We take two BMW M SUVs to the track, because why not
14 Nov 2019Viewed : 7,887 times
In motoring circles, it is almost a sin to like an SUV. Thus, I have a confession to make. I like them. Performance SUVs? Even better.
Yes, a low slung sedan or coupe will be dynamically better to drive. But for actual on-road fast driving duties, I trust the SUV. Tall ride height? Easier to place on the road. And with more space inside, they're easier to live with.
"But it isn't nice to take corners in," says the car purist in me. True, if I ever find myself picking a car for the track, I'd skip the X3 M for an M3. Easy choice.
But the question remains: How would an SUV do on the track? During the BMW M Festival in South Africa, I had the opportunity to find out. With Kyalami Circuit to conquer, the tools for the job were the X3 M and X4 M Competition.
And it isn't a circuit to be taken lightly. The 15-turn, 4.5km circuit has played host to Formula One and South Africa's own production races. Fast and narrow, it features blind crests and turns, with over 40m in elevation changes.
Really? An SUV on a track?!
With 503bhp and 600Nm of torque, there's no denying the pace of this thing. We were easily touching 200km/h on the main straight and soon enough we're hard on the brakes for the first corner.
Here is where you start to question your decisions of hurtling a two tonne SUV on a track. You can feel the car's heft, and at that speed and height, a little unsettling with a sharp left approaching fast. But thanks to the big M brakes up front, speed is reduced considerably before the corner.
No fear
And at this point, you assume you've reached the limits of grip. Yet, the X3 M's traction control system offers plenty more, and the car just pulls you into the corner with the sort of verve you expect a sports sedan will do.
By then, you touch the corner kerbs and expect an unsettling flutter through the cabin. But there is none - it is smooth as silk.
The X3 M defies the SUV physics we've grown used to, offering a spirited and entertaining drive around Kyalami. By the next 14 turns, I had a big smile on my face.
Then there's the coupe-like brethren of the X3 M. It is the X4 M Competition. But aside from looks, both cars share the exact platform.
X4 M, just looks?
Despite having the same platform, the X4 M obediently follows your every direction through the apex with no protest. There isn't as much roll as the X3 M, and there wasn't a time when we felt an obvious understeer.
It even carries more speed through corners, but that might be because I already learnt a thing or two about driving an SUV fast with the X3 M earlier.
This had me confused. In the spirit of automakers sharing platforms between models, the common complaint is always about cars essentially feeling and driving the same. But this isn't the case for the two M SUVs.
From what I understood from my instructor during the drive, it is all thanks to the X4 M's shape. It is wider, lower and longer than the X3 M - properties that give it better stability and driving feel.
That offers the X4 M better steering feel, and behind the wheel, it certainly is confidence-inspiring.
Perhaps if you want a performance SUV with occasional plans to hit the track, the X4 M might just be it.
Here's the fast SUVs to go for
I've mentioned how the SUV is the car for the road. The X3 M and X4 M take the road-going SUV to another level by actually doing well on the track.
But with these two cars, it is a different game. They challenge your beliefs on vehicle dynamics. With immense pace and corner carving abilities, they both leave you with a sense of accomplishment no sedan or coupe could ever give.
And in our world of performance and everyone's palate for SUVs, it is absolutely perfect.
In motoring circles, it is almost a sin to like an SUV. Thus, I have a confession to make. I like them. Performance SUVs? Even better.
Yes, a low slung sedan or coupe will be dynamically better to drive. But for actual on-road fast driving duties, I trust the SUV. Tall ride height? Easier to place on the road. And with more space inside, they're easier to live with.
"But it isn't nice to take corners in," says the car purist in me. True, if I ever find myself picking a car for the track, I'd skip the X3 M for an M3. Easy choice.
But the question remains: How would an SUV do on the track? During the BMW M Festival in South Africa, I had the opportunity to find out. With Kyalami Circuit to conquer, the tools for the job were the X3 M and X4 M Competition.
And it isn't a circuit to be taken lightly. The 15-turn, 4.5km circuit has played host to Formula One and South Africa's own production races. Fast and narrow, it features blind crests and turns, with over 40m in elevation changes.
Really? An SUV on a track?!
Kyalami is a fast but technical circuit, with significant elevation changes that will catch you off guard
With 503bhp and 600Nm of torque, there's no denying the pace of this thing. We were easily touching 200km/h on the main straight and soon enough we're hard on the brakes for the first corner.
Here is where you start to question your decisions of hurtling a two tonne SUV on a track. You can feel the car's heft, and at that speed and height, a little unsettling with a sharp left approaching fast. But thanks to the big M brakes up front, speed is reduced considerably before the corner.
No fear
And at this point, you assume you've reached the limits of grip. Yet, the X3 M's traction control system offers plenty more, and the car just pulls you into the corner with the sort of verve you expect a sports sedan will do.
By then, you touch the corner kerbs and expect an unsettling flutter through the cabin. But there is none - it is smooth as silk.
The X3 M defies the SUV physics we've grown used to, offering a spirited and entertaining drive around Kyalami. By the next 14 turns, I had a big smile on my face.
Then there's the coupe-like brethren of the X3 M. It is the X4 M Competition. But aside from looks, both cars share the exact platform.
X4 M, just looks?
Despite having the same platform, the X4 M obediently follows your every direction through the apex with no protest. There isn't as much roll as the X3 M, and there wasn't a time when we felt an obvious understeer.
It even carries more speed through corners, but that might be because I already learnt a thing or two about driving an SUV fast with the X3 M earlier.
This had me confused. In the spirit of automakers sharing platforms between models, the common complaint is always about cars essentially feeling and driving the same. But this isn't the case for the two M SUVs.
From what I understood from my instructor during the drive, it is all thanks to the X4 M's shape. It is wider, lower and longer than the X3 M - properties that give it better stability and driving feel.
That offers the X4 M better steering feel, and behind the wheel, it certainly is confidence-inspiring.
Perhaps if you want a performance SUV with occasional plans to hit the track, the X4 M might just be it.
Here's the fast SUVs to go for
I've mentioned how the SUV is the car for the road. The X3 M and X4 M take the road-going SUV to another level by actually doing well on the track.
But with these two cars, it is a different game. They challenge your beliefs on vehicle dynamics. With immense pace and corner carving abilities, they both leave you with a sense of accomplishment no sedan or coupe could ever give.
And in our world of performance and everyone's palate for SUVs, it is absolutely perfect.
Thank You For Your Subscription.
Tags
