What is it?
2010 BMW X6 M
What's special about it?
This is the hot-rod SUV that BMW has been resisting for years. The Motorsport division continually turned its back on the idea of applying its high-performance formula to a vehicle built not for hustling down desolate back roads but ski vacations and carpooling instead.
Then again, profit margins are thin these days and SUVs have evolved, so BMW has changed its tune. The 2010 BMW X6 M is not only the first sport-utility to wear the "M" badge (alongside the new X5 M), but also the first modern Motorsport vehicle to use a turbocharged engine.
And before you dismiss the idea of an M car with forced induction, take a look at the setup. It's engineering at its finest. The Motorsport engineers managed to squeeze two twin-scroll turbochargers into the cylinder valley, along with a pair of catalytic converters and a two-piece exhaust manifold that earned a patent for its design.
It's not just for show, either. Output is a substantial 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, all of which is on tap from 1,500-5,650 rpm. An M Sport six-speed automatic transmission funnels all that power to BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
The X6 M also comes standard with BMW's Dynamic Performance Control system, which is a fancy name for its rear differential that's capable of redistributing power to improve cornering grip. There's launch control, and using it will get the X6 M from zero to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, according to BMW.
There are no major design differences to the double-wishbone front/multilink rear suspension design. The damper settings are unique, the rear axle mounts are stiffer and the front control-arm bushings have been revised. A rear self-leveling air suspension is standard, as is a ride height that's 0.4 inch lower than the standard model.
And since you can't have a Motorsport model without gigantic, over-engineered brakes, the X6 M features rotors that measure 15.6 inches in front and 15.2 inches in back. The four-piston calipers are fixed in front and floating in back. The 20-inch wheels wear 275/40R20 run-flat tires in front and 315/35R20 tires in back.
Thankfully, the interior upgrades are less over the top. M Sport seats and an M Sport steering wheel are the most obvious changes. There's a variable-redline speedometer, along with an optional head-up display that can be reconfigured by the driver through the M Drive menu. It's all quite tasteful-looking, which is good considering that the outside is somewhat of an acquired taste.
Inside Line says: Sad to see BMW cave in on its promise to leave SUVs out of the Motorsport lineup. Then again, we have been asking for an M5 wagon for some time — and here it is. — Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor
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