Performance SUV customers have been spoiled for choice with a wealth of options to tempt buyers into an upgrade.

BMW hopes to pull people away from the likes of Audi's Q7, the Tesla Model X and Porsche’s next Cayenne with a limited-edition version of the current X5M and X6M SUVs.

Powered by 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8s that offer 423kW and 750Nm of performance, the new “Black Fire Edition” SUVs feature black paint, black wheels, a black grille, black window tinting and carbon-fibre mirror caps.

On the inside, black Merino leather is augmented by eye-catching flashes of red trim.

BMW says the 15 X5M Black Fire Edition cars will cost $205,900 plus on-road costs, while the 10 X6M models set to arrive locally are priced from $214,800 – around $17,000 more than a regular M-car.

The models pave the way for a host of new SUVs including new BMW X3 and X4 models, a compact X2 and full-sized seven-seat X7.

The brand is expected to unveil its fourth-generation BMW X5 next year, before it arrives locally in 2019. Set to share parts of its architecture with the latest BMW 5-Series, the new car will be lighter, smarter and safer than the outgoing car.

A high-performance X5M version is likely to share its engine with the new BMW M5 sedan, a model that combines a 441kW and 750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive.

While M5 owners will be able to deactivate the all-wheel-drive system to perform power slides on track, we doubt that option will be available to SUV owners. BMW fans are likely to have to wait until well into 2019 before the new X5M hits Australian shores.

Until then, the new X5M Black Fire Edition is on sale now.

• For all the latest info, visit our BMW showroom.