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l.a. auto show

BMW reveals the X5 M at the L.A. Auto Show on Nov. 20, 2014.Jeremy Cato

What is it

These fraternal twins come from the same company bringing you the electrified i8 and i3. The X5 M and X6 M are what BMW calls "pull no punches" versions of the all-wheel-drive X5 and X6 SUVs. The i-cars are all about lightweight carbon fibre and reduced or zero emissions driving. Then there's this duo. Go figure.

Signature feature

BMW's in-house tuner division, BMW M GmbH, has built two big rigs capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. Ah, but the company says fuel consumption is down 20 per cent, CO2 emissions are likewise down by more than 20 per cent, to 258 g/km.

What else is new

Of course the suspension and steering have been tuned to handle all the power without sacrificing comfort and agility, says BMW. The brakes are upgraded, too, and there are "M" cosmetic add-ons like sill plates and badging.

Under the hood

What BMW call its M TwinPower Turbo V8, "the most powerful engine ever developed by BMW for an all-wheel-drive vehicle: the 4.4-litre V-8 produces maximum output of 567 hp between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm, with torque at 553 lb-ft 2,200 and 5,000 rpm. Gearbox: eight-speed M Steptronic transmission.

When can we buy it, and for how much

Arrives in Canadian showrooms in the spring of 2015. Pricing will be announced in December 2014.

Cool quotient: 4.0

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