We have been to a few random places to try out new cars over the years, but BMW Australia managed to land a first recently – out in the wilds of South Australia.
And while the rough conditions of the sunburnt country do lend themselves to four-wheel drives, and by extension SUVs, this event was for something in a slightly different direction.
For this was the second Australiasian installation of the brand’s M Town concept.
The first was an attempt to hit the snow at New Zealand’s Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds which fell a little flat because of weather conditions.
This time we are on the clay pans at Nilpena Station in South Australia, ostensibly for the launch of the new X3 M and X4 M Competition models – although really to experience more than just that.
What is M Town? It is a global campaign to show off BMW’s broad range of specialist M models.
The tagline is a little awkward: “Where too much is just right”, but the intent and execution are rather fun.
To pull from the BMW marketing kit: “M Town is a virtual dream city that celebrates the legendary BMW Group brand specialising in high performance sports cars and provides the platform to generate immersive content for both motorsport enthusiasts and fans of the marque.”
The event this time equated to an almost Mad Max feel to the safer tents housing the non-driving elements of the day, massive M Town signage best observed from a drone, and – most importantly – a massive rally stage marked out on the firm-yet-powdery clay pan surface.
Before we get into the fun, why is BMW so eager to push its M and X products out to the market? Because they sell.
Tony Sesto, general manager of marketing for BMW Group Australia, says it is because both badges sell.
In Australia, X model accounts for 62% of sales to the end of July, and M model sales are up around a half.
In New Zealand, penetration is even higher.
“For us, in Australia, and I am sure in New Zealand, we are petrol heads,” Sesto puts it.
It is a busy year for a new product for both X and M as well.
A new X6 is on the way, an M50i and plug-in hybrid models are joining the X5 range, and the X7 range is beginning to find its footing at the top end.
The last to hit the road, err, clay, and likely to be a solid seller, will be the X3 and X4 M models.
Specifically, Australia is getting the “Competition” model only, as according to head of product planning, Brendan Michel, that is what Australasian buyers flock to.
“History has shown that when we have an M model and an M Competition model, everyone goes for the Competition.
The headline figures for both models are impressive.
Power comes from the straight-six twin-turbo producing 375kW and 600Nm.
BMW claims the engine is 90% new, and includes trick 3D printing for the core of the cylinder heads.
The turbos drive three cylinders each.
The cooling system has been significantly up-rated to allow you to spend time on the track without the fear of cooing the engine.
“This is what the guys back in Munich refer to as a race-track ready cooling system,” Michel says.
“You can take this car to the track and fang it around all day and it will be fine.”
The claimed 4.1-second 0-100km time is reportedly conservative, and reports are 3.8-seconds is possible.
Drive goes to all four wheels, though an eight-speed automatic and a rear active M differential.
Unlike the M5 you can’t send 100% of power to the rear wheels, though in 4WD Sport it gets close at up to 80%.
Combine this with BMW’s programmable drive systems and you can set the car up through the steering wheel mounted buttons – M1 and M2 – for leery slides on the appropriate surfaces.
The brakes are massive 395mm vented discs with four pistons at the front, and 370mm discs with a single piston in the rear.
Comfort is as you would expect in a BMW SUV – a well screwed together interior, comfortable model specific sports seats and an updated heads up display.
You also get the full BMW Driving Assistant Plus system.
The X3 M is priced from $178,900 and the X4 M at $183,600.
Slideways
So, what does 375kW and rear-biased all-wheel drive feel like on a 23-corner clay and bull dust based circuit? A lot of fun.
Racer Karl Reindler took us for a sighting lap prior, encouraging us to stay on the power in certain sections and to avoid cutting the barely defined corners.
He demonstrates with a near overshoot that the surface offers little braking grip.
We get our chance behind the wheel with the full stability programmes on, and find the X3M gets around well enough.
Acceleration even on the surface is rapid (the engine sounds amazing), but the systems seem a little too eager to intervene in the corners.
Next lap, hit the M2 button and forcing a switch to Sport 4WD and a less intense M Stability mode – turning everything off was verboten – and what a difference.
Instantly it felt like I was a rally hero, able to take corners in a near 90-degree power slide.
This is not talent, this is great electronics and a brilliant chassis.
Cue round after round of fun, coating the cars in bull dust and sending plumes into the blue South Australian sky.
If this is M Town, point out where to sign up for residency.
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