Modern-day BMW design is, erm, controversial to say the least. And we bet the X5 and X6 Black Vermilion Editions will do precisely nothing to change that. 

On the face of it the Black Vermilion Editions are little more than matte-black versions of BMW’s popular X5 and X6 SUVs, with black 22-inch wheels, black trim, black interiors and a load of normally optional kit thrown in as standard. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary to report. 

But there’s one particular modification that will have as many of you nodding with considered approval as recoiling in horror. And it’s to do with the grille. You’ll have spotted it already – BMW has painted the strakes bright red, so the grille stands out in stark contrast against the rest of the car. The X6’s grille is even illuminated – not in red, we don’t think. 

BMW will build 50 of these things for the UK and Ireland, with the first deliveries expected in September. It’s also doing five black-on-black-on-black X7 Frozen Black Editions which, curiously, do without the red-painted grille. Plainly the X7 is obnoxious enough without it.