Currently sitting atop BMW’s X5 range is the 4.8is but recent news from the boss of BMW’s M division, Ludwig Willisch, has confirmed that performance variants of both the X5 and X6 SUVs are in development. A performance SUV doesn’t really fit in with the M philosophy of increased performance through reduced weight but the allure of the two-ton sports market could be too strong even for BMW and its famed M division to resist. These newest photos reveal the car even more clearly than previous shots, showing an aggressive but restrained design and classic X5 styling.
After witnessing Porsche and AMG rack up thousands of sales with their respective Cayenne and ML models, BMW is now primed to launch its own high-performance version of the X5 SUV. Previous images of a prototype version being offloaded in Germany showed the car close-up, but these new photos, courtesy of PalBay in upstate South Carolina, show the entire vehicle, giving perspective as to the changes and similarities to the standard X5. Snapped at BMW's test track, the new photos show that the images from late last year depict a nearly identical vehicle, though the placement of the exhaust tips appears to have changed in the newest photos.
The test-mule spotted in Germany last year was sporting a pair of quad exhaust pipes, which were the first details to suggest a new high-displacement model. Other details revealing a new powertrain being developed included a warning message spotted inside the car to remind drivers that running the engine for longer than 30 minutes will cause it to go ‘kaput’.
There are two schools of thought on which engine will power the new car. Some suggest the 5.0L V10 from the M5 could make its way into the X5 but officials have previously stated that engine would be reserved for the M5 and M6 only. The alternative is a variant of the 400hp-plus twin-turbo 4.4L petrol V8 engine found in the X6 crossover, though with the recent shakeup in global oil prices, the 4.4L V8 unit is looking like the more likely candidate.
BMW X5 M spy shots August 2008
BMW X5 spy shots October 2007
Reader Comments
Tue Aug 26 2008 8:34 AM
mlevere1992 says
I would rather see them come out with the hybrid version before the high performance version.
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