The BMW X6 M arrived for the 2010 model year as one of the first M model to have xDrive all-wheel-drive and an automatic transmission. The second one was the X5 M. Unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show,->ke226 the X6 received the company's 4.4-liter, V-8 engine tuned to deliver 547 horsepower and 501 pound-feet of torque, and needed 4.5 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standing start. It took BMW->ke178 four years to update the X6 M, but when it did in 2014, it made the SUV faster than every 2015 M model except the M3->ke2366 and M4->ke4183 with the automatic transmission. Now that it's ready to hit U.S. showrooms, the 567-horsepower beast is set to receive its fair share of Individual treatment inside and out.

As with most Individual options, the bespoke package will come in many shapes and sizes, but the first example showcases an Azurite Black metallic exterior finish and an interior dipped in Smoke White leather and Alcantara. Read on for the full details on BMW's Individual program for the high-performance X6 M crossover.->ke288

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

2015 BMW X6 M Individual

Specifications

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

Pros

Cons

Exterior

As usual, BMW's Individual exterior options aren't about body kits and enhanced aerodynamics, but about unique colors. For the brand-new X6 M, the Germans are offering an Azurite Black metallic finish. Inspired by azurite crystals, a soft, deep blue copper mineral produced by weathering of copper ore deposits, the paint sparkles in different shades of blue depending on the light.

The shades dressing the crossover can vary between the darkest and deepest blue to lighter hues that nearly match the Long Beach Blue Metallic available on the standard X6 M. At some point, various parts of the body boast the same shade of blue as the massive brake calipers. Granted, the Azurite Black finish gives the X6 M extraordinary elegance, while providing it with a chameleon-like look.

Interior

The interior of this X6 M might not seem different to the untrained eye, but a closer inspection reveals features that aren't available on the regular crossover. Most of the cabin is wrapped in Smoke White, fine-grain Merino leather, including the seats, the door panels, the lower dashboard and the center console. The X6 M received a matching roofliner dressed in Smoke White Alcantara for an overall sophisticated appearance.

Making sure the cabin isn't too flashy, the Germans kept some of the surfaces black. The upper dashboard, the instrument panel and the upper door panels are all finished in black leather. A highly polished piano-black trim, obtained through a special buffing process, rounds off the dashboard.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is one department the Individual package leaves unaltered. But fret not, the refresh this crossover received for the 2015 model year pumped an extra 20 horsepower and 52 pound-feet of torque into the turbocharged 4.4-liter, V-8 engine for a total output of 567 ponies and 553 pound-feet.

The figure is quite astonishing for an SUV and enables the X6 M to sprint from naught to 60 mph in just four seconds, making it faster than every 2015 M model except the M3 and M4 with the auto transmission. Top speed is governed at 155 mph, but the optional M Driver's Package increases it to 173 mph.

Drivetrain Specifications

Prices

There's no specific pricing information for this Azurite Black crossover, but expect the bespoke exterior color and the full leather interior to add more than $5,000 to the X6 M's $102,100 sticker.

Competition

Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Although the X6 M still competes in a segment of its own as of December 2014, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo represents an enticing option as far as performance and luxury features go. Facelifted for the 2015 model year, the second-gen Cayenne boasts more aggressive exterior styling and an updated interior that sports a 918 Spyder-inspired steering wheel, revised technology and improved seating.

Under the hood of the Cayenne Turbo lurks the same 4.8-liter V-8, but the turbocharged mill now cranks out 520 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, which accounts for gains of 20 horsepower and 37 pound-feet of twist when compared to the previous model. The oomph enables the SUV to charge from naught to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and up to a top speed of 173 mph.

While the Turbo is a tad slower than the X6 M, the Turbo S is likely to outgun its German rival. We say "likely" because Porsche has yet to unveil the range-topping version of the Cayenne lineup. However, considering the output updates added across the range, we expect the Turbo S to crank out around 570 ponies and run the 0-to-60 sprint in less than four seconds. The base Turbo model retails from $113,600 on these shores.

Mercedes-Benz GLE63 AMG Coupe

Having just unveiled the GLE Coupe -- the first direct competitor for the X6 -- Mercedes-Benz is currently working on the beefed up GLE63 AMG version. Developed to give the X6 M a run for its money, the yet unconfirmed GLE63 AMG will most likely get its juice from AMG's all-new, 4.0-liter, V-8 powerplant. We expect the bi-turbo mill to churn in excess of 500 horsepower and mate to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission for lightning-fast shifting and acceleration.

Naturally, the coupe-like crossover will receive aggressive exterior styling, an interior that will set it apart from the regular GLE Coupe, as well as bespoke chassis tuning. Pricing should start from around $100,000 once it arrives in the United States for the 2016 model year.

Conclusion

While it might not be the most beautiful crossover out there, the X6 M is arguably the most powerful factory SUV the market has to offer nowadays. Granted, the X6 M's appeal lies underneath its body shell, where a vicious V-8 and race-bred chassis components turn the regular crossover into a track-ready machine. The luxurious interior and the sporty exterior -- to those who find it alluring, of course -- come as a bonus. The Individual program takes all of the above and wraps it in a bespoke exterior with a unique color combination on the inside. That's what makes customization programs special and BMW's Individual is fairly good at it.