Are you out there for a high-performance SUV with a quick roofline? Is the 600-horsepower BMW X6 M not fairly sufficient? Well, don’t fret, BMW has simply the factor: the 2020 BMW X6 M Competition, which presents a contact extra energy, tighter chassis tuning and slightly extra type, too.

LikeBig efficiency chopsStylish with respectable practicalityCushy inside

Don’t LikeUncommunicative steeringCan be overly complexLarge blind spots

A mightier X6 MLike its squared-off X5 M Competition sibling, the X6 M Competition packs substantial firepower beneath its hood. BMW’s acquainted 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 is right here, packing 617 horsepower. Torque matches that of the non-Competition mannequin, checking in at 553 pound-feet accessible between 1,800 and 5,690 rpm.Flick the engine into its Sport or Sport Plus setting and efficiency is ample, with zero quibbles about increase lag. Drop the hammer and the X6 M Competition romps to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, which is one-tenth of a second faster than the common X6 M. Triple-digit speeds occur in a rush, and can finally prime out at 177 mph with accessible M Driver’s Package, the two-mode energetic exhaust system placing out a grumble all of the whereas. Without the Driver’s Package, issues cease pulling at simply 155 mph.

2020 BMW X6 M Competition: Big time efficiency and luxurious
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Routing energy via the M-tuned, rear-biased all-wheel-drive system is an eight-speed computerized transmission. As regular, the ZF-sourced gearbox goes about its enterprise seamlessly, ripping off fast and well-timed shifts in full-automatic mode, and presents respectable up- and downshifts in guide mode more often than not. Occasionally, there is a split-second delay after I summon a decrease gear with the left shift paddle.No doubt, there isn’t any scarcity of muscle within the Competition for the road, or perhaps a racetrack if an proprietor decides to throw the swoopy people-mover on one for no matter motive. For high-load conditions like that, the drivetrain ought to hold its cool, delivering constant efficiency with the assistance of six radiators, 4 water pumps and a devoted transmission cooler.

But what’s equally essential is that the drivetrain does have a kinder, gentler facet. Select the Efficiency setting and the X6 strikes alongside in a decent method. It’s quiet, the transmission brief shifting up gears for optimum gas economic system, returning an EPA-estimated 13 miles per gallon within the metropolis and 18 mpg on the freeway. Throughout every week of combined driving on floor streets and expressway runs, I noticed 15 mpg, matching the EPA’s combined-cycle ranking. Not precisely tree-hugging ranges of effectivity, however not horrific, all issues thought-about.

A twin-turbo V8 with 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque make the X6 M Competition a really quick runner.
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Dynamic optionsIf you suppose the Competition’s engine and transmission supply lots of adjustability, wait till you dive into the chassis menus. For those that wish to tinker, they’re going to love the power to govern the three-mode dampers, two-mode steering and two-mode brakes individually of each other. I personally suppose that is overkill, and like-minded people can nonetheless simply punch up a preprogrammed profile for all the things and roll out.Dial all the things as much as full kill and the X6 handles properly for a tall hatchback, weighing in at 5,375 kilos. There’s an appropriate quantity of physique shift at flip in, in addition to noticeable dive beneath braking. The mammoth, staggered 295/35ZR21 entrance and 315/30ZR22 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires present all of the grip anybody will responsibly want for spirited road driving.The X6’s steering is the place BMW drops the ball. In the Sport setting, it presents some weight, however is lacking out with regards to really feel and suggestions. Having two brake efficiency profiles can also be attention-grabbing — the Sport setting makes it tough to brake easily on the road. But there’s lots of braking energy on supply, with six-piston entrance calipers biting down on large outdated 15.5-inch vented and cross-drilled rotors and single-piston rear calipers with 14.9-inch vented and drilled discs.Better dealing with via large tires and brakes.
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Like the drivetrain, while you’re not completely going for it the chassis might be relaxed. Put all the things in Comfort and the trip high quality softens to clean out small impacts. You’ll nonetheless hear audible thuds from a lot of the enlargement joins you come throughout on the massive tires, although. Steering weight lightens with a slight delay in response off middle that is advantageous for puttering round city. And the brake pedal presents much better skill to modulate stopping energy for smoother braking. M looksTo visually backup its rousing efficiency credentials and set itself aside from lesser variations, the X6 M wears an unique entrance bumper with larger air consumption openings, a bigger kidney grille with black bars, flared wheel arches, M entrance fender gills, aero facet mirrors and a rear diffuser with quad exhaust shops. The Competition takes issues a small step additional with superior M star-spoke wheels and black badging, mirror caps, rear diffuser and exhaust pipes.There are some first-class luxurious appointments inside, too. The Competition comes commonplace with full Merino leather-based on the seats and dashboard, M steering wheel and shifter, with tri-color accent stitching, carbon fiber trim, an Alcantara headliner and panoramic sunroof. My check automobile additionally sports activities supremely comfy and supportive M entrance seats with three-stage heating and air flow, and a therapeutic massage operate that is nice to have on journeys each lengthy and brief. Even the entrance cup holders are heated and cooled.Not solely are the Competition’s seats heated and cooled, however they’re massaging, too.
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Minus the massive blind spots because of the X6’s quick roofline, the cabin presents a lot of flexibility. Space is serviceable for occupants in back and front, with sufficient headroom nonetheless for average-height adults within the rear. There’s loads of cubbies to stash gadgets and beneficiant cargo-carrying capability. While the trunk space is not as tall because the X5, it is nonetheless deep, offering 27.4 cubic toes of house, which grows to 59.6 with the again seats down.Strong tech handOn the expertise entrance, the M Competition is packed stuffed with it. Infotainment facilities round BMW’s iDrive 7 software program on a 12.3-inch middle touchscreen, which may also be managed through the dial on the middle console or gesture controls. It’s obtained navigation, an optionally available Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound setup, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay capabilities. And because it’s the newest iDrive 7 system, it will additionally be capable of run wi-fi Android Auto quickly. While it is perhaps overwhelming at first, iDrive is a responsive and intuitive interface to work via with vibrant graphics.BMW’s iDrive 7 infotainment system will quickly be capable of run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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There’s additionally no scarcity of energy factors sprinkled all through the X6’s inside, with a wi-fi cost pad, USB-A, USB-C and 12-volt sockets simply accessible to of us in entrance. People within the rear have a 12-volt outlet on the again of the middle console that actually needs to be a few USB ports as a substitute these days.The driver-assistance menu can also be sizable. Blind-spot monitoring helps with the X6’s mondo sightline points, and lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning with computerized emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors and a 360-degree digicam are commonplace fare. Things like adaptive cruise management, lane-keep help, energetic facet collision safety and BMW’s Extended Traffic Jam Assistant — which may speed up, steer and cease the automobile at under 40 mph in heavy visitors conditions — can be found.How I’d spec itIf my coronary heart was dead-set on a X6 M Competition, which has a $9,000 worth premium over the usual X6 M, I’d resist the urge to get too carried away with choices. A Marina Bay Blue metallic paint job is a no-cost hue, as is the black and Midrand Beige inside combo. The lone choice field I’ll verify is for the $3,600 Executive Package as a result of massaging heated and cooled entrance seats and distant engine begin are price it. All in, my Competition rings in at $122,195, together with $995 for vacation spot, to undercut the $131,745 check automobile you see pictured right here.With a wholesome variety of choices, this X6 M Competition will price you $131,745.
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A slight letdownYes, the 2020 X6 M Competition is probably the most potent and succesful X6 BMW has constructed thus far. Throw in the truth that the third-generation X6 is the perfect trying one but (admittedly, not a really excessive bar) and sports activities a soft inside chock stuffed with creature comforts, and it makes it a superb and really quick day by day driver. But as entertaining as stomping the throttle and capturing properly previous posted velocity limits is, this X6 is not exceptionally enjoyable or rewarding to push arduous and actually drive. For anybody in search of an expertise like that, one thing within the Porsche Cayenne Coupe lineup will serve them higher.