Fast SUVs are, in spite of logic, increasingly popular. SUVs that look fast? Equally so. To the latter crowd, then, BMW has some modifications available for its new, fourth-generation and really rather big X5. Step forward, M Performance.
Because who doesn’t want to see a heavyweight dressed up in a track suit and sports shoes? The new X5—which, admittedly is good—can be tarted up with carbon-fiber components for things like air intakes, front and rear winglets, the rear diffuser, and even the mirror caps.
More technical stuff comes in the shape of 20-inch light-alloy black wheels and all-terrain tires, or the optional 22-inch light-alloy wheels that are 1kg lighter than comparable wheels. Apparently. Yup, we’re now in the realm of dialing up turn-in responses for a two-ton SUV.
Brakes. Probably a good thing to address. M Performance discs measure 19 inches—think dinner plate—and are better at dealing with heat forces, while the aluminum calipers house four pistons. Grabby.
There’s yet more M Performance branding you can throw at the inside like a new steering wheel, floor mats, inscriptions, and so on. And a ‘Drive Analyzer’ that plugs into the X5 to give you driving dynamics data.
As we mentioned, the base car is good. You can read our review of the new fourth-gen BMW X5 here.
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
