It tells you something about the Middle East’s appetite for BMWs when AC Schnitzer decides to launch one of its products in Dubai instead of the Geneva motor show. The Aachen-based tuner unveiled the X6M AC Schnitzer at the AutomodEx tuning show last month. Admittedly, some of the glamour was missing as the cover was taken off the souped-up X6 under a tent full of generously modified Honda Civics, whose bodywork looked like it came out of a DIY kit.

CEO Rainer Vogel managed to keep a poker face. He had to. Stathis I. Stathis, General Manager of UAE BMW showroom AGMC was there to jointly announce the dealer’s new partnership with AC Schnitzer. AGMC will now be the exclusive supplier of the famed tuner’s body and performance kits as well as complete cars in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

Vogel wasn’t keen on giving many details on his X6M, only smiling and confirming that it’ll be faster, more powerful and will be able to corner at higher speeds. He also insisted it’ll be more fun to drive and is faster than the factory X6M around the Nurburgring, where AC Schnitzer’s engineers have already tested it. The tuned car is also lower, produces more downforce and uses lightweight forged wheels, reducing unsprung mass, so those modifications aren’t just done for visual effect. A new weave of carbon fibre is used copiously outside and the bonnet features a small glass engine cover.

Make your own mind up about the styling, we’ll reserve judgement until we drive it. Vogel though, seems confident in his car. ‘We’re not known for not delivering,’ he says.