Aptera: It's Baaaaaaaaack! (We'll Believe It When...

Preview: 2010 BMW X5 M

 
14 36,534 views Jul 29, 2008
Follow Viknesh

bmw x5m

Preview: 2010 BMW X5 M

Preview: 2010 BMW X5 M

Enlarge Photo
The boss of BMW’s M division, Ludwig Willisch, has confirmed that performance variants of both the X5 and X6 SUVs are in development, and earlier today we saw a rendering of the X6 version along with several spy shots of prototypes at the Nurburging. Now we have a rendering of the X5 version, which is set to join the X6 M next year as a 2010 model.

The new rendering shows a completely revised front-end design for the X5 M, with an aggressively styled front bumper, much larger intakes and new side ports. Attached wheel-arch extenders previewed in this rendering suggest the vehicle could also feature a widened track.

A number of prototypes have also been spotted, including a few with the engine bay revealed. Onlookers claim the test vehicles featured V8 engines with twin-turbochargers attached. This suggests that power will be supplied by BMW’s new 4.4L V8 twin-turbo engine, but with output tuned higher than the current 400hp (298kW) and 450lb-ft (600Nm).

BMW X5 M rendering

BMW X5 M spy shots June 08

BMW X5 M spy shots May 08
BMW X5 M rendering
BMW X5 Twin Turbo spy shots
BMW X5 xDrive50i twin-turbo spy shots

HI-RES GALLERY: bmw x5m

HI-RES GALLERY: 2009 bmw x5 twin turbo spy shots 001

HI-RES GALLERY: bmw x5 v8 turbo spy motorauthority 001




Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (14)

  1. By Gus Posted: 6/11/2008 7:07pm PDT

    May parents have an X5 4.4i V8. An amazing vehicle, to be sure. 85 feels like 45.

    But it can't tow squat, and take it off road and it bangs every small rock from here to the moon.

    My mom complains that it has less space behind the back seat than the old S-class Mercedes she replaced it with. And there is no third row, and put a child seat in the middle of the second row and people back there are squished.

    Not only that, but in order to give it the handling capability it has, it rides harder than my Mustang GT.

    So what, exactly, is the point of these moronic machines???
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By Moderator Posted: 6/11/2008 8:20pm PDT

    You sould give the new X5 E70 a chance. They resolved all the problems of its predecessor and improved substantially. And let's not forget, BMW X5 is a driving machine. If you must have the best towing capacity and interior roominess in the class, there are lots of other choices, albeit with less driving dynamics. But the new X5 E70 is an excellent balance of both practicality and handling.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. By Gus Posted: 6/11/2008 10:44pm PDT

    Fine and good, I'm sure it's an excellent SUV, but why not buy a car if you're after driving quality and performance?
    I've just never understood these compromises in handling and fuel economy in order to be cooler than the guy driving a wagon (or kombi as they're called in Europe)?
    Now that gas is triple what it was 5 years ago, people may reconsider these vehicles, which are niether good trucks, nor good cars.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By Roman Posted: 6/11/2008 11:12pm PDT

    a little late showing up to the party bmw,you are just now coming out with a high performance version to compete, you gotta be kidding me.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. By Ivan Posted: 6/12/2008 4:42pm PDT

    Gus, some people just like to sit higher then the rest of the cars on the road & at the same time have handling of sedan. That's what x5 is . But now they have X6 for that purpose.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. By james Posted: 6/27/2008 10:39am PDT

    that air intake is very cool - looks like an "X5M" if you catch my drift. i think it's an improvement over the previous model
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  7. By NoNameDenton Posted: 7/29/2008 7:24pm PDT

    How about shedding some weight on the vehicles? (Even though I drive a truck I am not fond of performance SUVS). The vehicles are over-weight, and continue to get bigger and heavier.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  8. By justin Posted: 7/29/2008 10:28pm PDT

    The Ultimate Gas-Guzzling Machine
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  9. By Ayax Posted: 7/29/2008 10:51pm PDT

    An M variant for the X6 makes more sense than an X5 M, but oh well, its a niche group and I'm sure it will get buyers, that render is horrendous though.. hehe
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  10. By Gus Posted: 7/30/2008 12:01am PDT

    That is true, it will sell. Just look at all the Porsche Cayenne's running around.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  11. By Dandan Posted: 7/30/2008 11:46am PDT

    that rendering is so bad it looks like an X3
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  12. By christian Posted: 7/30/2008 2:20pm PDT

    yeah i agree with dandan the rendering is really bad, and it does look like an x3 which is a bad thing.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  13. By NaBUru38 Posted: 7/31/2008 4:47pm PDT

    I totally agree with NoNameDenton. Since these versions have a substantial price premium, adding kightweight pieces will makes this soft-roaders way more agile.

    "[It's been] confirmed that performance variants of both the X5 and X6 SUVs are in development," MotAuth, is it confirmed that they will carry the Motorsport badge?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  14. By Rayaan Posted: 8/6/2008 5:41am PDT

    OMG that thing is seriously ugly. What happened to the grill. Makes it look like its dropped its jaw.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.