The BMW X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition are renewed and implement mild-hybrid technology

It was just a few days ago, specifically on the first of the month, when BMW announced the restyle it had applied to both the X5 and the X6. Now it is the turn for most of those changes to see the light of day on the most sporty and passionate variants of both models: the X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition. In addition to the aesthetic and technological changes, we will also find them in their mechanics, which are very interesting, by the way.

Sportier character with greater presence

The changes we already saw on the X5 and X6 suit the X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition versions perfectly. Likewise, these focus mainly on the front end, with a new grille with larger angles and horizontal slats, which is accompanied by the new matrix LED headlights with adaptive regulation and anti-glare high beam BMW Selective Beam, incorporating a new light signature and being 35 mm narrower, which can optionally be replaced by the Shadowline black M headlights.

We are not leaving the front end just yet, since with the new grille together with the lower air intake, a single black “X” -shaped area is formed. The lower intake gains even more presence thanks to the absence of a grille and the addition of side trims that seem to increase its proportions. From the side we can see the new air outlets and the profile of the rear spoiler, which, along with the mirror housings, can optionally be made in carbon fibre. At the rear, the most significant change is in the lights, also with a new “X”-shaped light signature.

Technological interior with clear touches of BMW M

Undoubtedly, what will catch our attention most when we enter the interior of the BMW X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition will be its dashboard, now much more technological because it adopts the curved display of BMW, which consists of a 12.3-inch screen for the instrument cluster and another 14.9-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, obviously equipped with the BMW ID8 operating system and the latest generation of the iDrive system. On top of this, thanks to these screens, many buttons have been removed from the centre console, while the essential ones are gathered next to the gear lever, which is retained instead of being replaced by a button, to the delight of purists.

Technologically, the dashboard with the new curved screen will not be the only new feature we find, since now, for example, the functions of the front collision warning have also been expanded, which comes as standard, reducing the risk of collision with cyclists, pedestrians and oncoming traffic. Added to this, the unintentional lane departure warning function is now more effective, as it has been improved with lane return with steering assistance.

In terms of design, both the BMW X5 M Competition and the X6 M Competition continue to include as standard the M multifunction sports seats with fine-grain Merino leather upholstery, as well as the knee rests for an extra point of comfortable support in corners. On the dashboard, a Fineline Black noble wood trim with a high-gloss metallic effect is now applied, accompanied by an ambient light bar with backlighting and the addition of an M logo in its graphic. Added to this is the M sports steering wheel upholstered in leather, which features shift paddles, now even more attractive as they are made of carbon fibre.

High performance with the adoption of mild-hybrid technology

Mechanically, both models continue to retain the monstrous M TwinPower Turbo V8 4.4-litre engine, which delivers a power output of 625 CV and a torque of 750 Nm, coupled to the eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic. The great novelty lies precisely in this gearbox, since integrated into its casing there is now an electric motor that provides an additional 12 CV and 200 Nm of torque, in addition to acting as a starter generator, all thanks to the additional 48 V battery mounted in the engine bay, which is charged through high-efficiency adaptive recuperation during braking and overtaking.

We have not neglected the M Steptronic automatic gearbox either, as it now features a new configuration together with a more precise gear change, as well as offering three shift settings in both automatic and manual modes. This gearbox is combined with the M active differential on the rear axle which, through the M configuration menu, will make the X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition two very fun SUVs, allowing the setting to be changed from 4WD to 4WD Sport, which allows controlled drifts by dividing the power between both axles with a clear bias towards the rear.

To make all this power easier to control, and in addition to offering a high level of ride comfort, they come as standard with the M Professional adaptive suspension with electronically controlled dampers and active roll stabilisation, to which we must add the M Servotronic steering that allows for a more sporty drive. Braking is handled by the M composite brakes, working together with the latest-generation integrated braking system, which features a specific M configuration, giving the driver two settings for the feel of the brake pedal.

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

Off-RoadBMW X55 versions · from 96,150 €

CrossoverBMW X64 versions · from 103,400 €