BMW has launched the new X6 and X5 M50i here in Singapore. Launched at Jones the Grocer at Dempsey on 28 December, members of the media received an exclusive preview that included a guided walkthrough over the features of the new car.

As the model that first launched the innovative Sports Activity Coupe, the third generation X6 continues the tradition of class-leading innovation and performance.

The all new BMW X6 has grown by 26mm in length (to 4,935mm) and by 15mm in width (to 2,004mm), while standing 6mm lower (at 1,696mm) to deliver even greater visual masculinity. The flanks of the new car are also defined by familiar BMW proportions with a crisply drawn character line and dynamic roofline defining its sporty silhouette.

Two petrol units are offered for the new X6, with the X6 M50i receiving a twin-turbocharged 523bhp V8 petrol engine, while the X6 xDrive40i receives a twin-turbocharged straight-six petrol which develops 335bhp. Both models come with an automatic eight-speed Steptronic transmission, as well as BMW's intelligent all-wheel drive to maximise traction, agility and directional stability.

A double-wishbone front axle and five-link rear axle promise to deliver dynamism and ride comfort on the road and unshakable traction off the beaten track.

The X6 M50i however receives Adaptive M suspension Professional as standard with active roll stabilisation and Integral Active Steering for exceptionally agile and dynamic driving qualities, while the X6 xDrive40i comes equipped with two-axle air suspension including automatic self-levelling, allowing the car's ride height to be adjusted automatically with the push of a button by up to 80mm.

On the interior the cabin sports a modern and sporty appearance. The design of the cockpit, complete with the new arrangement and design of the control elements, represents a progressive re-interpretation of the driver focus for which BMW is renowned. The BMW X6 comes as standard with Vernasca leather upholstery for the X6 xDrive40i, and BMW Individual full-leather trim Merino for the BMW X6 M50i. A high degree of practicality is ensured thanks to 40:20:40 split rear seat backrests that can be folded down to increase boot capacity from 580 to 1,530 litres.

Both versions of the X6 get Cruise Control with braking function and Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function, which alerts the driver when a cyclist is detected as standard.

The Driving Assistant Professional is an additional option for the X6 xDrive40i and standard for the X6 M50i, and delivers steering and lane control assistant with Traffic jam assistant and lane keeping assistant with active side collision protection.

Also at the launch was the flagship of the BMW X5 range, the BMW X5 M50i.

The twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 now sports upgraded components such as the crankcase, cylinder barrels, pistons, crankshaft and cylinder head, as well as enlarged turbocharges to set it apart from its previous iteration, so that it now delivers 523bhp, and is mated to an M sports exhaust system as standard to bring out the remarkable sound characteristics of the V8 engine.

The X5 M50i is able to complete the sprint from zero to 100km/h in only 4.3 seconds.

The X5 M50i also sports a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle which is tuned with specific kinematics and elastokinematics for suspension and damping settings in order to deliver maximum potential from the outstanding drive design.

Model-specific exterior features that serve to emphasise the exclusive and sporty nature of the new BMW X5 M50i include extra-large air inlets in the front apron, as well as a unique design for the side sills and rear apron.

Selected design elements such as the front grille surrounds and side mirrors finished in Cerium Grey similarly serve to underline the outstanding status of the eight-cylinder models.

The X5 M50i's interior features an M leather upholstery with contrast stitching and perforated surfaces and interior strips in Aluminium Tetragon, while standard equipment also comprises of illuminated entry sills displaying the 'M50i' logo, a headliner in Anthracite and a Harmon Kardon surround sound system.