The angry twins.
German performance company BMW M have revealed their two new hot SUVs, the X3M and X4M, both packing twin-turbocharged inline-6 engines that make a racket and go like a rocket. But if that’s not enough, they’ve also revealed the Competition versions of both cars, which make them even more noisy and even more rocket-y.
With prices unspecified but a local arrival scheduled in the second-half of this year, the new X3M and X4M are a right treat to behold, in either standard or Competition guises. Aesthetically, the M cars get more aggressive bumpers on either end, plenty of gloss-black highlights around the place (like on the grille, which goes a long way in reducing the visual bulk of that nose), and 20-inch ‘M-light’ alloys, which are standard.
What’s also standard is no less than 353kW and 600Nm, with power going to all-four wheels via an 8-speed M-Steptronic automatic, M-fettled xDrive, and an M-fettled differential at the rear. M is keen to point out that the xDrive system fitted here is identical to the one in the bonkers BMW M5, which means the front axle can be disconnected entirely should the situation ask for it. It also means that the M differential at the rear will ensure that power is expertly put down to the ground at the maximum possible level.
0-100km/h is settled in just 4.2-seconds, in cars that can quite happily fit a dog in the rear. Insane.
An M-car isn’t an M-car unless it has pin-sharp dynamics, and the X3M and X4M don’t appear to disappoint. There’s three selectable drive modes to choose from, with each changing the characteristics of the power delivery, throttle response, steering weighting, and suspension setup. This ensures comfort when needed, and dynamism when needed, and maximum versatility. You’ll also find M-performance brakes because ‘go’ is almost always followed, eventually, by ‘stop.’
Opt for a Competition car and first up, you get an extra 22kW, to bring it up to a total of 375kW. The century sprint time drops to 4.1-seconds (imagine what you’ll do with all that extra time), the exterior gets much more aggressive, and you get plenty of exterior and interior upgrades. While the standard car rides on 20-inch alloys and gets a Vernasca leather cabin, the Competition models get 21-inch alloys, an M-Sport exhaust system, Merino-leather upholstery, ‘Competition’ kick plates, and a model nameplate on the centre console.
Not special enough? Then you can opt for the dual-tone leather upholstery, that features Alcantara inserts for maximum grippiness. Not that that’s entirely necessary, as electrically-adjustable sports seats are standard-fare.
Also standard are the LED headlights, upmarket audio system, and Navigation Professional infotainment system that, surprise, offers satellite navigation. What is not standard is the M Carbon exterior pack, a popular option, that adds on CFRP front intakes, fascia air blades, rear diffuser, and exterior mirror caps.
Prices have not yet been detailed for the Aussie market, but those should be coming in before the cars themselves arrive on our shores. Hungry for a hot BMW SUV yet?
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