2013 BMW X6 M Test Drive

On Sale Date: Now

Price: $92,900

Competitors: Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Land Rover Range Rover

Powertrains: 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8, 555 hp, 500 lb-ft; 6-speed auto

EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 12/17

What's New: BMW holds to the X6 M's bold bruiser roots, with little meddling beneath the skin of this high-performance crossover SUV. For 2013, the X6 M receives an imposing "power dome" hood, reshaped kidney grilles, a squintier set of headlights, and reworked taillamps. Also new for 2013 is BMW's Active Sound Design, which pipes engine noise through the stereo's speakers to enhance the aural experience of driving this big sport ute (though plenty of gearheads consider this new trend to be cheating).

Tech Tidbit: The X6 M's electronic rear differential was the first of its kind in any BMW M car when it went into the X5 M. The differential diverts torque to the wheel that needs it the most, helping to give this hefty SUV graceful handling despite its oversize footprint.

Driving Character: By the mean, high-waisted looks of it, you'd suspect the BMW X6 M exists solely to intimidate lesser vehicles?but that's only half the story. The X6 M is a fire-breathing misfit that, despite its curb heft of 5324 pounds, can launch to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. One BMW executive describes it as "a high water mark for engineering defying physics," and we don't disagree. The X6 M attacks windy public roads with ease. Its active electronic differential deserves much of the credit for effectively and efficiently dispatching 500 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels, lessening the driver's burden of carefully managing the considerable weight transfer of the X6 M's cornering forces. An automatically decoupling roll bar also enhances ride quality at lower speeds, while the newly incorporated Active Sound Design feature heightens the perception of speed by artificially enhancing the exhaust note. All of this makes for a fleet 4x4 that can't quite compete against BMW's other M cars for outright agility but otherwise makes a surprisingly entertaining case for itself.

Favorite Detail: The drama-free way this 2-1/2-ton SUV launches off the line is nearly worth the high price of admission?the electronic differential keeps tire spin to nearly nil, maximizing forward motion with a satisfying whoosh.

Driver's Grievance: The X6 M's commendable handling would be even more impressive if its center of gravity were lower. And unlike alternatives like Land Rover's Range Rover, the Bimmer has virtually no off-road capabilities to speak of, despite its elevated stance.

The Bottom Line: We've come a long way since the days when BMW fanboys were outraged that the M moniker was affixed to sport utilities. Now that this unlikely offering is proving a viable option against pricier alternatives like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo (which, incidentally, barely edged out the X6 M last year?the Porsche sold 12 more units in the U.S.). So BMW can savor an "I told you so" attitude against the doubters.

Is this X6 M as pure an expression of M-power as universally lauded cars like the M3? With its nondual-clutch gearbox and considerable heft, the answer is a definitive No. But for swift, civilized transport with an unconventional silhouette, the X6 M goes a long way toward satisfying a question that few, if any, have asked.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/reviews/drives/2013-bmw-x6-m-test-drive-12141814?src=rss

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