This past weekend, BMW M CEO Frank Van Meel went to Nurburgring not only to witness the great results of the DTM teams, but also to introduce to the world the new X3 M and X4 M SUVs. While the reveal was a bit more of a teaser preview, this was also the first time when we have to chance to see the two cars on video, of course, aside from the spy videos.
Unfortunately, the two cars were under heavy camouflage so we can’t really see how they look like. But Van Meel spent some time talking about some of the features we expect to see next year.
One of them was the new engine. BMW hasn’t confirmed the specs or the codename, but they did say “the technological highlight of the BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M is a newly developed straight six-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and high-revving characteristics.”
In our words: “Welcome the S58!” The M-tuned version of the B58 3-liter straight six mill will have at least 450 HP at its disposal. And while that may not seem like a huge improvement for some, the new engine is important not just for the X3 and X4 models but also for other M cars to be launched in the future.
The other important announcement coming from ///M Town revolved around the M xDrive transmission which is set to be used by the BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M models. BMW confirmed earlier in a press release: “Part of the development process is the specific tuning of the M xDrive technology introduced for the first time in the new BMW M5. This technology is deployed in the BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M to ensure constant supreme and performance-oriented transfer of engine power to all four wheels.”
Furthermore, Van Meel promises driving dynamics unparalleled in the segment: “With their M specific performance characteristics, the BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M will set benchmarks in terms of dynamics in their respective vehicle segment.”
Years ago Motor Trend compared X5 M with Mercedes AMG. Mercedes had the big stonkin’ engine but M blew it away dynamically – wonder if anything’s changed?
No such comparison was done by Motor Trend. Keep with reality and not fantasy.
Royce.
We already know you can’t write. We don’t require proof you can’t read.
Read what? There was no such review by Motor Trend. Your assertion is based on pure fantasy. Meanwhile I am about to publish my 12th book which is called: “Brown is more than just a colour”.
You can’t even colour in a book.
“Brown is more than just a colour” will have a chapter on fantasy. Make sure you read it.
Royce.
Delusional.
Clicked on this article thinking you had an interview with him. But you basically put in writing what he’d said in the earlier video. Meh . . .
We always say interview in the title. When there is an interview.
Keep up the great work!! I enjoyed the article:)
450hp seems conservative. Frank Van Meel said performance of new 6 cyl. engine in X4M/X3M will exceed anything ever in M3/M4 and exceed anything from competitors, by far. 470+hp base seems likely, with 510+hp – Competition trim. What if the engine has some electrication (instant torque, quick starts etc) to it? They’ve been talking about adding electrification to M engines. This might be it.
I like your thinking!
But, do you know who was the BMW M engineer who was the lead development engineer for this vehicle before his retirement, September 2017? This person also developed the 1st 2 generations of the X5M/X6M and other M models such as the M4 GTS?