An M version of the next BMW X5 is highly likely...
 

Guys, check this out!!! M X5?!?!? :confused:

http://wheels.carpoint.ninemsn.com.a...Alias=wheelsau

I'm sure it is on the table, whether it will be built or not remains to be seen.

BMW are playing with ideas all the time. So do the M GmbH.
But Business case phase is the crucial point.

The E53 M prototype has also been produced: general public has seen it modified as X5 LeMans Concept. But as you know it never get into production.

The same case was with e.g. E39 5er Touring & M8 Coupe - just to name two.

I doubt the BMW Board of Management will give X5 M a green light. To make a X5 worthy of M badge it would be required to use very strong & expensive lightweight construction materials which would provide extreme torsional stiffness & much lower centre of gravity. Development would be too costly and the car would cost too much, or at lower price the profit margin would be thin.

Instead of M a much more powerful "Si" or even "Sii" variant is much more possible - with an uptuned V8 turbo engine (450+hp).

But maybe the lightweight technology will be more affordable in the coming years, so ... who knows. Maybe the X5 M will pass the business case & the prototype will be worthy to wear the M badge. Btw, M engineers are having a lot of problems with E61 M5 Touring rear suspension - they had to develop a brand new lightweight solution, and the project is now become very costly. Now imagine the problems with X5.

We shall see what the future will bring ...

Makes sense. IMO, it seems more logical to perhaps offer an E70 Sport version--like the 330ci with the short throw shifter, larger wheels, skirts, an M steering wheel, etc.

I agree with Scott.

BMW is very strict with what it allows to be an 'M' car. An SAV can never truly be an 'M' car in BMW's eyes.

We'll get another iS. Which is essentially a de-tuned 'M' or an 'M' in disguise.

There is a "M" version of the current X5. It's just not called the "M" version, it's called the 4.8is. :)

The 4.8is is more of a de-tuned 'M'. The true 'M' X5 would have been the V12 lemans concept as scott stated above...

Given the state of the world, do you think that BMW, a company who has built a hydrogen fuel 740i, would put their resources into an X5 with a V-12? Would it be neat and fast? Sure, but would they break even on it?

If they continue with the "is" theme, would that mean there could be a 5.0is or a 6.0is? That badging would take a bit of getting used to.

But if,,,, imagine what a beast it will be. hp450+ or even more, "get out of my way!!!"

Wagner posted a blurb out out Wikipedia (which has been surprising current on car information) about possible 5.0i and 5.4is E70 models:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...highlight=5.0i

Speculation, but interesting nonetheless.