2020 BMW X3 M Competition answers a question no one is asking

BMW is engineers were so preoccupied with whether they could cram the soul of an mp3 into a compact SUV that they didn't stop to think whether they should. Okay maybe it was the marketing guys but either way. Here we are with the 2020 BMW X three m competition, a vehicle that promises to do exactly that. So grab shock ellamy and we'll see how well it delivers and what competition means when you're dealing with a vehicle that shaped like that. [SOUND] [MUSIC] Now it's separates the X-3-M from a regular X-3 is a three liter twin power in line six turbocharged engine, making 400 173 horsepower 442 pound feet of torque. However the competition that we're in right now bump that first number up to 503 horsepower, which it puts through a standard eight speed automatic transmission and an M tuned version of BMW's x drive all wheel drive system with a rear bias but no rear wheel drive mode like the M5 [BLANK_AUDIO] The other 60 happens in a flat four seconds with a top speed of 155 miles per hour or 177 miles per hour if you ask real nicely to have that electronic limiter lifted. Now in the handling department we're looking at an M tuned chassis that stiffened up all around and in the depth Active Suspension with dynamic dampers that go from comfort to sport to Sport Plus with the touch of a button. In this case those buttons are the M1 and M2 preset buttons that are right here on the steering wheel that allow you to toggle between two user presets with the touch of your thumb. I've got him one set to all sports I've got him to set the Sport Plus across the board, which is right requires two presses to activate. The rest of the chassis upgrades include Intune diversion of the traction and stability control systems. Big 21 inch wheels with summer tires. And into compound breaks that have crossed drilled rotors and shiny blue calipers. Now the really aggressive front end is not just a styling upgrade, it's actually one of many aerodynamic tweaks [UNKNOWN] to this chassis unique to the competition model, and perhaps some of my favorite upgrades are these M sport seats that are 14 way adjustable with power bolsters and these light up M badges that shine at night. They're really cool looking. [SOUND] That's all good and well, but I keep asking myself, what is the point of a competition spec compact SUV I guess on some level this vehicle compromises between a family that only wants one vehicle that's both the family SUV during the weekend a sports car for the weekend. But in pushing so far in both directions, it's. It's filled with all kind of you guessed it, compromises. For example, even in its comfort mode the suspension is punishingly stiff. I mean tooth filling rattling stiff. Like I wouldn't wanna ride my family around in this. This thing and because it's an SUV with a big open cabin as opposed to a sedan or a coupe, you get this really big booming sound over washboard surfaces and rough roads that really just makes it louder than it should be when you should just be enjoying that M Sport exhaust with all the pops and verbals when you lift and shift. [BLANK_AUDIO] Then again, if you live in an area with glass smooth highways and well maintained back roads, that may not be a problem for you. And if you can afford this price tag, chances are you might. [BLANK_AUDIO] Then again, when you put this thing into its sport and sport plus modes it just becomes a very fun car to drive. It's got surprisingly good handling for a tallish SUV. And as you can guess from those engine specs, the acceleration is fantastic. Shifts from the transmission are fast, and It's just a fun car to Chuck around the corner. In competition spec this thing would probably be comfortable on a racetrack and our editor in chief Tim Stevens did just that. The Be sure to check out our first drive over on the road show calm for details about that vehicle. However, is a daily driver. I kind of think this vehicle is an answer to a question that nobody's really asking me lift, nobody that I know. But on the other hand, the ridiculousness of a vehicle that looks like this. That sprint Jukes and stops like this one does, while being shaped like a compact SUV. It is just crazy enough that maybe the question I should be asking is not why but why the hell not? The 2020 BMW X three m starts at 69,900 bucks but to get the competition spec here, you're looking at 76,900 to start We've got no options because it's pretty well equipped as it but you might want to look at a $1700 driver eight sweet to make your commute just a little more comfortable as is we're looking at around $20,000 more than the base x 3 at the top end of that spectrum but you're getting a hell of a lot of performance for that price. When you need it or not. [MUSIC] [BLANK_AUDIO]