THE BMW M TOWN TOUR AT ONYX AUTOMOTIVE
Story by Holly McAtee // Photography by Bill Sitzmann
“M” is for magnificent, marvelous, and majestic. And in the case of BMW M, the letter stands for “Motorsport,” with the subsidiary introduced in 1972 as a way to facilitate BMW’s racing program. Manufacturing evolved to include high-performance luxury vehicles for the general public, and on July 29th, ONYX Automotive hosted the BMW M Town Tour, an exclusive event that allowed auto enthusiasts to test drive models like the first-ever XM, the all-electric i4 M50, and the legendary M3 Competition, vehicles typically unavailable for test drives. And they were able to do so without an employee along for the ride.
“The event always draws a crowd of very optimistic and enthusiastic customers. They register for the event and drive as many of the tour cars as they want in an hour,” ONYX BMW Genius Julian Johnson said. “The route is about 15 minutes. Inside we have food, drinks, and complimentary mugs for the guests.” He explained that the event is highly popular because the showcased vehicles aren’t usually on display at the dealership. “It’s the rarity,” Johnson said. “The point of the tour is to get customers in vehicles they normally would never have the chance to drive.”
“Customers are always excited when they can drive an M car,” Jose Gaytan, BMW M Town Tour Manager, said. “The M cars are the pinnacle of the racing experience.”
Vince Tobia, who was also with the BMW M Town Tour, added, “The great thing about the tour is that you get the full experience on your own. Normally you must have someone ride with you when you test drive.”
The event lasted all day and went into the evening, which included a VIP party for clients and employees complete with dinner, open bar, an ice sculpture, and DJ. Drew Friesen, general manager for ONYX BMW, said, “People really saw this as an event where they could have fun behind the wheel of a car without feeling pressured to buy the car. It was nice to be at the dealership to learn what is on the horizon for BMW.”
This year’s lineup included the iX M60, XM, and an all-electric i4 M50, All of the M models are powerhouses engineered for drivers who demand the best performance from their vehicles. As the signs at the M Town Tour say, “M is the Most Powerful Letter in the World.”
THE XM
The XM is a revolutionary car, because it is BMW’s first powerful hybrid car which can switch between running on gas or on an electric powertrain, which gives it extra power on the road. It boasts a 4.4-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V-8 paired with plug-in hybrid technology and an M xDrive all-wheel drive system. The XM also has 644 horsepower and can hit 60 MPH in 4.1 seconds.
“This car is amazing,” Gaytan observed. “It is also controversial, because it weighs almost 7000 pounds, but it moves well and hugs corners when it drives. A lot of people are skeptical when they see it, but when they drive it, they immediately become fans and are convinced that it is one of the most powerful M cars yet.”
— JOSE GAYTAN
Test drivers were immediately smitten. “It is super sporty—almost scary,” observed Aun Shah, who was attending the BMW M Town Tour for the first time. “It was really fast and nimble. The interior quality was superb. If I was more courageous, I would get it.”
Steve Eckerman was similarly enthusiastic about his test drive. “The exhaust note was good,” he said. “The downshifts with the paddles were fun. It was fast!” Dave Pace finished his test drive impressed with how precisely the XM handled. “It drove really well for the size of it,” he explained. “The sound is great, and the headliner is insane.” His wife Lisa added, “It has a beautiful interior, and the handling is fabulous.” Matt Effken loved what the XM was capable of accomplishing on the road, noting, “The XM is all the power that you need and more. It’s been a very exhilarating event.” His wife Leanne agreed. “It’s a beautiful car,” she said. “Great stereo. Very impressive!”
THE i4 M50
The i4 M50 is BMW’s cutting-edge all-electric performance vehicle with an astonishing charging range of 279-307 miles. This luxurious four-door sports car has a horsepower of 396/443.
“I really liked the iconic sounds; it gives a sense of emotion to the car,” he said. “The performance was better than I expected because it’s an electric car, but when you press your foot on the gas it really goes. It rode better than I thought. I was impressed.”
— RUSSELL SINGLETON
Lisa Pace liked driving the i4 M50 best. “It was fun to drive,” she enthused. “It’s the electric version of a sports car.” Steve Eckerman added, “Great acceleration. Great handling. And it’s fast!”
THE iX M60
The instant torque with this electric car hits 0-60 in under three seconds and makes it possible to hit a range of 300 miles on a single charge. It also provides both drivers and riders with pure comfort, sumptuous luxury, and top-of-the-technology-line infotainment system.
The iX M60i electric car reminded Dave Pace of The Jetsons television show, known for its take on what the future would look like. “It’s space-agey,” he explained. “The power delivery was like pouring out syrup. It oozed out, but it was interesting.”
Aun Shah described the iX M60i as “a very comfortable, smooth ride. Nice to get in and out of. The acceleration was insane. You could feel your heart flutter.”
THE X7 M60
Similar to the XM, this vehicle has the same engine, same platform, and same chassis. The high-performance sport utility vehicle also has 523 horsepower and hits 0-65 miles in 4.5 seconds. Even with its superior power, it’s a great all-around car for a family given its third row of seats. The X7 M60 additionally gets superb gas mileage and can be taken off-roading, so it’s ideal for road trips.
If you missed the M Town Tour, it will return to ONYX next year so drivers can have the opportunity to test drive these high-performance vehicles and experience the newest ultimate driving machine and exactly why the letter M is the most powerful letter in the world.
For more information on BMW’s M Town series, visit onyxautomotive.com.
