW North America is hosting their complimentary M Power Tour street drive in different locations across United States. Yesterday, the M Power Tour stopped in the beautiful San Francisco where  people attending had the opportunity to do a 25-minute street drive in a 2009 BMW M3.

Part of M Power Tour events, BMW will display their first xDrive Motorsport models ever built: the BMW X5 M and X6 M. Courtesy of Rboosted717, a member of Xoutpost, we have some real life photos X5M/X6M photos to share with you. Also, in a conversation with a BMW M specialist, he learned that the X5M/X6M models will have three special colors: red, blue and black, but the standard color pallet will also be available.

The next M Power Tour event will take place this Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, at the BMW Designworks USA headquarters in Newbury Park, CA.

There is also another thing we would like to share with you. Last month, BMW’s European Delivery desk informed us that for those U.S. customers interested in taking delivery of a BMW at the Welt Center in Munich, they will automatically receive a free M track day behind the X5M/X6M models in Salzburg, Austria.

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