When BMW built the X6 many people said it had lost the plot by creating a niche for which there'd be no buyer. Who wants an SUV that won't go off-road, a wagon without a cavernous boot, or a high-riding sports coupe that weighs over two tonnes?
And who would want this high-performance X6M version? Mash the go pedal to the floor and you briefly take off as 680Nm slams to the tarmac and catapults you into next week, fighting whiplash, the wheel and a lightning attack of antisocial hoonery. This car isn't made for speed limits.
Which is why I'll be at Hampton Downs for the NZ Festival of Motor Racing Celebrating BMW Motorsport from January 20-22 and 27-29.
There will be an Historic Touring Car Challenge, a class for the 1980s E30 and one that outlines the history of BMW sedan racing in this country. Drivers like Jim Richards and former F1 ace Chris Amon will be on the track. And this X6M will keep them honest - it's the safety car, and it'll howl round along with the focussed racers. It can do so because it fields a 4.4-litre V8 motor with twin turbos nestled between the two cylinder rows. It boasts 408kW and the ability to hit 100kph from rest in 4.7 seconds. That's quicker than a manual M3 coupe, courtesy of a torque peak which surfs between 1500 and 5650rpm and hands over to peak power until 6000; this mighty engine delivers its all across a 4500rpm range via an impressive six-speed auto transmission.
Trouble is, though it feels unstoppable it rarely seems that fast. I'd like a bit more drama to the soundtrack from the cabin - it's a head-turner if passersby are any judge - and a touch less steering resistance at slower speeds.
