It’s no secret that consumers are flocking to the high-performance SUV segment, gobbling up any and all tall-riding, corner-carving, hard-accelerating ‘ute along the way. BMW is well-versed in this space, and now the Bavarians are taking advantage with the new 2020 X3 M and X4 M. Sporting turbocharged six-cylinders, tons of rubber, and just about every physics-defying tech-trick in the book, these machines looks poised to bring some serious heat to the segment.
Extra Sport With Your Utility
The first thing to grab us about the 2020 BMW X3 M and X4 M is the new styling, with deeper intakes and sharper lines, especially for the front fascia. Up here we also find a glossy black grille insert, while the flanks carry new sideview mirror caps, flared-out side skirts, and unique plus-sized wheels made from lightweight alloy.
To add even more visual aggression to the fascia, there are “angry eyebrows” for the headlight housings, while unique spoilers and quad exhaust tips take up residency in the rear. LED lighting is standard.
Inside, look for a digital gauge cluster, plus carbon fiber bits and a M steering wheel with contrast stitching across the upholstery.
However, the most important bit is what’s lying behind the kidney grille. Pop the hood and you’ll find “the most powerful straight-six petrol engine to ever see action in a BMW M car.” It’s called the S58, and it’s a twin-turbo unit based on the B58 making 473 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque from 3.0 liters of displacement. Making the cog swaps is an eight-speed automatic transmission, which links up with a standard xDrive all-wheel drive to make all the grip, with a rear-wheel torque bias for better on-power rotation.
Properly motivated, the 2020 BMW X3 M and X4 M will sprint to 60 mph in just over 4 seconds. Top speed is limited at 155 mph.
Keeping it all shiny side up will be an adaptive M suspension system, while a set of big brakes will shed the speed. And for bonus style points, don’t forget the blue brake caliper finish.
It look as though BMW will also offer an M Competition model making 503 ponies and 443 pound-feet of torque - a figure that looks surprisingly similar to that of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S. An Active M Sport differential divides it accordingly. The M Competition also comes with dark trim bits for the exterior, a new sport exhaust system, 21-inch wheels, and M Sport seating. Top speed gets a bump to 177 mph, while the sprint to 60 mph is reduced by a tenth or so.
When it officially arrives in dealers, the 2020 BMW X3 M and X4 M will head up against the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 (turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, 469 horsepower), Jaguar F-Pace SVR (supercharged 5.0-liter V-8, 550 horspeower), and Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio (turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6, 505 horsepower).
Official pricing is not out yet, but we expect an MSRP just over $70,000. Production kicks off this April.
2020 BMW X3 M And X4 M Leaked Just Ahead Of Offical Debut!
Just as BMW was gearing up for the release of the 2020 X3 M and X4 M, someone spoiled the ending by leaking a bunch of advertisement pictures ahead of schedule. Not only did the leak provide us with a look at the performance SUVs in their full, un-camouflaged glory, but they also brought confirmation on specs for performance and equipment, all of which arrived mere hours ahead of an official reveal from the Bavarians.
Luckily, we have the real deal now!
Further Reading
Read our full review on the 2019 BMW X4.
Read our full review on the 2018 BMW X3.
Read our full review on the 2019 BMW X3 M.