BMW X5 M Competition launched in India for Rs 1.94 crore

Following the success of high-performance SUVs in India, BMW has now joined that club with the BMW X5 M Competition. The third generation of the SUV is now available for sale in India as a CBU unit for Rs 1.94 crore, ex-showroom. Let’s quickly take a look at what’s new from the stables of BMW’s performance-focused M division.

Engine and Chassis:

The latest-generation twin-turbo V8 engine in the X5 M Competition makes an impressive 616bhp at 6000rpm and 750Nm of torque between 1800 and 5600 rpm. The BMW X5 M Competition will take you from a standstill to 100kmph in just 3.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of an electronically limited 250kmph. It also gets a racetrack-proven engine cooling system which is capable of keeping the powertrain cool when it is being driven hard around a track.

The twin-turbo V8 is paired to an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive layout. It offers three driving modes: Track, Sport and Road. Although it doesn’t have the option of switching entirely to RWD, a more rear-biased mode is still able to be selected within the variable M Driver modes. Alongside the multi-clutch centre differential, M division has also fitted an active locking rear differential, which maximises torque being put down to the road.

The X5 M Competition is equipped with adaptive suspension for comfort during long drives with electronically controlled dampers and active roll stabilization system. It also has M-compound brakes with brake by wire much like on the M8 with two settings for brake pedal feel: comfort and sport.

Tech:

To make the car safe and drivable with the powerful V8 engine, the X5 M Competition is packing plenty of tech. It comes equipped with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) which distributes brake force while braking under fast cornering and radar based driver assistance system to warn against pedestrian collision. It also gets Adaptive LED headlights, Parking and reversing assistance. There is also an optional ‘BMW Laserlight’ which has a selective beam and no dazzling high beam function with a range of around 500 meters. Additionally, if you opt for the Driving Assistant Professional package, you get more radar based driving assistance like Steering and lane control with active side collision protection, lane change assistance, emergency Stop and Crossroads, Wrong-way and Cross Traffic Alert systems.

Interiors and Exteriors:

At first glance, the new bumper with the larger air intakes and the blacked-out kidney grille gives the impression that the BMW X5 M Competition means business. It even has a roof spoiler for better aerodynamics. The X5 M Competition gets 21-inch M-light alloy wheels at the front and the rear gets 22-inch ‘star-spoke style 809 M Bi-color’ wheels. The X5 M Competition is available in metallic colors – Carbon Black, Black Sapphire, Mineral White, Marina Bay Blue, Donnington Grey, Manhattan Green and Tornado Red. Optionally, BMW Individual colors are available in Tanzanite Blue and Ametrine.

On the inside, like all M cars, the X5 M competition gets sporty touches. It has a 12.3-inch touch screen infotainment system with voice and gesture controls. It gets a fully digital instrument cluster with navigation, and a Harman Kardon surround sound system as standard. You can further enhance your interiors by opting for a panoramic sunroof, two entertainment screens in the rear and Bowers and Wilkins Diamond surround sound system. The interiors also get quilted leather seats as standard. As an optional extra, you get the black, quilted leather interiors in a choice of Silverstone, Sakhir Orange/Black, Adelaide Grey, Taruma Brown, Black or Ivory White/Night Blue with color matched Alcantara headliner.

So the BMW X5 M Competition has a monstrous engine, plenty of tech, sporty interiors and is clothed to be as striking as an M Competition car should be. The performance SUV market is still the most action packed segment in India today and the X5 M competition is a strong new addition to it. All that remains to see is how it will go up against the other popular sporty SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne Turbo and the Audi RS Q8.