Only 10 examples of this 626bhp Manhart-tuned BMW X3M will ever exist

Weird how the world works. Often we will bring you news of some preposterously tuned new SUV and wonder, quietly, just who in the world would decide to buy an 800bhp Brabus Mercedes GLE, for example.

But then German tuners Manhart come along with a reasonably tasteful and seemingly sensible upgrade for BMW’s hard-riding X3M, and then decide to only make ten of then. Yep, 10.

Welcome to the new Manhart MHX3 600. Which is a big fat lie. This doesn’t have 600 horsepower. Neine. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six has been boosted from the 503bhp you get in the X3M Competition, to 626bhp.

All of this apparently comes from some new engine computer code, and a freer-flowing stainless steel exhaust.

22-inch rims – from Alpina, oddly – are fitted under a massive 30mm ride-height chop. And then, in comes the carbon fibre fairy godmother. She’s waved her weave-wand at the mirror caps, splitter, diffuser, and steering wheel.

So we’re left with an oddly appealing tuned German SUV. The standard X3M is not Top Gear’s go-to super-4x4 – it rides like a skateboard on cobblestones, makes a rubbish noise, and, well, the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 and Jaguar F-Pace SVR exist.

But this Manhart one looks a lot more like it. Should they build more than ten?