BMW's M line grows with X6 M, X5 M

Say what you will about BMW's X6, car manufacturers are picking up on the new niche of the tall riding coupe. Case in point is the new Acura ZDX Prototype. Acura see's the potential of the new market, with their new car based on the MDX, while BMW's new X6 M is built off the X5 platform.

The X6 M is being heralded as one of the most powerful road-going BMW's built, packing a twin-turbocharged 555hp V8 engine. Mix in the advantage of all-wheel drive and you've got the makings of a true high-performance vehicle. The X6 M sprints to 62mph in a time of only 4.7 seconds, comparable to the incredible BMW M3.

Not only is the styling of the X6 groundbreaking, but it's 4.4-litre engine incorporates a world first for an M-badged vehicle. BMW has engineered the V8 to have both the turbochargers and the catalytic converter located within the vee of the power plant. This helps the engine breathe better and at a higher efficiency due to the shorter exit manifold, resulting in better packaging as the motor is more compact.

As I implied above, the X6 has no doubt raised eyebrows among BMW enthusiasts. Is it a coupe, an SUV, a sedan? All of the above. For now, it's unique, with BMW getting a lot of controversial attention. Time will tell how it translates into sales.