The BMW X6 is the company’s top-line crossover, what they call a “sports activity coupe” because of the fastback styling that makes the X6 unique among its competitors. But what happens when the company turns the car over to its M performance division?
The answer is the 2015 BMW X6 M, with a twin-turbocharged V-8 pumping out 567 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque and a host of electronic aids designed to convert the tall vehicle into a track-ready supercar.
In this performance review, Roman Mica takes the X6 M to IMI Motorsports Park in Dacono, Colo. to find out if it earned its M badges by putting it through a 0-60 test and a hot lap around the track.
The X6’s launch control system is difficult to engage, requiring a read of the owner’s manual and a few attempts to get it to work. Once engaged, though, the car rewards the driver with near-perfect launches and enough power to try to reach BMW’s claim of zero to 60 mph in four seconds flat.
At $109,950 as tested, the X6 M isn’t cheap, but it’s a vehicle that offers power numbers that wouldn’t be out of place in a gull-winged supercar and track-ready chassis and suspension. For all its performance potential, the X6 M is also a luxurious grand tourer, and with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, it can handle rough weather and can even go off-road.
Fuel economy numbers of 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway may be low for a crossover, but are very good for a car with this much power under the hood.
Check out the full performance test of the 2015 BMW X6 M here:
