BMW recently announced that their M Division was working on an entirely new line of cars dubbed “BMW M Performance.” These sports performance cars would combine unrestricted everyday usability and outstanding efficiency. Today BMW has announced the first four models: BMW M550d xDrive Sedan,
BMW M550d xDrive Touring, BMW X5 M50d and BMW X6 M50d.

BMW provided an immense list of performance figures, modifications, and gadgets in which we found the following extra juicy bits of information:

• World premiere for a new six-cylinder in-line diesel engine developed exclusively for the BMW M Performance Automobiles. BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology and three turbochargers collaborate to produce 381 horsepower and 740 Newton metres of torque.
• M-specific tuning of suspension, bodyshell mounting, engine and transmission mounting, springs and dampers, all standard and optional chassis control systems, and the Servotronic mapping for the hydraulic steering; result is significantly enhanced agility and precision in dynamic driving situations, with the linear build-up of lateral forces familiar from M cars.
• The electronic all-wheel-drive system is tailored to each model, allowing the threat of understeer in extremely dynamic driving situations to be counteracted by adjustments to the power split, without the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system having to intervene.
• BMW M550d xDrive Sedan: Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h]: 4.7 seconds, top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph), average fuel consumption: 6.3 litres/100 kilometres.
• BMW X5 M50d: Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h]: 5.4 seconds, top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph), average fuel consumption: 7.5 litres/100 kilometres (37.7 mpg imp).
• BMW X6 M50d: Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h]: 5.3 seconds, top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph), average fuel consumption: 7.7 litres/100 kilometres (36.7 mpg imp).

North American availability of the BMW M Performance cars has not been confirmed. Expect the M Performance models to debut in Europe at the Geneva Auto Show this March.