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.

We’re anxiously waiting for our X5 M and looking forward to the thrill and excitement we’ve encountered while testing the X6 M on track back in July. It was our “first date” with the new Ms and it was a sweet one. Some may call it love on first sight, others may refer to it as “fanboyism”, but truth is that it’s really hard to explain in words the experience behind the wheel and the best thing one can do…. is to actually drive them.

Now if BMW will include them in the M Performance School program, we will make sure to book the first flight out to Spartanburg.

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.”

One blast down the drag strip in this 555-horsepower breadbox in Monte Carlo Blue had us shouting, “12-second SUV!” If we believed the rumor (and we don’t) that one of the primary reasons for the X5 M’s existence is to satisfy the conspicuously well-funded market among the mobsters in Russia, then we could’ve run with “From Russia With Love.”

Finally, one serene drive home on L.A.’s notoriously poorly constructed freeways where we discovered this X5 M’s ride was far better than that of our long-term 2008 BMW X5 4.8i almost compelled us to put down, “Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde.”

A New M
It’s not an accident that the newly M-bedazzled X5 has the ability to be both a remarkable performance machine and a completely livable grocery getter. If you had no knowledge of the record-breaking performance potential contained within the X5 M, you’d never know it had a dual personality.

Full Article Continued

P.S. Our own review will soon be available

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.

The M X models come equipped with Dynamic Performance Control, special M suspensions and Adaptive Drive, along with a new Servotronic power steering and Active Roll Stabilization system. Other available options are: Head Up Display, Rear View Camera and High Beam Assistant.

BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M run from 0-60 mph in ONLY 4.5 seconds, making the M twins the fastest SUV/SAVs out there.

The 6-speed M Sports Automatic transmission is featured for the first time on a BMW M vehicle. There are two other modes available beside the regular Drive, Sport and M Manual. Gears can be manually shifted through the paddles located on the M steering wheel.

Due to the M Suspension, the BMW X6 M and X5 M are sitting about 0.4 inch lower compared to the regular models. The M twins sit on 20-inch light-allow whels and runflat tires: 275/40 at the front and 315/30 at the rear.

In the U.S., the base price for the BMW X5 M is set at $85,400

[Source: Bimmerschwag ]

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.

The first U.S. xDrive M models will be available in October. The BMW X5 M has a base price of $85,400 while the X6 M is priced at $88,900.

[For more information from these events, visit Xoutpost.com ]

As mentioned earlier by us, the BMW X5 M shares the same engine with the X6 M model, a new M twin-turbo engine which uses a common exhaust manifold joining both rows of cylinders, with the turbochargers and catalytic converters placed in the V-section. The result? Less turbo lag and a more direct response.

The BMW X5 M and X6 M are the first Motorsport all-wheel-drive models coming out of the Munich factory gates. We’re not looking at a regular AWD system though, but rather a combination of the Dynamic Performance Control system and the xDrive.

BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M come as standard with air suspension and self-leveling on the rear axle as well as Adaptive Drive with electronically adjustable dampers and active anti-roll control for higher stability.

Both models feature Bi-xenon dual headlights including a daytime driving light function.

Being a true M model, the BMW X5 M comes equipped with high-performance brakes combined with inner-vented lightweight brake discs. The X5 M sits on 20 inch wheels, which in my opinion, are slightly smaller than we want to.

Moving inside, the design is all about the M brand, starting with M sport seats, M steering wheel, M entry trim and footrest and finishing with a beautiful M shifter.

Same as the X6 M, due to the 555 horsepower coming out of the M engine, the BMW X5 M reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, putting the Porsche Cayenne S on the spot.