Without having to state the obvious, the BMW X6 Sport Activity Coupe (SAC) is a handful on the road. It's definitely got presence, but it's not the most nimble on tighter city roads and challenging in carparks. But we've already highlighted that in previous reviews on the BMW X6 xDrive50i and the BMW X6 M50d.
But for those who found those cars a little too soft and craved something a little more ostentatious, more luxurious and racier, the X6 M that you see here - from BMW M GmbH - has been designed and engineered specifically to satisfy such desires.
Up close and Personal
Admittedly, our first reaction upon sighting the X6 M was a low "Woah…". It isn't the surprise at its bright Long Beach Blue colour with fancy two-tone Merino and Aragon Brown leather upholstery and carbon fibre accents in its interior. It's because the car had been sandwiched between two other cars in a narrow parking lot, which can be tricky to navigate out of.
You see, at 4,909mm long, 1,989mm wide and 1,702mm tall, the X6 M is a very stout car and while it's got a bird's eye view camera, one can never really trust that. Plus, the car features an extremely sporty racing kit that's sculpted to include a trio of large air vents with honey-comb mesh, and twin-stalk side mirrors for maximum aesthetic and aerodynamic effect.
It's very outstanding and very aggressive but, somehow, pulling out of that narrow parking lot feels a lot like asking a model out on a date. It certainly makes an impression, and it got our hearts beating a little quicker.
But for those who found those cars a little too soft and craved something a little more ostentatious, more luxurious and racier, the X6 M that you see here - from BMW M GmbH - has been designed and engineered specifically to satisfy such desires.
Up close and Personal
Admittedly, our first reaction upon sighting the X6 M was a low "Woah…". It isn't the surprise at its bright Long Beach Blue colour with fancy two-tone Merino and Aragon Brown leather upholstery and carbon fibre accents in its interior. It's because the car had been sandwiched between two other cars in a narrow parking lot, which can be tricky to navigate out of.
You see, at 4,909mm long, 1,989mm wide and 1,702mm tall, the X6 M is a very stout car and while it's got a bird's eye view camera, one can never really trust that. Plus, the car features an extremely sporty racing kit that's sculpted to include a trio of large air vents with honey-comb mesh, and twin-stalk side mirrors for maximum aesthetic and aerodynamic effect.
It's very outstanding and very aggressive but, somehow, pulling out of that narrow parking lot feels a lot like asking a model out on a date. It certainly makes an impression, and it got our hearts beating a little quicker.
From the outside, the X6 M is immediately distinctive. Being brightly coloured with large 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels and a distinctive four-tailpipe exhaust layout helps, but so does the 'M' badging on its boot lid, air slits by the wheel arch, M-specific racing brakes and X6 M badge on the BMW kidney grille's double bars. Built to straddle road and racetrack use, the car wears the 'M' badge with honour, complete with the race-ready get-up that oozes excitement at every angle.
On the inside though, the car is as luxurious as it is sporty. You'd find all the trappings and comforts of a first class cabin experience. It's like being inside a private jet, just cosier. And if you really need to, the car has got up to 1,525 litres in the boot to haul stuff along.
But while this is a luxury SAC, it's got racy bits like a round-knobbed gearstick and assortment of controls that lets the driver toggle the responses in transmission, acceleration, steering feel and suspension settings to suit personal preferences.
On the inside though, the car is as luxurious as it is sporty. You'd find all the trappings and comforts of a first class cabin experience. It's like being inside a private jet, just cosier. And if you really need to, the car has got up to 1,525 litres in the boot to haul stuff along.
But while this is a luxury SAC, it's got racy bits like a round-knobbed gearstick and assortment of controls that lets the driver toggle the responses in transmission, acceleration, steering feel and suspension settings to suit personal preferences.
The Drive
The X6 M is arguably the largest and heaviest M model in BMW's stable, but it is by no means tame or slow. On the contrary, you get the same rush of anticipation the moment you belt up in the driver's seat.
Power from the car comes from a tuned up version of BMW's 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. And in this iteration, the car puts out a jaw-dropping 575bhp and 750Nm of torque. Accessible from as early as 2,500rpm, it only takes a split second of pressure on the throttle to literally blaze the car from 0 to 100km/h, which takes merely 4.2 seconds.
It may be crazy fast, but in its Comfort mode, the hard-edgedness in the car is tempered down so occupants can enjoy the plushness of the cabin. This is all well and good with the missus and kids around, because when they're not, all forms of driving pleasure can be experienced in Sports + mode.
The throttle response is perfect and the eight-speed Steptronic autobox blips enthusiastically with each gear shift. In this setting, the car really feels like Pacman swallowing up tarmac. Driving it hard, you will definitely be entertained by the orchestra of deep gurgling growl, baritone boom, pops and crackles.
The X6 M is arguably the largest and heaviest M model in BMW's stable, but it is by no means tame or slow. On the contrary, you get the same rush of anticipation the moment you belt up in the driver's seat.
Power from the car comes from a tuned up version of BMW's 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. And in this iteration, the car puts out a jaw-dropping 575bhp and 750Nm of torque. Accessible from as early as 2,500rpm, it only takes a split second of pressure on the throttle to literally blaze the car from 0 to 100km/h, which takes merely 4.2 seconds.
It may be crazy fast, but in its Comfort mode, the hard-edgedness in the car is tempered down so occupants can enjoy the plushness of the cabin. This is all well and good with the missus and kids around, because when they're not, all forms of driving pleasure can be experienced in Sports + mode.
The throttle response is perfect and the eight-speed Steptronic autobox blips enthusiastically with each gear shift. In this setting, the car really feels like Pacman swallowing up tarmac. Driving it hard, you will definitely be entertained by the orchestra of deep gurgling growl, baritone boom, pops and crackles.
Stable round the corners, the X6 M's firm suspension allows it to turn in very neatly - delivering an ideal amount of feedback to the driver. The downside, though, is that given the heft of the car, you will be cautious and opt to gun the car on the straights instead. And there's where you'd find that the car can keep on going until you're out of road.
Conclusion
For those with the means and desire to set it free and indulge having the best of what the X6 has to offer, the X6 M will scratch that and deliver a driving experience laced with copious amounts of excitement and pleasure. It's definitely a car to love, but one that may be a little too fast and too demanding after a long day.
The test car here, with all the niceties included, costs S$536,800 with COE (as of 14th September 2015).
Conclusion
For those with the means and desire to set it free and indulge having the best of what the X6 has to offer, the X6 M will scratch that and deliver a driving experience laced with copious amounts of excitement and pleasure. It's definitely a car to love, but one that may be a little too fast and too demanding after a long day.
The test car here, with all the niceties included, costs S$536,800 with COE (as of 14th September 2015).
