A New Chapter of ///M - Diesel ///M
 

Supposedly a new X6 M50d

The blurry badge X6 ///M 50d

WOW! if anything, I light the facelift head and tail lights

Tri-turbo diesel engine to be featured in X6 M50d.

Finally had some time to capture frames of mp4 1080p video in slow motion..Some observations:
Power dome on hood
No side ///M gills
Sports shifter
Rear view mirrors are black
Style 300M wheels?
New LED halo headlights and taillights which are clearly visible ;)
Facelift elements- bumper, etc. on horizontal slat in bumper scoops.

BTW, that is a long badge on trunk.

Just when I thought the X5M was going to be the ultimate tow vehicle for me . . .

Will any of these changes apply to the 2013 X5 M?

Yes, some changes will apply to 2013 X5, when it arrives in August 2012.
X5M and X6M are mostly same in front of A-pillars(fenders are different) and X5M took the X6's front, just like M3 sedan has M3 coupe's front. The current X5M does not have LCI X5 headlights as it will get the LED headlights we see in the X6 video above.

Update: X6 M50d to do 0 to 62mph(100kmph) in 4.9 seconds. 381hp 700+Nm.
Production starts April 2012.
X6 and X6 M LCI press release will be much before that.

An X5 version is also in the line. Not sure yet if it will be current or next generation X5.

Thanks Palbay. Look forward to the pics.

I have been wondering about the marketing strategy for a diesel version M X5/6 vehicle.

What is the reason and who is the likely buyer?


If you want power the X5/6M is the answer. If you want some efficiency then the 35i is probably it. In between the 50i is it.

It will be cheaper than X5M and 0-60 close to X5M. And will have the handling and driving dynamics of a ///M car. X5 50i will not match the handling. M-division did not bless it ;) and not involved in design.

Well, it's definately not swaying me into even considering it as an alternative to an X5M.

I tow over some of the toughest passes (e.g., Vail Pass, topping out over 10,600 ft elev. and extended grades over 8%). Looking to upgrade to a 30' trailer, so this diesel would be ideal!

Why not?

If I had a budget approaching a $100Gs for a car, and was replacing our ol'X, I would look very hard at that diesel car. Alas, that ain't in my RetiredBum budget; certainly have the dough, but won't spend that kind of money on a 'car'. But, cool idea, imo.
GL, mD

Because I see no benefit of this car over the X5M, except, mileage, and, perhaps, cheaper price.

Better mileage and lower price seem like two substantial benefits to me.

I could understand if you happened to prefer the performance characteristics of a gas powered engine over a diesel. Otherwise, there isn't much difference. The diesel would be a very appealing choice to me personally. Those are amazing performance figures for an oil burner.

Well, here are my reasons to get an X5M:

1. I want the best handling SUV. I really doubt that the diesel version will have the same handling.

2. I am buying an X5M, so the fuel mileage is my last concern.

3. I also want the fastest SUV, and I also doubt that diesel version will match the 1/4mile of the X5M

4. The price of diesel fuel is higher than the premium where I live, so even if I did consider the mileage as an advantage then I'd have to drive a lot of miles to make a difference. But, according to my 2nd reason, I am not worried about this.

5. The price of the X5M. As I was building on the www.bmwusa.com different cars to compare the prices, the fully loaded X5 50i to my liking was approaching the price of the X5M!!! So, I thought to myself, that's ridiculous, why just then not get X5M. I have no idea on the pricing of the M diesel car, but, honestly, since I am set on the X5M, the price is irrelevant.

6. Lastly, the M diesel car is not an official M car, so it would not make it as special, for me personally, as the X5M.

Having said all that, whoever will buy the diesel M will likely be happy with the car, but it's just not for me. I will certainly respect anybody's purchase, as all of us are car enthusiasts afterall. I am not at all trying to discourage anyone from buying it, or saying anything negative about it. Just my personal preference for the X5M. :thumbup:

So, hopefully this car will sell well, and not be a disaster like the X6 hybrid. Time will tell...

Valid points. Especially wanting the absolute fastest SUV and the fact that gas mileage isn't something the average X5M owner probably really cares about.

However, unless the deisel engine is much heavier, I would think handling would be similar.

No arm-wrestle. I was just curious as to why you wouldn't consider it. I am not in the market for either of these vehicles, nor cold I afford to be, but the diesel sounds pretty impressive.

:thumbup: My kinda logic. You do not get all your money back on options when you sell the non-M car loaded to almost the M car price.

I think if someone needs the car for serious towing, the diesel could be a better option, otherwise I agree that the X5M is a better daily driver for someone who wants a fun, fast SUV type car.

:iagree:. Could not have said it any better.

I think there is some population of buyers who will choose the diesel, as it has the aura of being both high tech and eco friendly. Certain buyers will want to be the first on the block/in the office to have a tri-turbo diesel and yak on and on about the new technology. BMW sold many of the 35d's on coolness alone. These buyers will also be the first to move on to the quad turbo diesel that is coming in 2015 (2 conventional turbos, one electric, and one powered by genetically engineered German hamsters). None of this is wrong of course.

The difference between europe and the usa.
This car will be a hit in europe and makes more sense than the active hybrid or the 50i (when they have simillar price, consumption, driving capabilities).

The x5/6m is just one step away from it in terms of driving capabilities, but cant even immagine what tuners will make out of the diesel engine after it comes out.

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

:iagree:

The only real advantage of the M is that it is a few tenths faster in a straight line, so...:dunno: We are still talking about an X6 here, so no matter how fast the M is, you still can't outrun it's looks.

I'd be all over this in a X5 version. I thought about a X5M when our 4.8 lease was up but couldn't live with the mileage (~12 mpg with the 4.8) and so got a 3.5d. Our lease is up next November and a X5Md would be perfect...

Is the difference between the Europe and USA in terms of diesel fuel consumption because of the diesel's cheaper price in Europe? It is certainly not the case here in the USA.

As far as tuning, both engines are very tune-able.

Then, go for it!

And please write up your review of the car, as I am sure a lot of people would be interested to hear.

Diesel being 10% cheaper than gasoline. Especially when gasoline is around 8 USD/gallon.

They have to sell it in the US first. My 35d lease is up late next year - I'm hoping there is an X5 version and it is available. The X6 version is a no go for me. With our stable of cars, we need one with real seating and cargo capacity. Also the X6 just looks awkward to me.

I doubt BMW will go through effort of releasing this engine in a X5 which is nearing its end of model tenure. The third generation X5 is around 18-20 months away. X6 version will hit the market by spring 2012, when the last model year of E70 X5 will be out. We have not even heard of X5 version yet. It will most probably be the 3rd gen X5.

According to this website Daily Fuel Gauge Report--national, state and local average prices for gasoline, diesel and E-85. the current national average price of diesel is almost 40 cents more per gallon than premium gas.

Premium is $3.48 and diesel is $3.84. Without trying to figure out the exact % difference the diesel is roughly 10% more expensive than premium.

While I agree that X5M is a fuel guzzler (though no gas guzzler tax!:thumbup:), I am doubtful that the M diesel with 380hp is going to be a fuel miser and will certainly consume more diesel fuel than the 35d.

All this brings me back to the question of what is the niche for this vehicle?
Is it the fuel conscious driver? If so, then this vehicle is not exactly an answer. With diesel being more expensive in the US and this M diesel car probably not getting a great mileage, then who did BMW marketing group ask or poll for the need of this vehicle?

Thinking out loud on the logic of this creation... :dunno:

My guess is this is more for Europe and rest of world than US. BMW also has a M5 version with same engine in process, so they must have done some homework.

I think about 70% of all BMWs in Europe are diesels.
Gasoline just does not make sense here, but I understand why you in the USA would not consider it.
Starting price of X5M in my country is 217.000 USD and premium is 8$/gallon.

Two hundred seventeen thousand US dollars? :wow:

That is a ridiculous price for that car. No wonder nobody is buying it there then. I certainly wouldn't justify that kind of price either.

For this amount you can buy a Ferrari, or some very, very fancy, exotic car.

New spy shots from member Palbay for BMWblog
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...x6_M50d_03.jpg
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...x6_M50d_05.jpg
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...x6_M50d_04.jpg
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...x6_M50d_01.jpg
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...x6_M50d_02.jpg

It looks like it is squinting! I think it is a 'like' though. Also like the power dome on the hood.

Oh great! LOL... now our cars will look infamously as pretentious and snobby as some of our BMW owners' reputations.

So, are those the "laser" headlights that the 2013 X5M will be getting?

I like it. :thumbup:

The lights are LED and look similar to the new 6er Gran Coupe and work as shown in pics below. The next gen X5/X6 may get laser lights.

From BMW, on 6er Gran Coupe:
The headlights are twin round xenon with three-dimensional daytime running light rings. Adaptive LED headlights are optional.

The LED lights feature bright white, three-dimensional LED light rings for the parking lights and daytime running lights, which are levelled off at the lower edge and overlapped at their top edge by an accent light – also featuring LEDs. The result is a new interpretation of the intent look familiar from other BMW models which is clearly visible both during the day and in darkness. Low and high beam are both generated from the two light rings, accentuating the brand’s hallmark twin round headlight look whatever the light conditions. The source of the light is LED units positioned on a horizontal LED rib in the centre of the units, which disperse their light into the reflectors in front of them. The three-dimensional design of the light units – transparent extensions for the light rings allow light to flood through them – provide an impressive showcase for the LED technology when viewed from the side. LED units also serve the direction indicators positioned under the light rings.

Those are some serious headlights!:D

The LED/laser headlights, color HUD... I'm still waiting for my 2012 X5 to show up, but want the next generation X5 already... It seems that the cars are "aging" faster these days with such rapid progress in technology.