BMW has consistently argued that a vehicle like the X5 is not fitting with the whole 'M' philosophy of increased performance through reduced weight but despite this spy-photographers have recently come across a new X5 prototype rolling around the streets of Munich with some very distinct M styling cues. The test-mule was seen sporting a new front bumper with much larger intakes than usual, while the back of the car was adorned with a quad-tailpipe arrangement sitting lower than the usual V8 models. A further clue to this mule being a high-performance version was the sound of the engine. The photographer claimed it sounded very different to any of the X5's current powerplants, suggesting that it could be a new V10 version or possibly a twin-turbo V8 set-up. The final giveaway is the prototype's performance tires, signalling that we may have a new M car on the way.
We can picture the purists around the world shedding a tear at the thought of BMW adding an M badge to an SUV but if Porsche can get away with selling a sports off-roader, and AMG can pump up the Mercedes M-Class than we suppose BMW could too.
[Source: World Car Fans]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG @ Aug 31st 2007 6:03PM
This is gonna be one hell of a dynamic SUV.
j-dawg @ Aug 31st 2007 6:11PM
Big intakes? Quad exhausts? Sounds like a turbo to me.
How are they going to name this? I think Mazda has a little M X5 of its own.
Brandon @ Aug 31st 2007 6:13PM
Uh, probably X5 M... like the Z4 M (coupe and roadster)
Berry Zito @ Aug 31st 2007 6:30PM
Ummmm...they won't call it an M. Just like they never called the previously souped up versions an M.
When did quad exhaust equal turbo?
KazO @ Aug 31st 2007 6:37PM
On the E53, both the 4.6is and 4.8is got 4 pipes, so that doesn't mean anything. I say it's more likely it'll be another si model, maybe with the blown motor out of the Alpina B7, since that's already US-legal, and the E53 is' also had Alpina-built mills.
IF it turns out to be a M, it'll be the final blow to BMW's insistence that it's ///Motorsport, not ///Marketing.
The X5 M SAV? Yuk.
Kevin @ Aug 31st 2007 6:38PM
Hmm.. M-X5. What a catchy name. Seems like I've heard that somewhere before...
Dino @ Aug 31st 2007 7:50PM
Hey, I've got an idea, lets have another 20 people make a comment about the Mazda MX5.
PGAero @ Aug 31st 2007 8:01PM
I'm with Kaz and Barry on this. It'll be the new X.Xis X5; that's my guess.
Oh, and my car has one tail pipe and a not-so-large intake... but it's a turbo. Turbo or not, easy-breathing engines can benefit from large intake and exhaust.
~P
jg @ Aug 31st 2007 8:03PM
I only bring this up because it hasn't been mentioned yet, M X5 is not original. It's currently used by Mazda.
KazO @ Aug 31st 2007 8:42PM
Oops, on the E53, the 'regular' 4.4i got quad pipes. is' got dual ovals. I believe on the E70, the 4.8i has 'ovals.'
sw @ Aug 31st 2007 10:48PM
I'm curious if it'll be a proper off roader or just a poser mobile for people to get stuck in getting out of their driveway.
It doesn't matter so much in the southern climates but those of us up north where the lake effect can make being on road seem extremely off roadish would never buy a garbage suv from a company that makes some fairly decent cars.
Carletti @ Aug 31st 2007 10:57PM
It makes a lot of sense for BMW to also make a senseless track-force SUV. But they do have a little problem...if it's between an M version X5 and a Cayenne S, 9 out of 10 car lovers/car amateurs would purchase the Cayenne. I think BMW realizes that. So the sporting X5 needs to be different from the AMG's and Porsche S', in some way, for it to make an "M"-worthy statement.
micky @ Sep 1st 2007 3:27AM
wow, looks adsactly the same as the old X5