I've driven a lot of cars over the past 17+ years and during that time I've compiled a
short list of favorites.
To make it, the vehicle has got to be exclusive, luxurious and shock people with its styling
and performance.
The original BMW X6 did those things and this new X6 M is even more satisfyingly preposterous
than the original.
2015 BMW X6MHear that?
That’s the sound of no compromises.
Unbeatable presence, astonishing performance.
That’s the X6 M’s credo making this all-new 2015 version one of the most seductive vehicles
a hundred grand can buy.
It’s a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too moment so delicious that your appetite to drive it
will never be sated.
Nothing about it is ordinary.
It starts as the sexier, coupe-like rendition of the X5 and then goes crazy with a full-on
M assault.
That includes a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, huge air intakes to feed it and quad pipes to let
it exhale.
There are max performance summer use 21” staggered width tires, a rear-biased all-wheel
drive system working in concert with torque vectoring between the rear wheels for even
greater agility and traction, M-specific steering ratios for more direct feel and massive brakes
for more confident stopping…all areas improved upon from the previous generation.
The Dynamic Stability Control system has been optimized to allow for power oversteer drifts.
This just seems so wrong in an SUV, which is why it feels so right.
The resume of M upgrades goes on and on which collectively elevates this X6 M even beyond
the original’s awesomeness, not the least of which is the modified exhaust, providing
even more of that great M sound we all crave.
It’s lighter, faster and more efficient.
And this new Long Beach Blue Metallic paint is a showstopper.
No video can do justice as to just how ridiculously fun the X6 M is to drive.
The absurdity of a 567hp SUV that can destroy 60mph in 4.0 seconds is exactly why I love
it.
It turns like a rear drive sports car and has every bit of precision you'd expect from
an M. Oh and it can play quiet and composed too with 5 usable seats and plenty of cargo
room.
What's not to love?
Ok, so I don’t love this futuristic shifter for the new 8-speed automatic apparently too
cool to include a Park function.
And the individual settings for engine, shocks, steering and transmission drive programs feel
overwrought, though you can program and save your favorite recipes as M mode 1 and 2.
Otherwise, I’d hardly change a thing.
From the comfort found in the front seats with their power side bolsters which hug you
in place to the color heads-up to display and optional NightVision system with pedestrian
detection, the X6 M’s aura of completeness and supreme level of competence is beyond
impressive.
You feel like you own the road.
In the X6 M, you are king.
When it’s not flaunting its newfound 553 pound-feet of torque, the X6 M is completely
cool with the family duty for which it was designed.
The sloping roof line really doesn’t eat away at rear headroom and it feels less cavernous
than before with comfortable and spacious seating for 3 thanks to the flat floor while
quad zone climate control and manual sunshades keep everyone happy.
The cargo area retains a large, useful cut with a number of clever features designed
to make hauling stuff easier and safer.
And of course, the rear seats fold nearly flat for easy expansion.
And the classic richness of the optional brown leather mixed with the modern mood of the
big center screen and carbon fiber trim is design genius.
And when you want to push it to its limits, the X6 M packs launch control, a wonderfully
smart paddle shifted transmission and the road holding ability of a legit sports coupe.
The engineering required to get a sport-utility to this level of driving precision is one
of BMW’s greatest feats.
Gas mileage is also improved upon, now rated at 14mpg city/19mpg highway with the added
benefit of an auto start/stop system.
A suite of intelligent safety features can be selectively disabled with a push of a button
and the iDrive system has a nifty touchpad controller that allows you to write with your
finger as well as Google search.
Sorry, but there’s no Wi-Fi.
And you know I love it when the LED headlights have fog lights to match.
If you fawned over the original X6 M the way I did you’re ensured of even more gratification
here…it is indeed one special vehicle.
MSRP as tested is $115,195.