2021 BMW X5 and X6 M Competition First Edition bound for Australia

BMW Australia has succesfully secured a minuscule run of the X5 M and X6 M First Edition Uber SUVs. In total, four of each model will land on our shores in early 2021 with frozen paintwork and other goodies to tell them apart from ‘regular’ variants.

If you’ve been paying attention, though, you’re probably aware that the latest full-fat M variants of the X5 and X6 have been on sale since August in a similar same guise.

That is – all-paw turbocharged monsters weighing in at over two tonnes packing twin-turbo V8s under the bonnet. Not a vehicle for everyone – though we doubt BMW Australia will struggle to sell their small allocation.

We already have a detailed review of the X5 M here – where Tom deemed that the big bruiser “can set a genuinely quick pace, either on a straight course or cross-country: the X5 will keep up with fast sedans on hill climbs with remarkably little trouble”.

So what else is different about the (slightly) misnomered First Editions that are due next year? Well, they are only available in two colours – the Individual Frozen Dark Silver paintwork pictured on the X6 M which is exclusive to these vehicles, and Marina Bay Blue.

That Matte finish may prove challenging to look after, but in pictures it certainly shows off the bulging bodywork well, highlighting the menace of these big Bavarians.

On top of that, there is an exterior package that finishes the rear diffuser, front air-dams, side details, rear spoiler and engine cover in carbon fibre-look material instead of the usual mix of chrome and body-colour. The dark theme outside finishes with a set of staggered – 21-inch front, 22-inch rear – alloy wheels which are painted in gloss Jet Black.

Inside the First Editions are essentially just loaded versions of the X6 and X5 M Competitions. Seats appointed in BMW’s highest-grade Merino leather with orange contrast stitching feature Alcantara bolstering to better hold passengers in. The seats are, naturally, fitted with electric adjustment and memory functions.

Topping off the motorsport-inspired interior – yes, we know it’s an SUV too – is an Alcantara headliner and carbon fibre-look trim inserts.

BMW won’t let anyone forget the limited nature of these vehicles either – emblazoning 1/250 decals on the trim carbon-look trim before the clear-coat.

Powering the First Edition models is the same familiar twin-turbo V8 with outputs of 460kW and 750Nm in Competition form – it’s the same V8 found under the bonnet of the svelte M8.

Switchable drive-modes in the X5 and X6 M also take advantage of the standard-fit M differential, sending more power to the rear wheels in Sport+ mode allowing delicious and controlled slides when conditions should permit. BMW won’t let you disconnect the front axle of these behemoths as they will in the lither M3 and M4, however.

Exact Australian pricing is due to be confirmed closer to the arrival of the X5 M and X6 M Competition first edition, though punters will need to get in quick if they’re to snap up one of the four Aus-bound examples.