BMW announces M pricing for X5 and X6

Back in July news emerged that BMW Australia would be raising eyebrows with range topping M versions of the X5 and X6. Now, we can tell you that you will need to pony up $172,900 and $179,900 respectively to be all the rage at your local polo field.

Personally, I can understand the X5 M, kind of. However, I am one of those who will always struggle to get the X6. More power to BMW, though, because it does appear there are plenty of customers out there that do want the X6.

A point Stavros Yallouridis, head of BMW Group Australia, is keen to make, “Many X6 customers are entrepreneurs or self employed professionals with one or no kids, and new to the BMW brand. They told us that traditional SUV styling was boring and normal coupes offered less versatility than the X6.

“Now with the arrival of the X6 M, we’re able to offer an M version which will tempt performance-oriented buyers considering an ML 63 AMG or Cayenne Turbo with benefits such as faster acceleration, less weight and better fuel consumption.

“If on the other hand maximum practicality is a must, the X5 M arriving in January will be the perfect alternative,” he says.

Well, I suppose Stavros knows what he is talking about. Interesting, too, that BMW have gone to some lengths to make the comparison to similar offerings from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. In case you were wondering, the BMWs win the pub battle of who is fastest in a hypothetical drag race.

In truth, the heart of gold that gives life to these non-traditional M models is pretty hard to argue with. A rather tasty 408kW 4.4 litre V8, that can propel 2305kg from rest to 100km/h in under five seconds, sees to that.

Barnstorming M Models Get Set for Australian Debut

Local pricing and equipment details for BMW’s barnstorming X6 M, which arrives in Australian showrooms this December, were announced today.

The X6 M will be priced from $179,900. It joins the X6 Sports Activity Coupé range which has, thanks to 734 customer deliveries in its first year, exceeded BMW sales forecasts and become a niche sales hit.

“The X6 delivered exactly what a select group of Australian luxury buyers were crying out for,” says Stavros Yallouridis, the Australian head of BMW Group Australia.

“Their first priority was a car with coupe design, agility and performance, street credibility and uniqueness. In addition, they appreciated the versatility offered by a sports activity vehicle.

“Many X6 customers are entrepreneurs or self employed professionals with one or no kids, and new to the BMW brand. They told us that traditional SUV styling was boring and normal coupes offered less versatility than the X6.

“Now with the arrival of the X6 M, we’re able to offer an M version which will tempt performance-oriented buyers considering an ML 63 AMG or Cayenne Turbo with benefits such as faster acceleration, less weight and better fuel consumption.

“If on the other hand maximum practicality is a must, the X5 M arriving in January will be the perfect alternative,” he says.

The X5 M will be priced from $172,900.

• X5 M & X6 M – Standard equipment (36kb PDF)