The article was originally produced on November 13, 2009, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

BMW X5 M

In these tough times for car makers, they are now abandoning their idiologies on a regular basis. Among the first to do so was Jaguar, which built a hatchback model based on the X-Type. Then there was Porsche, which promised dearly that it would never make a Porsche with a diesel engine, but later did so with a Cayenne Diesel. The Cayenne itself was also something that many genuine Porsche customers strongly opposed. After that, it was Audi that broke its stance of never having more than one RS model in production at a time, now with the RS6 and TTRS out at the same time. And so it was time for BMW to follow the trend of breaking its ideals. Many have questioned BMW why an M version was not made on the 7 series. BWM has replied that an M7 would not be in line with what the M-sport section stands for. But now they are doing it, releasing M versions of the X5 and X6, two fat city SUVs that really do not have to do with BMW M-sports' genuine mindset.

Previous M cars that have been in BMW's model fleet have been the M1, M3, M5, Z3M and Z4M. These cars are sporty right down to the tips of your fingers and it's easy to understand after driving one of them. So that the X5 and X6 do not belong in this crowd of tight sports cars, there is no doubt. But now BMW has clearly reasoned that customers wanted these models and therefore bowed to market demand. And if they did, we were of course to try one of the models. And because we're talking porky SUV with an even more vulgar and porky V8 with twin turbos of unimaginable 550 horsepower. Yes, then there was only one country suitable enough to test this cart in, the United States of the Humbugs and Coca-Cola.

I woke up earlier than the rooster thanks to jet lag and hung up at BMW Manhattan on a sunny Monday morning in early November. Outside the windows I could glimpse a Monte Carlo blue X5M standing and shining. I am finally let in by a very nice gentleman with perfect American service behaviour. When we jump in the car and he starts the sentence that he will give me a brief review of the car, I have already located the start button and the car hisses start closely followed by the gentleman's from BMW's voice, -Oh, so I see you all ready no tis car! Shortly afterwards I roll along 6 avenue and let Jay-Z and Alica Key's latest song, Empire State of mind flow out of the speakers at maximum volume.

It's not the first time I've been allowed to use cars in the US and New York, and the last time was a year ago with the test of the VW Passat CC that could be read in CS Hemma. Driving a car in New York is very much about taking your time. Because if you don't, you're practically guaranteed to be run over by a yellow taxi. And going for it when you know you've got 550 horses under the bonnet is not difficult at all. You just aim and shoot where you want, this car does better than the Diascovery ferry at launch. To understand exactly what those 680 Newton metres of torque really do, I headed out to a deserted road on Coney Island to test the Launch control. After a bit of manual reading and button pushing I manage to get a launch. And like the steepest hill on the Balder roller coaster at Liseberg, my stomach heaves with the g-force. I have not experienced such a strong roller coaster effect since I tested a worst snowmobile from Yamaha at full speed over an open ice on a frozen lake. Absolutely crazy to say the least!

Driving comfort is impeccable in an X5M, there is no question about that. You sit in a comfortable armchair with all controls easily accessible. The now slightly modified iDriven control makes it easy to operate all settings in the Navigator and on the car. 

If you're going to drive the X5M, you have to be prepared for serious alcoholism from gasoline, because this guy drinks worse than the worst a-layer outside the company!

BMW X5M

Basic price	From SEK 1,050,000
Engine	4.4 liter V8 with twin turbo, 550 hp. Torque 680 nm
Transmission	6-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Acceleration	0-100 in 4.7 seconds
Top speed	limited to 250 km/h
Fuel consumption mixed driving according to the manufacturer	13.9 l/100 km
Weight	2,380 kg
Guarantees	3-year service or 8,000 miles, 3-year paint, 12-year rust warranty, 5-year BMW mobile care
Grade	3
Web	www.bmw.se
+	Insanity racket like no other!
-	This is still a clumsy SUV that violates M-Sport's ideology.