The
BMW X5 M is a high-performance derivative of the X5. It was introduced to the press at the
New York Auto Show in April 2009 and started appearing in BMW dealerships in September 2009, for the 2010 model year. It competes with cars such as the
Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, the
Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, and the
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. The BMW X5 M is the first xDrive all-wheel-drive vehicle from M GmbH along with the
X6 M. The M offers the same utility as the regular X5, with the addition of the V8 M TwinPower Turbo, a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 delivering at 5,750 rpm and peak torque of , available between 1,500 and 5,650 rpm. The
S63 engine is a high output variation of the N63 power unit. The X5 M can sprint from a standstill to in 4.0 seconds, and a quarter-mile (402 m) time of 12.5 seconds with a trap speed of was recorded by
Car and Driver magazine. In the same test, the X5 M bested the 0– and quarter-mile times of the 2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, the 2009
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, and the 2010
Range Rover Sport Supercharged. In wet conditions, the X5 M went around the
Top Gear Test Track in 1:28.2, 5.1 seconds faster than the
Audi Q7 V12 TDI. Coupled with special suspension specifically optimized for M that features Adaptive Drive and the newly developed M
Servotronic power steering, the performance Sport Activity Vehicle promises very competent handling. Other high-tech features include launch control for maximum acceleration and a six-speed M Sport automatic transmission optimized for performance. Drivers can manually select gears using either paddles or an electronic gear selector lever. Electronically controlled, variable power distribution to the front and rear axle prevents the tendency to oversteer or understeer, before DSC
Dynamic Stability Control is required to cut in. The BMW X5 M features the biggest brakes on a BMW production vehicle, with 15.55-inch (395 mm × 36 mm) rotors up front clamped by four-piston calipers, and 15.2-inch (385 mm × 24 mm) rotors at the rear with single-piston calipers. Although traction control is standard, the M Dynamic Mode (MDM) reduces the effect of the system, allowing some wheelspin and drift-type cornering. For the 2013 model lineup, BMW introduced the M Performance Package available for the xDrive35i and xDrive50i. The M Performance Package models have nearly identical features to the X5 M (sport suspension, wider fenders, staggered wheels, etc.) excluding the quad-tip exhaust, headlights, and engines. The M Performance Package also bumped up the engine output for both models - an additional for the xDrive35i and for the xDrive50i (torque was also increased by 30 lb-ft for both). M Performance Parts were available for the X5 M. These include black kidney grilles, steel pedals, a sport steering wheel and M rims. ==Model lineup==