BMW has finally caved into pressure from the competition in the form of high performing versions of SUVs like the Mercedes Benz AMG SUV and minivan. We commented earlier in the year about BMW’s plan to expand their M lineup into SUV territory with the addition of the M versions of the X5 and X6. They have released a set of pictures with the two cars as a sneak preview of what we will see at the upcoming New York Auto Show. While they are able to haul around a bunch of people and cargo, these cars still boast some impressive stats thanks to a big twin turbo engine, a paddle shifted automatic transmission that is packed with technology, and the “BMW Dynamic Performance Control” system.

They are particularly proud of the new motor that will be powering these things: a 4.4 liter reverse-flow twin scroll turbocharged V8. If the engine looks a bit weird, you’re probably not alone in thinking so; most V configured engines have the intake sides on the inside of the “V”, while this engine has changed it up and draws in air from the “outside” of the cylinder heads. Exhaust gasses are expelled inward towards the engine where a set of turbochargers conveniently sit. In a turbocharging situation I can see how this setup is beneficial; the turbo piping can be significantly shortened which reduces the waiting time until the engine is at maximum boost which is 21 psi.

One of the problems that this setup has to deal with is the compactness of important parts. The location of the intake parts may transform some routine maintenance into much more time consuming challenges. Heat is another problem that reverse flow engines run into; the compactness naturally leads to more heat in a smaller area. BMW has remedied the heat problem with a set of water to air intercoolers and an external oil cooler.

Power is regulated by a six speed M Sports Auto transmission which has the standard pattern of luxury sports transmission technology. It has an automatic mode along with a manual paddle shifting mode that is truly manual, unlike most autostick manuals that will not let you take the engine to redline and hold it there. Drivers will also be able to use a launch control mode that is pretty self explanatory.

In order to get all that power to the ground and turn well, the X5 M and X6 M will have the BMW xDrive all wheel drive system and the M Dynamic Performance Control. It is essentially a traction control system that is oriented towards performance driving which should help out lap times instead of being an overbearing nanny. They claim that it will let you approach a corner with maximum possible speed before making any adjustments, which is pretty comforting to know when you are driving a huge SUV at 9/10ths.

Knowing BMW, the X5 M and X6 M will be fairly fun to drive, but how will it stack up against others in the lineup like the BMW M5 Wagon or BMW M3 Sedan? They are scheduled to drop at the upcoming New York Auto Show.