MOTORING may be heading towards a greener future, but – for the time being at least - there’s still room for gas-guzzling monsters with brutal performance.
Enter the latest high-performance versions of the BMW X5 and X6, engineered by the German maker’s M Sports division and, in new third-generation form, more brutish than ever before.
With a 4.4-litre, twin-turbo, V8 engine pumping out 625hp – 50hp more than before - the new X5 and X6 M Competition SUVs will, at best, supp a gallon of petrol every 22.6 miles, according to official combined driving figures, and pump out a minimum of 289 grams of CO2 emissions every kilometre.
But they’re not the figures buyers will be looking at. They’ll be focussed on breathtaking acceleration from standstill to 62mph of 3.8/3.9 seconds – almost half a second faster than the previous model - and a top speed of 155mph that can be boosted to 180mph with the optional driver’s package.
In the seemingly ceaseless battle with rival prestige car makers - notably Mercedes-Benz - to produce the ultimate sporting, luxury SUV, BMW claims that these latest M models offer performance above that of any rival.
Priced at £110,610 for the X5 and £113,310 for the X6, the M Competition models won’t be available until April next year at the earliest but BMW dealers will happily take orders now.
At those prices you’d expect a lot of car for your money and you won’t be disappointed. An eight speed Steptronic transmission, all-wheel-drive, active differential, adaptive suspension with electronically controlled dampers and dynamic stability control all feature on the mechanical menu.
There are also with three selectable driving modes – road, sport and track - while the interior comes with exclusive leather upholstery and a digital cockpit with head-up display.
