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SUVs with racing genes are becoming the rule, not the 'exception. In fact, the growing environmental awareness would make us think that there is less interest in such extreme vehicles, but the new sales record for the BMW M division suggests otherwise , as it increased them 32% in 2019, to 136,000 units, exceeding Mercedes AMG division. A success that, in large part, is due to the biggest product offensive in its 48 years of history , with versions X3, X4, 8 Coupé / Cabrio / Gran Coupé and 2 CS.

Furthermore, within the category, there is a new breed of testosterone injected versions that is infecting more and more customers, especially within the German 'premium' brands and the Italian sports brands, such as Alfa Romeo (Stelvio Quadrifoglio) and Lamborghini (Urus ) And with heavyweights like Aston Martin and Ferrari about to join what is becoming a crowd.

This is the context in which the third generation of the M versions of X5 and X6 is launched, taking advantage of all the evolutions of the base models. In our contact, we chose the X6 M because, if we are radical, then let it be at the wheel of the silhouette whose controversial "hump" received much criticism upon arrival in 2009, but which managed to seduce customers and competition. And because, being shorter, it performs better on the road than the X5 (which offers more space in the second row and more boot space).

Controversial image that impresses

The first visual impact is brutal, although the exterior design cannot be considered beautiful for everything, especially the back. In addition, here we find larger air intakes, kidney grille with double bars, M "gills" on the front side panels, rear roof spoiler or rear apron with diffusers and dual exhaust system.

The Competition version, the only one that BMW has brought to the Arizona desert and that costs 164,500 euros (for the 151,500 of the normal X6 M), has specific design elements, such as the black finish on most of these elements, in addition to the extra detail to use (optionally) carbon fiber on the engine cover, on the exterior mirror covers and on the rear wing.

The signs of the M world are also visible inside. Starting with the head-up display with unique graphics / info, multifunctional seats with reinforced side support and standard Merino leather trim, which can be even more exclusive with superior leather upholstery in these M Competition variants.

From the raised driving position I can easily access the configuration buttons to change the engine response, shock absorbers, steering, M xDrive and braking system. The Mode M button allows the interventions of the driving assistance systems, the instrumentation screens and the readings of the head-up display to be configured individually; there is a choice of Road, Sport and Track driving modes (the latter exclusively in the Competition version). And two individual settings (M1 and M2) can be selected using the red M buttons on either side of the steering wheel.

All-wheel drive and 625 horses

Boasting a more powerful engine than direct rivals Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo or Audi RS Q8, the X6 M Competition uses the revised 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 unit to hit 625 hp, which is sent to all four wheels via a eight-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter, with steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual use. The transmission and rear differential (to vary the torque delivery between the two wheels) have been adjusted to favor propulsion. One of the technical innovations is the braking system without physical connection between the left pedal and the calipers, which presents two programs, Comfort and Sport, the first with a smoother modulation.

Other chassis adjustments include reinforcements on both axles to deal with greater "g" forces and increased track width, all to improve cornering ability and stability, which loses some points for not having a directional rear axle, unlike others versions of the German SUV. "It didn't fit," says chief engineer Rainer Steiger. No wonder: The standard tires are 295/35 ZR21 at the front and 315/30 ZR22 at the rear.

And how is all this "arsenal of war" translated? From the first pressure on the accelerator, it is clear that the 750 Nm available from 1800 rpm (and that is maintained until 5600) do everything possible to camouflage the enormous weight of the car (2.4 tons) and the turbocharger comes into action almost without delay, something that is a registered trademark of BMW M.

Almost excessive soundtrack

In the sportier driving modes everything becomes even more immediate: 3.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h and a top speed of 290 km / h (if you pay more for the "Drivers Package", optional which is worth about 2500 euros along with a one-day sports driving training), which puts him in a class where only a handful of SUVs can access. Everything, accompanied by an impressive soundtrack, which can be deafening, if that is the desire of the driver, since it can intensify it through the most sporty driving modes, although in an artificial way.

Even if all the brutality is used, it is very difficult to feel a lack of grip on the front wheels, because the rear wheels do most of the work and then the permanently variable distribution of torque between the front axle (up to 100%) and the rear makes everything go smoothly. Even more with a valuable help from the electronically controlled self-locking differential, which distributes the force between each of the rear wheels. And if we want to feel even more, and 'wiggle' the rear in a kind of show of canine happiness, preferably on a circuit, it is possible to turn off the stability control and activate the Sport program of the four-wheel drive system, which further favors rear-wheel drive ...

Of course, in the end the laws of physics prevail and that is why the weight of the X6 M is felt, when the masses move violently forward and backward or from one side to the other. The other two dynamic aspects that may deserve some future adjustment are the steering response, always very heavy but not necessarily communicative, and the rigidity of the suspension, because even the Comfort configuration is close to the limit where our back begins to complain after the first few kilometers of an asphalt that is not smooth as a billiard mat. />

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