Years ago if you asked BMW what made an M product unique, it was a simple answer:
- Standard manual gearbox
- Rear-wheel drive
- Naturally aspirated engines
Now things have been muddied up quite a bit. A glimpse of change coming with the future was the launch of the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) in the E46 M3. With the launch of the X5/6M, all-wheel drive was injected into the picture, as were sport-utility vehicles. Now we're seeing what I think is safe to say the most peculiar M badging on the planet.
M has gone diesel.
Equipped with a tri-turbo, six-cylinder diesel motor, the 5-Series sedan, touring, X5 and X6 are all receiving a new M variant. If you were expecting this new 381 horsepower 546 lb.-ft. of torque monsters to arrive on your U.S. doorstep, think again. The U.S. market will not see these puppies, at least any time soon.
However the last time I cried "Shame," on BMW I wound up eating crow. In addition, the X6M was my favorite M product, ever. That said, I am refraining from making a statement, but the more I think about it these vehicles have the potential to be the greatest M products ever made.
Now with an element of efficiency, plenty of power on tap and a six-cylinder in the engine bay, there could be some VERY interesting results when these cars are given a proper shakedown...
BMW's press release follows:The BMW M Performance Automobiles.
The BMW M Performance vehicles described in the attached press release are not planned for the US market. The press release is posted for informational purposes only.
At a glance
- New BMW M GmbH product range based on current BMW models; BMW M Performance Automobiles complement the model family with their clear focus on sports performance combined with unrestricted everyday usability and outstanding efficiency; new product category launches with four models: BMW M550d xDrive Sedan,
BMW M550d xDrive Touring, BMW X5 M50d and BMW X6 M50d. - Rigorous use of BMW M GmbH development expertise in the optimisation of agility, precision and emotion; BMW M Performance Automobiles with harmonious interplay of powertrain, chassis technology and design features typical of M models; exclusive, extremely powerful engine; detailed modifications to chassis technology and power transfer; aerodynamically optimised body.
- World premiere for a new six-cylinder in-line diesel engine developed exclusively for the BMW M Performance Automobiles; new, globally unique
M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology: three turbochargers, common-rail direct injection with piezo injectors and maximum injection pressure of 2,200 bar; 3.0-litre displacement, 280 kW/381 hp, maximum torque: 740 Newton metres (546 lb-ft); instantaneous responses and outstandingly dynamic power delivery into the upper reaches of the rev range; maximum revs: 5,400 rpm; impressively economical thanks to optimised efficiency and extensive BMW EfficientDynamics technology, including Auto Start-Stop function and ECO PRO mode. - Eight-speed Sports automatic transmission with enhanced gearshift dynamics fitted as standard on all BMW M Performance Automobiles;
BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive with bespoke set-up optimised to enhance dynamics; BMW M550d xDrive and BMW X5 M50d with Performance Control, BMW X6 M50d with Dynamic Performance Control. - M-specific tuning of suspension, bodyshell mounting, engine and transmission mounting, springs and dampers, all standard and optional chassis control systems, and the Servotronic mapping for the hydraulic steering; result is significantly enhanced agility and precision in dynamic driving situations, with the linear build-up of lateral forces familiar from M cars.
- BMW M550d xDrive comes as standard with the Driving Experience Control switch, including ECO PRO mode;
BMW M550d xDrive Touring also features air suspension on the rear axle and automatic self-levelling; both models available as an option with Dynamic Damper Control and Adaptive Drive including anti-roll control. - BMW X5 M50d and BMW X6 M50d fitted as standard with air suspension on the rear axle and self-levelling, Adaptive Drive standard on the BMW X6 M50d and available as an option for the
BMW X5 M50d. - Purposeful design modifications in familiar M style set individual models apart and provide aerodynamic optimisation; exterior mirrors and air intake bars with striking Ferric Grey metallic paintwork; trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes; BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line; 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design standard on the BMW M550d xDrive and BMW M550d xDrive Touring; 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design standard on the
BMW X5 M50d; 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design standard on the BMW X6 M50d; exclusive 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in Ferric Grey available as an option for all models; model lettering on the door sills, boot lid and, in the case of the
BMW X5 M50d and BMW X6 M50d, also in the instrument cluster; engine cover with “M Performance” badge. - Bespoke interior design shows clear emphasis on the cars’ sporting character; gearshift lever with M logo; exclusive Alcantara/Nappa leather M sports seats in Black (BMW X5 M50d, BMW X6 M50d) or Alcantara/Cloth in Grey Shadow (BMW M550d xDrive) with contrast stitching and embossed M logo; M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles; BMW Individual roof liner in Anthracite; interior trim strips in Brushed Aluminium Shadow (BMW X5 M50d,
BMW X6 M50d) or Aluminium Hexagon (BMW M550d xDrive); interior sound design adds further emphasis to the characteristic six-cylinder soundtrack. - All BMW M Performance Automobiles contain a wide range of comfort-enhancing equipment as standard; extensive individualisation possible thanks to virtually full availability of BMW 5 Series, BMW X5 and BMW X6 options; includes Comfort Access, automatic tailgate operation (standard in Germany on the BMW X6 M50d and BMW M550d xDrive Touring), hands-free tailgate opening (BMW M550d xDrive, BMW M550d xDrive Touring), electrically operated glass/panoramic sunroof, doors with Soft Close Automatic function, trailer coupling, heated steering wheel, active seats, Adaptive LED Headlights (BMW X6 M50d), navigation systems with hard disk storage, high-quality audio and rear-seat entertainment systems.
- Wide range of driver assistance systems and mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive unmatched by any rival: Head-Up Display, Adaptive Headlights, High-Beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition (BMW M550d xDrive), Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Lane Change Warning System (BMW M550d xDrive), Lane Departure Warning System (BMW M550d xDrive), rear-view camera with Top View (BMW X5 M50d, BMW X6 M50d), Surround View (BMW 550d xDrive), Speed Limit Info, internet access, extended integration of smartphones and music players, Real-Time Traffic Information and apps for receiving web radio and using Facebook and Twitter.
- Engine: Six-cylinder in-line diesel engine with M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology, aluminium crankcase, three turbochargers (high-pressure, with variable turbine geometry), common-rail direct injection with piezo injectors, maximum injection pressure: 2,200 bar.
Displacement: 2,993 cc, output: 280 kW/381 hp at 4,000 – 4,400 rpm, max. torque: 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) at 2,000 – 3 000 rpm, specific output: 93.6 kW/127.3 hp per litre of displacement. - BMW M Performance models: performance figures, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions:
BMW M550d xDrive Sedan:
Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 4.7 seconds,
top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph),
average fuel consumption: 6.3 litres/100 kilometres (44.8 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions: 165 g/km, exhaust standard: EU6.
BMW M550d xDrive Touring:
Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 4.9 seconds,
top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph),
average fuel consumption: 6.4 litres/100 kilometres (44.1 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions: 169 g/km, exhaust standard: EU6.
BMW X5 M50d:
Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 5.4 seconds,
top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph),
average fuel consumption: 7.5 litres/100 kilometres (37.7 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions: 199 g/km, exhaust standard: EU5.
BMW X6 M50d:
Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 5.3 seconds,
top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph),
average fuel consumption: 7.7 litres/100 kilometres (36.7 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions: 204 g/km, exhaust standard: EU5.
