Motoring BMW V8 SUVs all revved up

l CAIRNS

| Nick Dalton

A PAIR of high-performance luxury BMW SUVs duo are on their way to Australia and Cairns.

BMW’s updated potent X5 and X6 M Competition performance SUVs have some serious grunt and price tags.

The range-topping SUVs bring a host of upgrades including more standard equipment, revised looks and mild hybrid power, which is a first for an M vehicle.

Customers can expect the first deliveries from July this year.

The X6 has a coupe-style roofline compared to the X5’s conventional SUV shape.

But prices have risen by $14,000 compared to the outgoing model to $241,900 (before on-road costs) for the X5 and $247,900 for the X6.

However, the expensive price tags provide some serious performance.

Under the bonnet is a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine producing 460kW and 750Nm. It is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The 100km/h speed limit comes up from standstill in 3.9 seconds.

The 48-volt mild hybrid tech acts as a starter generator to help lower fuel use and chips in extra grunt for small periods.

Both models come standard with adaptive suspension, which allows users to select driving modes that alter the car’s suspension firmness, exhaust note and steering response among other features.

This allows the vehicle to be more comfortable around town and ferocious when required.

There are 21-inch alloy wheels up front and 22inch at the rear as standard. Sharper looking LED headlights and an all-black grille add to the visual appeal.

A head-up display projects vital information such as travelling and current speed limit onto the windscreen.

At the heart of the design updates for the interior is the curved display, which gives the M-typical cockpit a modern and exclusive feel.

It is formed by a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches, with a single glass surface incorporating both.

The control display’s touchscreen enables digital control of numerous functions, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of buttons and controls.

Other new features include the broad interior trim strip in Fineline Black fine wood with highgloss metal effect, the ambient light bar with effective backlighting and the addition of an M logo to its graphic, plus the M leather steering wheel with its new carbon gearshift paddles.

Also to be found on the standard equipment list are M multifunction seats, knee pads, fine-grain Merino full leather trim and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System.

For more details call Westco BMW in Cairns on 4044 4122.