Model: BMW X5 M
Starting Price: $98,500
Overview: The ultimate expression of BMW utility vehicle performance. Featuring all-season capability, room to spare, strikingly sporty looks and a rampage of power and torque, it’s one of the fastest sport utility models on the road today.
In addition to all must-have premium sport-ute features, the X5 M gets BMW’s M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine. The important stuff? It has 4.4L of displacement, two turbochargers and as much horsepower as four Hyundai Accents.
Putting all 555 ponies to the road is the permanent xDrive AWD system, and all models feature a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. High performance brakes, monstrous front-end ductwork and trademark quad-pipe exhaust complete the package.
Pros: When it comes to speed, performance, pedigree, and built-in, race-proven experience, the X5 M has few rivals. Driven gently, it’s surprisingly laid-back, gentle and quiet. Press the “M” button on the steering wheel to dial all systems up, and the BMW X5 M turns into a serious performance weapon.
Cons: Some drivers will wish for a more comfortable ride on rough surfaces, the exhaust note frightens nearby children, and you’ll probably wind up in trouble with your local law enforcement personnel if you don’t have tremendous self-control.
Noteworthy: This special V8 engine has the turbochargers, wastegates and catalysts assembled into a single unit that’s compactly mounted between the cylinder banks. The close proximity to the exhaust valves allows the turbochargers to do their job more effectively, spooling up faster and extracting more energy from the exhaust flow.
A heads-up display projects vital running data onto the windscreen, like a fighter jet.
Starting Price: $98,500
Overview: The ultimate expression of BMW utility vehicle performance. Featuring all-season capability, room to spare, strikingly sporty looks and a rampage of power and torque, it’s one of the fastest sport utility models on the road today.
In addition to all must-have premium sport-ute features, the X5 M gets BMW’s M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine. The important stuff? It has 4.4L of displacement, two turbochargers and as much horsepower as four Hyundai Accents.
Putting all 555 ponies to the road is the permanent xDrive AWD system, and all models feature a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. High performance brakes, monstrous front-end ductwork and trademark quad-pipe exhaust complete the package.
Pros: When it comes to speed, performance, pedigree, and built-in, race-proven experience, the X5 M has few rivals. Driven gently, it’s surprisingly laid-back, gentle and quiet. Press the “M” button on the steering wheel to dial all systems up, and the BMW X5 M turns into a serious performance weapon.
Cons: Some drivers will wish for a more comfortable ride on rough surfaces, the exhaust note frightens nearby children, and you’ll probably wind up in trouble with your local law enforcement personnel if you don’t have tremendous self-control.
Noteworthy: This special V8 engine has the turbochargers, wastegates and catalysts assembled into a single unit that’s compactly mounted between the cylinder banks. The close proximity to the exhaust valves allows the turbochargers to do their job more effectively, spooling up faster and extracting more energy from the exhaust flow.
A heads-up display projects vital running data onto the windscreen, like a fighter jet.
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| Photo: BMW |