My first drive of the BMW X6 was in the early summer of 2008. It was mechanically superb, as you’d expect from a Bimmer, delivered a comfortable ride and, with a sloped back, was somewhat of an odd-looker.
I had seen the X6 at the Detroit auto show in January ’08, then took another look when it showed up at the Denver Auto Show two months later. At that time, I asked Karen Silveri, a BMW official, if I might drive it. “Probably not,” she said, “since it will be rushed to Phoenix immediately following the Denver show.” She said maybe she could give me a short ride in it. “Probably not,” I said, and waited for one to be delivered to me in June. It was worth the wait.
Seven years later, an M-badged variant of the X6 has come my way. Still the same “like it or not” styling, though this one is absolutely amazing in performance. To many observers, the M badge is a clear giveaway that the car is something special. It is three stripes of red, light blue and dark blue and the letter M.
The M represents M GmbH, a subsidiary of German manufacturer BMW, which develops specially modified higher-trim models. These include high-powered engines and modifications to transmissions, suspensions, exteriors and interiors.
For the 2015 BMW X6 M that means 567 horsepower and 553 lb.-ft. of torque from a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-liter V-8 with direct injection and variable valve control. It’s the most power ever produced for the X6 or X5, on which the 6 is based.
Mated to all that performance is a new 8-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual modes, paddle shifters on the steering wheel and launch control. Separate buttons will alter quickness of the steering, firmness of the suspension and throttle response of the engine from comfort to sport to sport plus levels.
The X6 rides on a wide track of 65.6 inches and is equipped with xDrive, BMW’s all-wheel-drive system, tuned to M requirements. I’ve long rated the X5 as one of the most capable snow- and ice-driving vehicles and the X6 is equal to those conditions.
The X6 M follows by only a month the testing of the 707-horsepower Dodge Charger Hellcat; I honestly could tell little difference in the acceleration rates of the two. Both are awe-inspiring. The Hellcat’s 707 horsepower, the 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports AWD Coupe with 622 and a 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 with 580 are the only models I’ve tested that have exceeded the 567 of the X6.
The X6 M review model is finished in melbourne red metallic paint, with special, pricey 21-inch wheels and big 15-inch brakes. It averaged 17.9 miles per gallon of premium fuel.
Attractive inside are silverstone white merino leather seats and armrests; most often German-built products show up with much darker interiors. The dash is of stitched leather and the headliner of anthracite alcantra. Even with a tall structure and its overall length of almost 194 inches, the rear-seat legroom and headroom are somewhat tight. Cargo space behind the rear seat is 26.6 cubic feet.
A Harmon Kardon surround-sound audio system and navigation, with iDrive control, dominate a 10.2-inch touchscreen display.
Though a well-equipped X6 model can be bought in the $70,000 range, the M-specialties send sticker price for the ’15 X6 M four-door to $109,950. That included side/top view/rear view cameras, active cruise/blind-spot detection/lane-change alert, front heated and ventilated seats/rear heated, thigh-extended front seats, four-zone climate control and soft-close automatic doors.
The M package ties the powerful X6 closely to its home base in Germany; the crossover, however, is assembled in Spartanburg, S.C.
Here are the specifications for the ’15 BMW X6 M:
- Capacity 5-passenger sedan
- Wheelbase 115.5 inches
- Length 193.8 inches
- Width 78.3 inches
- Height 66.5 inches
- Curb Weight 5,185 pounds
- Track 65.6 inches front, rear
- Ground Clearance 8.1 inches
- Turn Circle 42 feet
- Drivetrain Allt-wheel-drive
- Engine 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8
- Horsepower/Torque 567/553
- Transmission 8-speed automatic
- Steering electric-assist rack-and-pinion
- Suspension Independent double wishbones front, multilink rear
- Fuel mileage estimate 14/19
- Fuel mileage average 17.9
- Fuel Tank 22.4 gallons, premium
- Wheels 21-inch
- Tires Michelin Pilot Super Sport 285/35ZR21 front, 325/30ZR21 rear
- Cargo Volume 26.6 cubic feet
- Warranty 4 years/50,000 miles basic, powertrain
Competitors Mercedes-Benz ML63AMG, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Audi RS7, Range Rover Sport SVR
Assembly Plant Spartanburg, S.C.
Parts Content U.S./Canadian 10%, Germany 65%
Base Price of Lowest Model $102,100; Base Price of Review Model $102,100; Destination Charge $950; Sticker Price $109,950.