The BMW X6 gets the M Sport treatment

It wasn’t long ago when BMW introduced the all new X6 to our country, the introduction had been one of the highlights of the inaugural BMW World Malaysia event back in April. Ok, we have to admit that the launch was overshadowed by a certain hybrid sport car but now BMW Group Malaysia is making amends by gifting the Sport Activity Coupe (SAC) M upgrades.

So what will you get when you purchase a BMW X6 M? The most distinguishable characteristics on the outside are the M double-bridge kidney grille, the M side skirts and the M Twin tailpipes which were enlarged by ten millimetres. You will also spot M Twin-arm exterior mirrors while the gills behind the front wheels and muscular flared wheel arches frame the 21-inch M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres to ensure direct steering response and perfect handling.

And like all of BMW’s M spec-ced cars, the X6 M does not miss out on the three-spoke leather-wrapped M steering wheel with integrated gearshift paddles and the M gearshift lever and driving dynamic buttons that are orientated towards the driver for easy reach flanked by knee-pads for increased comfort.

You’ll be cocooned in exclusive M multifunction seats that were fitted to reflect some of the luxurious qualities of the car yet give perfect support even during dynamic drives. Another M feature that the X6 M did not miss out is the M instrument cluster with a display area for M-specific dynamics system and an M-Drive Menu in the Control Display that allows drivers to customise the car’s driving characteristics with the M Drive Buttons.

Now for the technical aspects, the X6 M’s M-specific chassis is lowered by ten millimetres and modified features include stiffer springs that works with the active Dynamic Drive anti-roll system to give the X6 M significantly reduced lateral tilt and body roll in fast bends while Dynamic Performance Control works to reduce understeer. The car also comes standard with pneumatic rear suspension and Dynamic Damper Control with electronically adjustable damping for Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes.

Combine that new axle with the M-tuned xDrive all-wheel drive system, the X6 M has brilliant road-gripping talents that delivers perfect distribution of drive between the front and rear axles. Additional support comes from M Servotronic, a rack and pinion steering system with electric speed-dependent power steering adjustments.

Under the bonnet lies the most powerful engine created for all-wheel drive vehicles to date, a 4.4-litre V8 M TwinPower Turbo engine that delivers a colossal 575bhp and 750Nm. That is a 20bhp increase in horses and a ten per cent up on torque numbers from its predecessor. This gives the X6 M the ability to sprint from 0-100kph in just 4.2 seconds. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions has been reduced by more than 20 per cent to just 11.1l/km and 258g/km.

That 4.4-litre V8 TwinPower Turbo engine is tagged to an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic that allows for extra fine changes between gears with extremely rapid shifts. As an M exclusive feature, there is no automatic force-transmitting connection between the engine and the transmission when the car is at a standstill allowing the car to move only after the driver taps the accelerator.

A full-colour Head-Up Display with an M-specific view for displaying gears and rev range with Shift Lights comes as an option for drivers. So will the BMW M lap timer app that can be accessed via the iDrive Controller.

The BMW X6 M will set you back RM1,238,800.00 on the road without insurance but the car will come with BMW Malaysia’s brand new five-year unlimited mileage warranty scheme with free scheduled service programme. Ready to get your cheque books out?

Jerrica Leong