Unveiling the 2024 BMW X5 M Competition: Best in Black Sapphire?

BMW’s Individual catalog offers many unique paint options. Yet, black remains a simple, striking choice. For 2024, the BMW X5 M showcases Black Sapphire Metallic, a free color in the U.S. Moving forward, this hue is exclusive to the Competition model. This excellent model features M Star-spoke wheels. They sport a two-tone finish, with 21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rear ones.

The brakes offer a splash of colour with optional $650 red callipers, replacing the standard blue. For a completely dark look, you can choose black. This 2024 X5 M Competition showcases a redesigned kidney grille with horizontal slats, slimmer headlights, and arrow-shaped turn signals. The reworked taillight LED graphics now features an ‘X’ design.

The SUV’s interior continues the monochrome theme, featuring black Merino leather, a $3,500 US upgrade. The mid-cycle refresh introduces an illuminated image on the dashboard’s passenger side. It replaces the former “M” emblem, complementing the new iDrive 8 system that has replaced most physical controls. The X5 M60i shares this feature, but cheaper models display an “X” instead.

One photo offers a glimpse under the hood at the S68’s home. It displays a unique “M Power” engine cover, with an M emblem and red accents indicating an eight-cylinder engine. Despite its mild hybrid system (48V), the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 boasts 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. A small electric motor in the eight-speed automatic transmission powers the engine, providing 12 horsepower and 147 lb-ft boosts.

Priced at $122,300 before extras, the X5 M Competition isn’t cheap. Yet, it’s around $37,000 less than the XM. Despite less power, its lower curb weight should offer quicker speeds. Also, it seems less contentious than the plug-in hybrid SUV.

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