2023 BMW X5 M and X6 M Competition upgraded
Mild-hybrid twin-turbo V8 but no more power for fastest versions of updated BMW X5 and X6 large SUVsUPDATED 22/02/2023 NOON: BMW Australia has confirmed local pricing and specs for the upgraded 2023 BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition, and the big news is a hefty $14,000 price hike for both models, to $241,900 and $247,900 respectively (plus on-road costs).
Additional standard equipment for both SUVs in Australia includes BMW Drive Recorder including Remote Theft Recorder, front Active Seat Ventilation, front Massage Function, rear Seat Heating, from armrest heating, Privacy Glass, Remote Engine Start and M Lights Shadowline.
A range of option packs are available including a Comfort package (acoustic glazing, rear side sunshades, automated slip sliding rail cargo system and, for X5, an electric rolling cover) for $2800 (X6: $2100), while the Indulgence Package comprises an ambient air package, Skylounge Panorama glass roof and Bower & Wilkins surround sound system for $9500.
Individual options include M roof rails in high-gloss Shadow Line (standard on X5, $800 for X6), M Carbon engine cover ($2200), M Carbon mirror caps ($1600), M Carbon rear spoiler ($2000, X6 only).
ORIGINAL ARTICLE PUBLISHED 22/02/2023 11:00am: BMW’s dominant position in the big, fast luxury SUV department has been under threat lately, and now it is hitting back with the upgraded 2023 X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition, based on the recently facelifted BMW X5 and X6.
Though their power outputs haven’t changed and both models are actually slower due to extra weight, BMW M insists its largest SUVs are better than before.
To justify this, it points to an updated steering rack, a major shift in the skid-control strategy, a curved multimedia display screen and a wider claimed envelope between the SUVs’ comfort and handling limits.
Like the updated BMW X5 and X6 on which they're based, the 2023 X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition will arrive in Australian showrooms in the third quarter of this year and both models are also likely to increase in price.
What’s new under the bonnet?
The answer is lots of detailed stuff for the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition, which shares almost everything with the sleeker BMW X6 M Competition, which in turn continues to lose 70 litres of luggage capacity but accelerate to 200km/h 0.2 seconds sooner (in 13.6sec) due to its slipperier ‘coupe’ shape.
The biggest under-bonnet shift is the addition of electric boosting for the twin-turbo 4.4-litre petrol V8, with both M Competition SUVs gaining 48-volt electrical systems to power both their integrated starter-generators and their active anti-roll bars.
The mild-hybrid tech adds 9kW of power and a not-insignificant 200Nm of torque when required, and also gathers otherwise-wasted energy from braking or coasting then sends it to the engine, transmission and all four wheels.
However, that hasn’t helped with official combined fuel consumption figures, which are now listed at 12.9-13.1L/100km compared to the outgoing models’ 12.5L/100km. But the new figure was achieved on the more realistic WLTP test cycle instead of the lab-based NEDC test.
Like the models they replace, the V8 in the latest X5 and X6 M Competition boasts 750Nm of torque (over a broad 1800-5800rpm spread) and 460kW of power at 6000rpm.
But the updated SUV flagships now hit 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds – 0.1sec later than their predecessors (and the smaller BMW X3 and X4 M Competition) because they’re 90kg heavier than before at 2400kg.
Smarter chassis
The other big reason the 2023 BMW X5 and X6 M Competition have a grunty 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system is to power the active anti-roll bar.
Similar to systems employed by key rivals Audi and Mercedes-Benz, it uses an electric motor to vary anti-roll bar tension to reduce body roll while maintaining ride quality.
There are other important new gubbins below decks, including two-mode brake pedal feel, depending on whether the driver is in Sport or Comfort mode.
There is a new steering gear as well, and the new eight-speed automatic transmission has three different shift settings. The first three gears are also shorter to improve acceleration, while rest remain tall to reduce fuel use and noise when cruising.
The all-wheel drive system has been tweaked, too, and now includes 4WD Sport, which sends so much torque to the active rear differential that it is, in effect, a drift mode.
There are also more driver assistance systems, including autonomous emergency braking that can now detect oncoming traffic when turning across a lane and identify pedestrians and cyclists when turning into another street or driveway.
What’s Inside?
Like the facelifted the BMW X5 and X6, the M Competition versions switch to the new BMW Operating System 8 software, as also seen in the X7 and 7 Series.
It comes with a 14.9-inch instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch multimedia screen, and both higher-resolution digital displays are enclosed behind a single curved screen.
In addition, there are M pedals, M seat belts, grippier M seats and an M steering wheel within a cabin largely altered in trim rather than substance.
And the outside?
Like their updated donor models, the 2023 BMW X5 and X6 M Competition have had design tweaks that, in some areas, bring actual benefits.
The most prominent of these are the headlights, which are 35mm narrower but are now adaptive Matrix LEDs, which can be left on high-beam without dazzling oncoming traffic or even pedestrians because they blank out whatever lenses are pointed their way.
The grilles are black and there are now X-shaped fibre-optic graphics in the tail-lights. There are new 21-inch front and 22-inch rear alloy wheels, both now available in black.
The drag coefficient remains a whopping 0.38Cd and an M Sport exhaust with four black-chrome 100mm-diameter outlets is accompanied by a rear diffuser.
Significant options
Besides a single solid paint colour and nine standard metallic hues, there is a choice of 50 special BMW Individual colours.
But there are new colours like M Brooklyn Grey metallic, M Isle of Man Green metallic and the BMW Individual Frozen Pure Grey metallic, plus more matte colours.
Blue brake callipers are standard, but red and black are no-cost options.
Digital Key Plus transforms a smartphone into a key using an ultra-wide band (UWB) system, and that can also be used to help the (also) optional Parking Assistant Professional.
The latter can record up to 10 locations of up to 200 metres each and the car can then perform them in an automated routine, with or without a driver on board, in either direction.
There are also options for soft-closing doors, or to upgrade the standard 2.5-zone climate control to a four-zone system.
There is a Heat pack to warm up the armrests, centre console lid and the steering wheel, and an optional steering wheel that replaces leather with a combination of carbon-fibre and Alcantara.
The standard BMW Individual full Merino leather is available in seven colour combinations including an optional new bicolour Ivory White/Atlas Grey scheme, and other luxury interior options include a night-sky look for the panoramic roof via the addition of 15,000 lights.
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