MOTORING may be heading towards a greener future, but - for the time being at least -there's still room for gas-guzzling monsters with brutal performance.

Enter the latest high-performance versions of the BMW X5 and X6, engineered by the German maker's M Sports division and, in new third generation form, more brutish than ever before.

With a 4.4 litre, twin-turbo, V8 engine pumping out 625hp - 50hp more than before - the new X5 and X6 M Competition SUVs will, at best, supp a gallon of petrol every 22.6 miles, according to official combined driving figures, and pump out a minimum of 289 grams of CO2 emissions every kilometre.

But they're not the figures buyers will be looking at - they'll be focussed on breathtaking acceleration from standstill to 60mph of less than 3.8 seconds - almost half a second faster than the previous model - and a top speed of 155mph which can be boosted to 180mph with the optional driver's package.

In the seemingly ceaseless battle with rival prestige car makers - notably Mercedes-Benz - to produce the ultimate sporting, luxury SUV, BMW claims that these latest M models offer performance above that of any rival.

Priced at £110,610 for the X5 and £113,310 for the X6, the M Competition models won't be available until April next year at the earliest but BMW dealers will happily take orders now.

At those prices you'd expect a lot of car for your money and you won't be disappointed. An eight speed Steptronic transmission, all-wheel-drive, active differential, adaptive suspension with electronically controlled dampers and dynamic stability control all feature on the mechanical menu along with three selectable driving modes - road, sport and track - while the interior comes with exclusive leather upholstery and a digital cockpit with head-up display.