Introduced in 2009, the X6 debuted to an SUV->ke145-crazed world that didn’t know what to think of it. The very next year, the M-version rolled out with a massively powerful, 4.4-liter V-8, all-wheel-drive, and a sport-tuned suspension. Now things were really confusing BMW’s->ke178 SUV-that-isn’t-really-an-SUV is getting a substantial update for 2015, including both the standard X6 and its high performance variant, the X6 M.

Time has now passed and the X6 has been mostly accepted into the BMW fold. Like its cousin, the X5,->ke326 the X6->ke2396 and X6 M are getting a smart refresh for 2015. Both M vehicles receive important changes under the hood, with a three percent increase in horsepower, a welcomed 10 percent increase in torque, and an estimated 20 percent gain in fuel economy.

The changes behind the kidney grille are only part of the story. Keep reading for the full story.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 BMW X6 M.

2015 BMW X6 M

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 BMW X6 M
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 567 @ 6000
  • Torque: 553 @ 2200
  • Transmission: eight-speed M Steptronic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Spy Shots

February 10, 2014 - 2015 BMW X6 M testing in the cold

Updated 08/28/12: The BMW X6 M is losing its camouflage slowly buy surely. This only means one thing: expect the luxury coupe SUV to be revealed sooner than later.

Exterior

The X6 M is clearly distinguishable from the lesser X6. Huge vents, air intakes, and diffusers populate nearly every inch of real estate on the exterior. But the extroverted styling isn’t just for looks. The air intakes at the front help keep the twin-turbocharged engine, eight-speed transmission, and massive brakes cool during track duty. The little vent behind the front tires is there to help smooth turbulent air inside the front wheel wells.

The 2015 body changes also include more pronounced accent lines along the vehicle’s flanks, headlights that are extended to meet the grille and a revised kidney grille. The X6 M still sports its signature fastback design that makes it easy to spot and also very controversial.

While the X6 M has never been a beautiful vehicle, this is certainly the best looking X6 M to date.

Exterior Dimensions

Length

4,909 MM (193.26 Inches)

Width

1,989 MM (78.30 Inches)

Height

1,689 MM (66.49 Inches)

Wheelbase

2,933 MM (115.47 Inches)

Track, front/rear

1666/1667 MM (65.59/65.62 Inches)

Ground clearance

195 (7.7 Inches)

Turning circle

12.8 M (42 Feet)


Interior

Things inside are equally new and interesting. The cabin is awash in fine Merino leather topped by an Alcantara anthracite headliner. Aluminum accents abound as does Nappa leather along the dashboard and door panels. That aluminum continues onto the gear shifter and iDrive controller. A four-zone climate control system keeps everybody comfortable while a Harman Kardon sound system tickles the ears. BMW also updated the navigation system to include better graphics, more capability, and 3D mapping.

Getting down to business, BMW swapped out the standard instrument cluster for an M-specific unit. It includes a gear selection display, system status readout of the Dynamic Damper Control and M Servotronic, and M Drive Modes. The optional Heads-Up-Display also gets an M-specific look, with a digital speedometer, rev counter, shift light, and gear display.

BMW is also integrating smartphones into the system. With an app called M Laptimer, owners can sync their phones to the iDrive system and pull driving data and lap time information after their day at the track.

Interior Dimensions

Weight, unladen, to DIN/EU

2265/2340 KG (4993/5158 LBS)

Max load to DIN

685 KG (1510 LBS)

Max permissible weight

2950 KG (6503 LBS)

Max axle load, front/rear

1420/1610 KG (3130/3549 LBS)

Max trailer load (12 %) braked/unbraked

2950/750 KG (6503/1653 LBS)

Max roofload/max towbar download

100/140 KG (220/308 LBS)

Luggage comp capacity

550–1525 liter (19.4-53.8 Cu. Ft.)


Drivetrain

At the heart of the X6 M lies the 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8. Updated for 2015, this V-8 boasts an output of 567 horsepower between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm and 553 pound-feet of torque between an amazing 2,200 and 5,000 rpm. Much of this power can be attributed to the twin-turbos integrated with cross-bank exhaust manifolds. In other words, the V-8 uses a hot-V design with the turbos sitting in between the heads while the intake ports are outboard, perched where the exhaust ports normally live. This greatly reduces turbo lag as well as makes the entire engine unit a more compact design.

Other technologies include BMW’s VALVETRONIC, or variable valve timing and direct fuel injection. These help increase the engine’s overall performance while giving it better fuel economy ratings. BMW estimates the X6 M will drop its C02 emissions and fuel consumption by more than 20 percent.

Mated to the V-8 is an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. The eight-speed unit also helps achieve better efficiency at highway driving as well as performance at the track. Zero to 60 mph comes in just four seconds, making it faster than every 2015 M model except the M3 and M4 with the auto transmission, while its top speed is governed at 155 mph.

Getting that power to the ground is BMW’s Dynamic Performance Control that continuously distributes torque between the rear wheels. The system works in conjunction with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system to distribute torque between the front and rear axle.

Drivetrain/Specifications

Engine Config/No of cyls/valves

V/8/4

Engine technology

BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology with variable inlet geometry, TwinScroll biturbo charging, High Precision Petrol Direct Injection, VALVETRONIC

Capacity, effective cm³

4395

Stroke/bore mm

88.3/89.0

Compression ratio :1

10.0

Fuel grade

RON 95–98

Max output

567 HP @ 6,000–6,500 RPM

Torque

553 LB-FT @ 2,200–5,000 RPM

Power-to-weight ratio (DIN) kg/kW

5.4

Output per liter kW/ltr

96.2

Acceleration 0–60 mph)

4 seconds

0–1000 m

22.6 seconds

Top speed

250 km/h (280 km/h with optional M Driver’s Package) (155 mph; 173 mph)


Suspension And Brakes

The X6 M’s suspension system is nearly as complex as it drivetrain. The heavy SUV needs some sophisticated underpinnings to make it handle like an M3 sedan. A 10-mm (0.39-inch) drop in ride height brings the center of gravity down while firmer shocks keep body roll to a minimum. Revised upper control arms with optimized camber progression and steering pivot axis helps turn-in and corning abilities. More ridged bearings help decrease slack between parts. Active Roll Stabilization also has a major hand in keeping things turning around the bend. Out back, an air suspension setup keeps things level and provides a smooth ride when not on the track.

The driver has the ability to change the vehicles Dynamic Damper Control settings between COMFORT, SPORT, and SPORT+, making the X6 M capable of track days and work days.

Suspension, front

Double-joint spring strut axle with M-specific elastokinematics,

small, negative steering roll radius, anti-dive

Suspension, rear

Integral-IV rear axle with M-specific elastokinematics, spatially-acting suspension with anti-squat and anti-dive, air suspension with automatic self-leveling

Brakes, front

Six-piston fixed-caliper disc brakes, vented

Brakes, rear

Single-piston floating-caliper disc brakes, vented

Driving stability systems

Standard: DSC incl. ABS and M Dynamic Mode, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Electronic Differential Lock ADB-X, Dry Braking function, Fading Compensation, Start-Off Assistant; DSC cross-linked with xDrive all-wheel drive, Dynamic Performance Control, Hill Descent Control (HDC), Adaptive Drive

Safety equipment

Standard: airbags for driver and front passenger, side airbags for driver and front passenger, head airbags for front and rear seats, crash-activated head restraints at the front, three-point inertia-reel seatbelts on all seats with belt stopper, belt latch tensioner and belt force limiter at the front, crash sensors, rollover sensors, tire defect indicator

Steering

Electric Power Steering (EPS) with M-specific Servotronic function


Prices

Of course all this technology and high levels of luxury doesn’t come cheap. The 2015 X6 M has a starting price of $103,050. That includes the $950 destination and handling fee. Expect to see the X6 M in dealer showrooms by the spring of 2015.

Competitors

2015 Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne has undergone some major changes for 2015, including a heavily revised exterior, a classier, better looking interior, and several updates to engine performance and output. Now in place of the Hybrid is the S E-Hybrid that shares its parts with the Panamera S E-Hybrid. The Cayenne S has dropped the V-8 in favor of a more powerful twin-turbo V-6. The Cayenne Turbo now benefits from a revised twin-turbo V-8 that kicks out 520 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque.

Pricing for the Cayenne is still high, starting at a relatively low $61,700 for the Diesel and rocketing up to $113,600 for the Turbo.

2015 Mercedes ML63 AMG

Also new for 2015 is the Mercedes-Benz->ke187 ML-Class->ke2901 of SUV. If the German automaker decided to bring back the AMG model (fingers crossed they do!), the sport version of this family hauler will prove to be stiff competition for the BMW X6 M. The rivalry between the two automakers has always been undeniably fun to observe and 2015 should prove to be no different.

There’s no solid word on what might power an AMG ML Class, but last year’s had a twin-turbo, 5.5-liter V-8 under the hood that was good for 518 horsepower and did the 0-to-60-mph run in a scant 4.7 seconds.

Starting price for a 2014 ML63 AMG is $97,250 and that won’t likely increase much with the new model year.

History

The BMW X6 first saw production in 2008. Even then, many didn't know what to make of the new Sports Activity Vehicle pitched between a SUV and sports sedan. The exterior design surely caught some eyes, but its performance was undeniable -- especially with the M version starting in 2009.

The X6's body has gone relatively unchanged since its introduction, while powertrain options have expanded. Several versions of gasoline engines have been offered, along with a couple of diesel options for the world market.

The X6 has seen its sales slump after its initial launch, but BMW hopes this second generation update will spur sales in an upward direction.

Conclusion

The overall changes for 2015 make the BMW X6 M a more competitive vehicle in both on-track and off-track driving situations. The engine’s new-found power output helps move the heavy SUV with more purpose than before. The interior updates are also very welcomed, with added amenities and comfort features. The updated exterior looks make the 2015 X6 M more desirable than in years past. With all that leaning in its favor, the X6 M might see a growth in its sales number coming soon.