BMW: Ice giant with power to burn

The BMW X5M is unfazed by extreme cold. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

It was digging into 20cm of snow to clear the headlights which suggested I might not get an informative test drive of BMW's X5M.

Flying to Europe to drive a new car is rarely as glamorous as it sounds - and at -7C, still snowing, and with a flight to catch from the next country along, it felt very far from. Risky? Oh yes. So risky that BMW cancelled our Alpine crossing in favour of the autobahn - 20 minutes of around-town driving followed by two hours in an almost dead straight line.

What's new?
This is the M Division's first four-paw variant, with the X6M. Both are powered by BMW's 4.4-litre twin-scroll twin-turbo V8 mated to a six-speed auto transmission. It's a potent powerplant that makes these the most powerful M cars so far, with 408kW from 5740 to 6000rpm, and 680Nm of torque available from 1500 to 5650rpm. That's enough to take the 2.4-tonne car from zero to 100 in a claimed 4.7seconds, and to tow 3 tonnes.

Onlookers will identify that this is the quick X5 via the M's more aggressive face with larger front air intakes, unique front flanks with gill intakes and its 20-inch wheels.

The company line
In theory, that buyers seeking a sports utility vehicle with an emphasis on sports are willing to pay for the luxury of power - and anyway, it can test this powerplant in advance of its likely appearance in the next M5.

In practice - "Be careful; it may be four-wheel drive but there's a limit to what electronics can do in sub-zero snow conditions."

What we say
An SUV that can crack 100km/h in under five seconds and top 250km/h might seem an anachronism, but while people are prepared to buy Porsche's Cayenne turbo, there will always be some who'll pay more to top it.

Those buyers will find a comfy cabin and rock-solid cruising confidence. The X5M drove as if the road were warm and dry; the engine apparently unfazed by the extreme cold.

The cabin's certainly cosseting, and playing with the info screens keeps the passenger busy. Want to watch where the torque's going? You can. Dial in how high the tailgate lifts? No problem.

Meantime, our autobahn drive wasn't the best test of the big engine's thirst; the 18.8l/100km (over 1269km of varied driving) significantly adrift of BMW's 13.9l/100km claim.

On the road
BMW's X5 has always been a driver-oriented SUV rather than an off-roader. We'd expect this variant to be more assured, thanks to electronically adjustable dampers, active anti-roll control, a self-levelling rear axle and Servotronic steering developed especially for this car, something we'll test after its expected June arrival along with real-road ride comfort, not normally a BMW strong point.

However, ski bunnies will be reassured to hear how serene this overpowered car was in such appalling conditions, with over-keen throttle application instantly reined in by the suite of electronic nannies.

Why you'll buy one
Few other cars can boast this much torque; you've got shares in a fuel company.

Why you won't
If you want a performance car, you don't want an SUV compromise; a 2.4-tonne, gas-guzzling SUV is a concept that's past its time.