BMW's go fast division's hottest car in NZ by November

BMW high performance M division's fastest car, the X6 M, will swoop onto the New Zealand market in November with a supercharged $240,000 price tag.

That's $65,000 more than the current most expensive version, the SE Sport V8.

Its M TwinPower 4395cc turbo engine delivers 408kW of power and 680Nm of torque, and claims 0 to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds. BMW reckons this will give X6 M owners bragging rights over rival Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. Peak torque is maintained from 1500rpm to 5650rpm.

The unusual-looking vehicle's "intelligent" all-wheel drive allows variable distribution of drive power front to rear. Dynamic Performance Control varies the distribution of power between the two rear wheels, allowing particularly dynamic acceleration out of a bend.

The specification includes self-levelling air suspension on the rear axle as well as Adaptive Drive with electronically adjustable dampers (EDC) and active anti-roll control.

M Servotronic steering, developed for the X6 M, provides steering assistance related to the speed of the car and can be adjusted to provide more "sporting" dynamics.

To make sure everyone knows what you're driving, the X6 M has large front air intakes, special twin tailpipes, tailored front side panels with "M-gills" and 20-inch alloy wheels.

An M version of the more practical X5 will follow next year.