BMW will release special editions of the X5 M and X6 M, with exciting—and relatively short—names. Coming in August are the X5 M Black Fire and the X6 M Black Fire.
We have to admit, the Black Fire editions of the X5 M and X6 M look hot; in their Sapphire Black Metallic paint with black M kidney grilles (with black bars) and carbon mirror caps, the two Black Fire models exude bold M styling and a mean look.
The black design extends to the black forged 21-inch M alloy wheels—10 J x 21 in front and 11.5 J x 21 in back. BMW says these big wheels are weight-optimized. We hope that means they are light in weight. The wideness of the tires will help keep these beasts on the road if the road is where the driver wants to stay. With BMW xDrive and a decent ground clearance, they could go off road although how many X5 M and X6 M drivers actually go there?
The interiors of the X5 M and X6 M Black Fires are especially distinctive, with standard fully-electric M multifunctional seats and integrated headrests in fine-grain contrasting Black and Mugello Red Merino leather. The BMW Individual headliner is anthracite, while interior trim has piano finish black. The right side of the interior trim has a distinctive X5 M Black Fire or X6 M Black Fire identifier.
The standard steering wheel is the multifunctional M leather steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles, but the BMW M Performance Alcantara steering wheel with light-blue leather motorsport accent is a no-charge option.
At the heart of these two X M vehicles is the engine, which has not been modified further than what BMW M has already done to it. The 4.4-liter M TwinPower turbo V8 produces 575 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, enough to send the vehicles from zero to 62 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds.
The BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system has been set up with a distinctively rear-wheel bias. The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) lets drivers adapt driving mode of the BMW X5 M or BMW X6 M to most situations. In “DSC on” mode, the brake interventions work to prevent understeer and oversteer. “MDM” allows greater wheel slip and small drifts. Deactivating DSC (“DSC off”) allows drivers to explore the vehicle's limits on the track.
The new special editions will be available starting in August 2017. Pricing was not announced, but expect the Black Fire editions to be substantially more than the $100,700 or $104,400, respectively, that BMW sets as the suggested retail price of the "regular" X5 M and X6 M.
The X5 M and X6 M were already the bad boys of BMW's family of X vehicles. These two Black Fire editions will add a rich exclusivity and look to already great-performing machines.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
