BMW X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition get mild hybrid power, added visual aggression

BMW has revealed the new X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition.

Headline fact for both cars is the fact they now pair their 4.4-litre V8 turbocharged engine with mild-hybrid technology.

Output for both cars still continue to stand at 617bhp and 750Nm of torque, although BMW states that the new electric motor integrated in the housing of the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission delivers 12bhp of additional drive power and 200Nm of torque, while also functioning as a crankshaft-mounted starter generator.

Despite this, both the new X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition will now take 3.9 seconds to hit 100km/h from a standstill, 0.1 second slower than the claimed sprint time of the examples they replace.

Not that many potential buyers should be troubled, as there are many new upgrades with this new iterations of the performance SUVs.

To start, the aforementioned eight-speed M Steptronic transmission now has been retuned to deliver a sharper shift action. The M xDrive all-wheel drive system, Active M Differential at the rear axle, as well as the electronically controlled dampers of both cars have also been reworked.

Both cars also have been updated to look more aggressive than before.

Up front, both cars now sport matrix LED head lights with adaptive control. These sit on either side of a redesigned grille, now all black and featuring horizontal kidney grille bars.

Also new here is enlarged model badging alongside a new, central lower air intake. Opt for the BMW X5 M Competition and you'll also now get x-shaped fibre-optic light guide elements for its rear lights and brake lights.

Step into the cabin of either car and you'll also notice both get the firm's Curved Display, here integrating a 12.3-inch information display with a 14.9-inch control display within a single glass surface. M multifunction seats, fine-grain Merino full leather trim and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System are all standard in both cars.