I Spy A BMW X5 M

Copyright by Lehmann Photo Syndication / Spied: BMW X5 M

SAV seen on Munich streets

By Zack Newmark
October 18, 2007 4:00 PM
Filed Under: BMW, German, Spy Photos

Spotted on the streets of Munich earlier today, the BMW X5 M is edging even closer to reality.  The M-badged Sport Activity Vehicle is expected to get the 438 horsepower 6.0 litre V12 engine currently found on the 7-series sedan.

If this huge engine sounds a little absurd, you would be surprised to find out it is not unheard of.  The 2000 BMW X5 Le Mans, an experimental vehicle, got 750 bhp from the same 6.0 litre V12 found on BMW's 1999 Le Mans winner.  German race car driver Hans Stuck took this behemoth around the Nurburgring in 7 minutes, 49.92 seconds.

Unfortunately, with the X5's current weight at just under 5,000 lbs., the .088 power-to-weight ratio with this massive engine would still be less than that of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo (.096).  To match that, the X5 M would have to shed over 400 lbs.

Still, for SAVs, the X5 M is pretty interesting, with larger air intakes, bigger bumpers, quad-exhaust, and new alloy wheels.  Expect the interior of this car to get similar refinements as other M-badged BMWs.  First seen as a prototype touring Death Valley this past July, expect the BMW X5 M to hit dealerships in 2008.

Source: Lehmann Photo-Syndication

Comments

Rolli
October 18, 2007 4:21 PM
I like the car more, everytime I see it.

autoque
October 18, 2007 10:10 PM
Are you sure they are gonna badge M on this X5. Because that might mean X5's gonna be offered only with manual transmission, as they do to all M series. Maybe more like BMW X5 6.0 or something.

silversedanman
October 19, 2007 3:43 AM
Very nice car. I would rather have the new Q7 v12 TDI with 500Hp though.

Thamz
October 20, 2007 11:35 AM
BMW have said time and time again that they cannot badge an SUV an "M" car because its dynamics are just not worthy of that badge...yet. So this thing will probably use the new 4.8 twin-turbo engine which will produce around 390kW (522HP). It will have the normal IS badging, NOT M

Marcin
October 21, 2007 2:41 PM
The X5M is a fact and it will have the M5 V10. A relative of mine lives in Munich and knows someone who actually drives the prototypes. I knew the X6 was coming long before any articles where spread...

Ferrariguy
October 22, 2007 5:38 AM
another reason why M stands for "marketing."

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