Los Angeles 2014: BMW X5 M, X6 M Revealed

by Cameron Aubernon

Published: November 19th, 2014

Forget DMX: BMW is giving it to you times two, with the unveiling of its M-enhanced X5 and X6 crossovers.

Both Xs boast a 4.4-liter V8 with twin-scroll turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and BMW’s Valvetronic airflow-regulation system. The end result: 567 horses and 553 lb-ft of torque pushed through all four corners via an M-tuned eight-speed auto, moving the crossovers from naught to 60 in 4 seconds.

The X5 M and X6 M receive the usual M-specific treatments throughout, while also saving the driver’s wallet at the pump, delivering a 20 percent boost in fuel efficiency per the European cycle; EPA cycle figures will come soon enough.

That said, the wallet will feel pain: $100,000 base for the X5 M, $103,000 for the base X6 M. Both crossovers will arrive in U.S. showrooms next spring.

#BMW #BMWX5M #BMWX6M #LosAngeles2014

Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

More by Cameron Aubernon

Comments

Join the conversation

5 of 12 comments

Hummer on Nov 19, 2014

Don't get me wrong the engine output is pretty good, and I'm a sucker for Sedona colored leather, but hasn't this body style been around for at least 10 years now? It's not bad, but it was never great enough to be considered timeless.

Like Reply
Energetik9 on Nov 19, 2014

I've always been impressed with these and secretly always wanted one. I prefer a much lower center of gravity, but this car is a beast and will surprise most everyone on the road. I've driven a couple of the previous versions and man can they move. Even the handling will surprise you.

Like Reply
- See 2 previous
- 30-mile fetch on Nov 19, 2014
  
  That's good. The sooner they accelerate out of my field of view, the happier I will be :)
  
  Like
- Ect on Nov 20, 2014
  
  Whatever the driving characteristics might be, I can't get over how unbelievably UGLY the X6 is. Especially the back half - fat beyond imagining.
  
  Like
- S1L1SC on Nov 20, 2014
  
  I was lucky enough to get to drive the previous generation X5 4.8is when it first came out - that was a beast back then, I can only imagine what a monster this one must be. Really good handling for something that big and heavy too - was very surprised.
  
  Like

Recent Comments

Formula m For the gas versions I like the Honda CRV. Haven’t driven the hybrids yet.
SCE to AUX All that lift makes for an easy rollover of your $70k truck.
SCE to AUX My son cross-shopped the RAV4 and Model Y, then bought the Y. To their surprise, they hated the RAV4.
SCE to AUX I'm already driving the cheap EV (19 Ioniq EV).$30k MSRP in late 2018, $23k after subsidy at lease (no tax hassle)$549/year insurance$40 in electricity to drive 1000 miles/month66k miles, no range lossAffordable 16" tiresVirtually no maintenance expensesHyundai (for example) has dramatically cut prices on their EVs, so you can get a 361-mile Ioniq 6 in the high 30s right now.But ask me if I'd go to the Subaru brand if one was affordable, and the answer is no.
David Murilee Martin, These Toyota Vans were absolute garbage. As the labor even basic service cost 400% as much as servicing a VW Vanagon or American minivan. A skilled Toyota tech would take about 2.5 hours just to change the air cleaner. Also they also broke often, as they overheated and warped the engine and boiled the automatic transmission...