What if it’s a mid-size luxury SUV or, to use BMW’s term, a sports car?You can still take it to the track if you buy the incredibly fast X5 M Competition. Or just drive down the highway. That’s right, this high-performance SUV is worthy of the road and track. And with a big powertrain to boot, the Bimmer is super fast: from 0 to 60 in 3. 7 seconds with a top speed of 155 or 177 mph with the M Driver package.
A new 4. 4-liter twin-force turbocharged V8 engine produces 617 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 553 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm. It is assisted by a 48-volt battery placed in the transmission case. Essentially, the 12-horsepower motor, the 147-pound-foot electric motor acts as a starter generator. The X5 is mated to a popular and impeccable eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is even more fun with transfers via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The popular Adaptive M suspension is specially tuned to offer agility and balance when you step on the pedal. The Active M differential distributes torque slightly across the rear axle for greater control and stability. You can customize the engine, transmission, guide, suspension, brakes, and M xDrive settings. to suit your tastes, style, and preferences. And the M Servotronic electric force guide with variable clearance provides a solid, communicative feel, keeping the SUV upright and alert in tight corners and corners.
Slim LED headlights frame the familiar dual-kidney grille with the BMW M emblem and a matte black frame. The 4-inch diameter black chrome dual exhaust tips stand out with the red brake caliper wheels. As soon as we entered the airy, well-equipped cabin, our eyes fell on BMW’s huge curved screen (12. 3-inch virtual tool screen and 14. 9-inch infotainment touchscreen). Touches of carbon fiber trim added more ambiance. Red accents on the M buttons on the forged leather steering wheel and gear selector are eye-catching, as is the soft ambient bar on the dashboard. Other niceties include multi-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled merino leather power front seats with the M logo on the backrests, a panoramic sunroof, a front-facing demonstration, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Standard protection features include dual front and side airbags, front and side knee curtain airbags, dynamic stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, electronic brake distribution, rearview camera, front/rear parking distance control, active hand brake (lane departure), Blind Spot Monitoring/Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, City Collision Mitigation), Forward Collision Warning, Daytime Running Lights, and Tire Pressure Monitor.
Weighing in at just 5,500 pounds, the BMW X M Competition represents the most productive of German engineering and the fastest. And every once in a while, if you can, turn on the track mode (road and game are also offered) and grab the fast device for a brave ride.