The BMW X3 M And X4 M Are Coming With Inline-Six Power

Although it might seem like there’s an ultra-fast version of every SUV going, there are some surprising gaps which are only just being filled. Audi is thought to be cooking up its first-ever RS Q5, for instance, and despite the Jaguar F-Pace being revealed about three years ago, the hot SVR is only just coming to market.

Exhibit C and D? Let us present the BMW X3 and X4, neither of which has ever had a full on M Division treatment. However, Munich is no longer happy letting the X5 and X6 hold the bonkers quick BMW SUV torch on their own - soon, these V8-powered brutes will be joined by proper M versions of the X3 and X4.

Both have been previewed by new images of two lightly camouflaged prototypes, with a handful of accompanying details.

Rather than stuff a V8 under the bonnet of each (which would be brilliantly hilarious), BMW has instead given each a twin-turbo inline-six. Where it gets interesting is while the engine is - from the sounds of it - related to the 424bhp 3.0-litre ‘S55’ unit in the current M3 and M4, BMW is dubbing it “newly developed”. Perhaps this is the unit we’ll see in the next M3 and M4.

BMW has also seen fit to give the X3 and X4 Ms a development of the M5’s trick all-wheel drive system, which we’re hoping means there’ll be a 2WD mode. Because burnouts.

Expect a full reveal later this year, and a starting price of over £60,000.