Ladies and gentleman, I introduce to you the BMW X6 M – also known as Jekyll and Hyde! Last year, we tested the X6 xDrive50i in Germany, when we drove it from Munich to the Nurburgring, and were impressed with how well the vehicle acquitted itself on the Autobahn, as well as on the back roads of the country.

However, on that trip, we also had an M3 in our entourage, and though the X6 was great in its own right, it didn’t have the muscle and finesse of the M3. Well, all that has now changed – since the boffins at BMW’s M division have poured their secret sauce into the X6 to turn it into a vehicle with a distinct split personality.

The X6 M can cruise around in traffic doing chores all day, or, with the press of the discreet M button on the steering wheel, become a fire breathing monster that puts out 550 horsepower and eats Porsches’ and other exotica for breakfast. In fact, the X6 M is quicker around the Nürburgring Nordschleife than the last-generation M3 – need we say more!

Although the trickery is hidden under the skin, there are subtle cues on the outside that separate the X6 M from its lesser brethren. It has the same gaping front grills and fenders as the regular X6, however, it gets M specific 20-inch wheels – fitted with massive 275/40 R20 rubber at the front, and monstrous 315/35 R20 run-flat tires at the rear. Four M-characteristic tailpipes emerge from the aerodynamic diffuser at the back – hinting at the intense firepower under-hood.

With its distinctive sloping roof, people have mixed views about the looks of the X6 – it’s certainly polarizing, and people either love it or hate it. There’s no denying, however, that it has a decidedly imposing stance. Our test car was bright red, and never failed to get a second look from passing traffic – not to mention the California Highway Patrol. In fact, I think I did very well not to get a speeding ticket in the one week that I drove the X6 M around Northern California!

When you hit the M-button on the steering wheel, which activates M dynamic mode, the car immediately sounds louder, and it feels like someone’s cracked a whip on all 550 horses. Although traction control is standard, the M Dynamic Mode (MDM) greatly reduces the aggressiveness of the system. The MDM setting allows the driver to enter a controlled drift, and push the vehicles handling to its limits. There’s also a DSC-Off Mode for drivers seeking a more purist experience.

The X6 M has incredible amounts of grip, and you really need to be on a track to be able to explore the handling limits of this incredible machine. On the tight, twisty roads in the hills of Northern California, I was impressed with how pure the steering felt. The X6 M features BMW M-Servotronic steering system that delivers the right amount of power assistance for every driving situation. The power assist progressively decreases when the vehicle speeds up – ensuring greater stability and improved precision at the wheel. At high speed, the car belies its weight and massive size – and, with its strong brakes, really delivers a complete high performance package. It’s only at low speeds, and in parking lot situations, that you realize that this is actually quite a big vehicle, which requires some planning before you slot it into a parking spot.

Though this is a remarkable vehicle, all that power does come at the cost of a massive fuel bill – I averaged 6 kilometers per liter, which involved a mix of highway cruising, as well as some spirited driving in the hills. But, for all the tremendous fun you can have in the X6 M, that’s a small price to pay. The problem arises, however, when you consider the actual sticker price of the car, 1.3 crores, which is more in line with a home for four, rather than a passenger vehicle that seats the same number.