After revealing the updates for the X5 and X6, BMW has shown off their flagship M Competition variants.
The 2024 BMW X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition’s new twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine has 48V mild-hybrid technology, while the hi-po SUVs receive various interior and exterior upgrades like their less expensive stablemates.
Customer deliveries of the updated performance SUVs are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with the X5 M Competition priced at $241,900 before on-road costs and the X6 M Competition at $247,900 before on-roads.
The mild-hybrid system sees an electric motor integrated into the housing of the new eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, delivering up to 9kW of additional drive power and 200Nm of torque while also functioning as a crankshaft-mounted starter generator.
A 48-volt battery is housed in the engine compartment, and is charged via adaptive recuperation under braking.
BMW also says it has installed new catalytic converters to further help the powerful SUVs’ emissions performance.
There’s a new 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine under the bonnet, though outputs are unchanged from the outgoing engine at 460kW of power at 6000rpm and 750Nm of torque between 1800 and 5800rpm.
BMW says the new eight-speed auto has a sharper shift action, the steering has been retuned and there’s a “newly adapted” version of the rear-biased M xDrive all-wheel drive system.
The latter, in conjunction with the Active M Differential, now works with near-actuator wheel slip limitation.
The company claims a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds for both the X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition. That’s 0.1 seconds slower than the outgoing model.
You can also use the M Setup menu to switch to 4WD Sport mode, allowing you to execute controlled drifts.
Exterior changes include a new front fascia with slimmer matrix LED headlights and a restyled grille, among other changes.
BMW also says the X5 M Competition now features x-shaped fibre-optic light guide elements for its rear lights and brake lights.
Inside, the changes are arguably more pronounced. The M Competition models get the BMW Curved Display, which incorporates a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen in one housing.
The latter runs BMW Operating System 8.
Switchgear has been reduced, with more functions controlled via the screen or using voice prompts, while there’s a new ambient light bar and carbon paddle shifters.
The lane-departure warning has been upgraded with BMW’s lane return with steering assistance, while the forward-collision warning system’s performance has been improved.
Both models also receive additional standard equipment as part of the update, including ventilated front seats with massaging; heating for the rear seats, centre console and front doors; privacy glass; remote start; and BMW Drive Recorder with Remote Theft Recorder.
Pricing
- 2024 BMW X5 M Competition: $241,900
- 2024 BMW X6 M Competition: $247,900
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Drivetrains
The 2024 BMW X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition share a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine producing 460kW of power at 6000rpm and 750Nm of torque between 1800 and 5500rpm.
It’s mated with a 48V mild-hybrid system, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive.
The claimed 0-100km/h time is 3.9 seconds.
Efficiency
BMW hasn’t published fuel economy figures, but the outgoing models used 12.5L/100km on the combined cycle and ran on 98 RON premium unleaded fuel.
Servicing and Warranty
The whole BMW range is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
BMW hasn’t detailed service pricing for the updated M Competition models.
Safety
The X5 wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating with 2018 date stamp, based on tests conducted by Euro NCAP.
However, this rating only covers 3.0-litre petrol and diesel models, with others – like the M Competition – remaining unrated. Likewise, the X6 has no ANCAP rating.
The X5 scored 89 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, 75 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 71 per cent for safety assists.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keep assist
- Surround-view camera
- Parking sensors
Standard Equipment
The following equipment is standard on both the X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition:
- Adaptive M suspension Professional
- Active M differential
- M Sport exhaust system
- 21-inch (front) and 22-inch (rear) M light-alloy wheels
- Privacy glass (NEW)
- Matrix LED headlights
- Merino leather upholstery
- M multifunction seats
- Carbon-fibre interior trim
- 16-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound system
- Parking Assistant Professional (semi-automatic parking assist)
- BMW Digital Key Plus (iOS or Android phone unlocking of the vehicle)
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Power tailgate
- Head-up display
- Heated front seats
- Ventilated front seats (NEW)
- Massaging front seats (NEW)
- Heated centre console armrest and front doors (NEW)
- Heated rear seats (NEW)
- BMW Drive Recorder (NEW)
- Four-zone climate control
Options
The Comfort Package ($2800 on X5, $2100 on X6) adds:
- Acoustic glazing
- Manually operated rear-side window roller sunblind
- Automated slip sliding rail for luggage compartment
- Electric luggage compartment roller cover (X5 only)
The Indulgence Package ($9500) adds:
- Ambient air package
- Skylounge panoramic glass roof
- Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system
Standalone options include
- M Carbon rear spoiler: $2000 (X6 only)
- M high-gloss Shadow Line roof rails: $800 (standard on X5)
- M Carbon engine cover: $2200
- M Carbon mirror caps: $1600
The following wheels are no-cost options:
- 21-inch/22-inch M light Star-spoke style 809 M Bicolour
- 21-inch/22-inch M light Star-spoke style 818 M Bicolour
- 21-inch/22-inch M light Star-spoke style 818 M Jet Black
Colours
Alpine White solid is standard, with the following metallic exterior finishes being no-cost options:
- Mineral White
- M Carbon Black
- Black Sapphire
- M Marina Bay Blue
- Toronto Red
- M Brooklyn Grey (NEW)
- M Isle of Man Green (NEW)
Two BMW Individual finishes are optional: Dravit Grey for $2400, and newly added Frozen Pure Grey for $5000.
Inside, the BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery is available in the following seven colours:
- Black
- Silverstone
- Sakhir Orange
- Adelaide Grey
- Taruma Brown
- Bicolour Black/Midrand Beige
- Bicolour Ivory White/Atlas Grey (NEW, $1500)
The new bicolour white/grey colourway can be had with either the standard Anthracite Alcantara headliner or in optional Ivory White.
MORE: Everything BMW X5
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