X5 ///M spy shots, info and discussion thread

[chilliwilli]

[LeMansX5]

BMW is working flat-out to prep its new X5 performance flagship – expected to debut at the Geneva motor show early in 2009 – which borrows the X6’s muscular 408bhp twin-turbo V8 for a 155mph punch. It’s a step closer to the full-blown Motorsport X5 that BMW had vowed it would never build.

While there’s nothing exactly sluggish about the current top dog X5 – the 4.8i is powered by a 355bhp 4.8-litre V8 that will rocket the BMW to 60mph in 6.5 seconds and on to 152mph – the addition of the X6’s blown 4.4-litre V8 to the range will make the X5 as quick as a Porsche Cayman S. Expect it to hit 60mph in just 5.5 seconds and be electronically reined in at 155mph. That’s pretty brisk for an thick-ankled off-roader that weighs the wrong side of two tonnes...

Hmm…I'm thinking about the fuel bills in this BMW X5

Well, with an estimated price tag nudging £60,000 it seems unlikely that most buyers will be concerned with a car that barely manages 23mpg on the combined cycle and has a CO2 posting of around 300g/km.

You’ll be able to spot it when it looms in your mirrors though – like the X6, the hottest X5 will have a revised nose housing much larger air intakes to feed the blown engine, as well as a more profiled bonnet. It will, in short, look like a right beast. Expect the suspension and brakes to undergo the necessary upgrades, too.

[cue03]

Now we are talking. Hopefully they will give this beast some specialized colors to make it even more special. I say a LeMans Blue version and the ferric rims and I am sold. But for the price of this beast, there are so many proper performance cars that you can get... including the new M3. Hell you could probably get a new M3 and a used 4 runner for "off-road". LOL

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by cue03

Now we are talking. Hopefully they will give this beast some specialized colors to make it even more special. I say a LeMans Blue version and the ferric rims and I am sold. But for the price of this beast, there are so many proper performance cars that you can get... including the new M3. Hell you could probably get a new M3 and a used 4 runner for "off-road". LOL

Expect some M colors.

[LeMansX5]

Currently sitting atop BMW’s X5 range is the 4.8is but if these latest spy shots are anything to go by there may be a new top dog in the X5 lineup - just don’t call it an M car. A performance SUV doesn’t suit the M philosophy of increased performance through reduced weight, but demand for a more powerful version of the X5 will see BMW introduce a new twin-turbo V8 model.

These latest spy shots show the car’s new front cowling, revealing much larger intakes than any previous X5 model plus a slightly revised grille.
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. We now have images of a prototype version with its engine bay completely revealed.
According to the photographer the engine featured a pair of turbochargers, which suggests this prototype is powered by BMW’s new 4.4L V8 twin-turbo engine developing maximum output of 400hp (298kW) from 5,500-6,400 rpm and 450lb-ft (600Nm) of torque between 1,800-4,500rpm.
Though no final name has been confirmed, the new SUV will probably be called the xDrive50i like the new X6 range topper. Expect similar performance with 0-60mph times of 5.3 seconds and en electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

[LeMansX5]

Anyone notice that the new pics are of FEP phase.....no cladding on the front.....the new bumper.

[CGSTL]

I'm just wondering where the price point will be. And, if the ride will be as harsh as the sports model or it will be selectable - comfort to sport.

[bmw5]

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/s...-x5-xdrive50i/

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/f...4609_13999.hbs

[cue03]

Would be interesting to see how this thing really turns out. I was thinking about looking at the Cayenne GTS. Saw a black and a red one the other day and they do look pretty sweet and sound great.


I am hoping that this upcoming X5 will outperform it fairly easily and be very close to the performance fo the ML63. I know the X6 M is the real competition to the Ml63.... but I want the X5 to be really close since I like the looks of the X5 better.

[LeMansX5]

From Autoweek:

The BMW X5 shares much of its chassis with the X6, so there's no reason why the X6 shouldn't share its 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 with the X5. In the X6, this engine is rated at 400 hp.

This prototype was spied undergoing hot-weather testing in the southwest United States. Note how BMW engineers used black mesh on the front bumper to conceal some extra cooling ducts.

We expect the twin-turbo equipped X5 to make its formal debut later this year, likely at either the Paris and Los Angeles auto shows.