The BMW M3 CSL is being canned – in favour of faster 4x4s? BMW’s M Division is lending a hand to develop high-performance X5 and X6 models and our spies have snapped the go-faster X6 hot weather testing in the US and the hot X5 pounding the Nurburgring in Germany. Both SUVs are expected to use a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, tweaked to over 460bhp, and cost at least £60,000. It's not clear at this stage how the cars will be badged, not least because of the MX-5 and MX-6 trademarks owned by Mazda.BMW has caused controversy with its X6. We know manufacturers are trying to fill every niche, but a 4x4-cum-coupe? Really? Then again, with a clever XDrive rear diff this BMW also has the potential to be the best handling 4x4 ever.
How does the new BMW X6 stack up on the road? CAR road test editor Chris Chilton puts the £44,590 beast through its paces.
