If you had to build a genuinely high performance SUV, the BMW X6 wouldn't be a bad place to start. The car is huge but it seems to shrink to fit around its driver as a result of its direct steering and rigid body control. It's still more leisure suit than leotard, though. The X6 M ups the anti in traditional M car style with more power and lots of it. The 4.4-litre V8 engine uses TwinScroll turbochargers to achieve its 575bhp power output and that's enough to get the X6 M off the line and through the 62mph barrier in 4.2s. That big hunk of power is distributed through the xDrive 4x4 system which uses Dynamic Performance Control technology to optimise traction. Rather than braking individual wheels, Dynamic Performance Control works like a differential, reducing the power fed to wheels that are losing grip for smoother results with less reduction in performance.
The twin turbo technology in the engine bay of the X6 M produces a huge degree of flexibility. The turbos work in tandem to make the unit's 750Nm maximum torque available from 1,500rpm all the way up to nearly 5,000rpm. The 8-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox has its work cut out dealing with those mighty reserves of shove but the upgraded unit should be up to the task. It can be set to Drive, Sport or Manual modes with the latter allowing gears to be selected via the steering wheel paddle shifters. There's launch control for replicating those Grand Prix starts and the independent suspension is 10mm lower than on a standard X6. Needless to say, off-road driving will not be advisable.