VIDEO: BMW drives the X5 M
by Damon Lavrinc on Dec 22nd 2008 at 6:28PM 
Click above to view the teaser video of the BMW X5 M after the jump
After countless spy shots and rumors, BMW has finally admitted that an M version of its X5 SAV is on the way. The proof of concept comes in the form of a video released on the automaker's bmw-web.tv site, and not surprisingly, the clip doesn't divulge much about the M-modified 'ute. Bernd Limmer, an exec at BMW M GmbH, discusses the essence of "M-ness" that BMW infuses into all of its Motorsports models, goes into detail about how the different systems interact with each other and then hits the Nurburgring to show off the X5 M's prowess on the Nordschleife. There's still no word on when the BMW X5 M will make it's debut, but considering that the original X5 debuted at the Detroit Auto Show almost a decade ago, the Bimmer boys could have something up their sleeve for the festivities in Motown. Hit the jump to see the video.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3seriesisking 6:42PM (12/22/2008)
Things just keep getting worse...I mean I'm sure it'll be awesome and fun to drive but this is not what the M division was started for BMW!
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2004m3driver 6:44PM (12/22/2008)
Must be a really large market for fast land barges. Next thing you know Peterbilt will have a F, M, AMG, RS or R version of its semitruck.
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Orubasarot 6:54PM (12/22/2008)
Useless, utterly uninteresting, not even worth making blog posts about. Delete all records of this trash.
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Orubasarot 6:59PM (12/22/2008)
This is the automotive equivalent of being comatose, and I hope somebody pulls the plug on it. I'd rather have a goddamn Miata than an M/RS/AMG/911 SUV.
Neither sports, nor utility, but a hell of a lot of vehicle.
ajmalzx 7:10PM (12/22/2008)
This suv is not entirely pointless, i can see it'll hugely entertaining on highways and sand dunes. But it makes me wonder, why not the X6? Isnt the point of the X6 is to be the best handling suv ever? This X5M will make the X6 more
Pointless than it'll already is. The classic case of BMW shooting itself in the foot.
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Michael 7:36PM (12/22/2008)
Perfect for the zombie apocalypse. Put machine guns on it, raise the suspension, and put beefier tires on it. Also, armor plating.
It's just like the M5, right? V10 + SMG?
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Noah 7:54PM (12/22/2008)
You guys are nuts. I'd put one of these in my garage anyday. There are people who have legitimate uses for SUV's besides to be intimidating on the road. And for those people with performance tastes, a performance version makes sense.
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IK 3:32AM (12/23/2008)
true, but that's not what ///M is for
BMWdownshift 7:58PM (12/22/2008)
There isn't a single moment in this video entailing that this is a M version of the X5.
This is just a top model X5
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3seriesisking 9:48PM (12/22/2008)
I was thinking along those lines as well. Let's just hope your right.
mkM3 11:51PM (12/22/2008)
Well, unless you count the part at 19 seconds in that says "BMW X5 M: Product Testing".
P.V. 8:01PM (12/22/2008)
Hey BMW, I've got an idea:
Instead of making useless, heavy CUVs with gobs of horsepower coming from a giant engine, why don't you make useless (in terms of cargo space), light coupes/small sedans with gobs of horsepower and torque coming from a SMALL engine and amazing handling packaged in? That's really a novel idea, isn't it?
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Other Man 8:05PM (12/22/2008)
Much more important than either the X5 M or X6 M:
These almost certainly will have automatics ... does this open the door for an M7?
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Andrew 8:06PM (12/22/2008)
It's got the rear roofline of the X6. X6 M would make a lot more sense too, as that was supposed to the the performance one.
No wait, it would be X6 Xdrive50 M, right? This performance SUV thing has gotten a little strange, but you can't blame BMW for getting in on the action. And I do have a strange desire for a Cayenne GTS manual. I say, make whatever there's a market for, in order to fund the "real" sports cars. The next Z4 and maybe a return of the Z8 one day, will require a big profitable parent company. Everyone who hates the Cayenne needs to remember there would be no Cayman without it.
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JF 8:33PM (12/22/2008)
X6 = pointless. Less utility than a 5-series wagon, less rear headroom, less aerodynamic, heavier, and higher c.g.
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Orubasarot 8:38PM (12/22/2008)
M RS AMG whatever, it's not an SUV, it's a minivan.
When I see these things I see minivans, pleated pants, grandmas, etc. If you drive these things you are not intimidating or impressive, you're invisible and boring.
There is absolutely no "luxury" or "sporty" SUV that will ever make me turn my head, I dont care if it's that Lamborghini abomination, or some Veyron trainwreck. They're awful cars for horrible people, regardless of performance numbers.
If you want an SUV then move your ass out of the suburbs and buy a Land Cruiser. If you want a sports car then get a sports car, but don't expect anyone to comprehend your awkward attempts at overtaking in your BMW Mercedes Porsche Sienna Odyssey Voyager.
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JD 8:55PM (12/22/2008)
I say kill the X6 and replace it with this X5M.
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Auari 10:55PM (12/22/2008)
I completely disagree. X6 M would be way cooler and sell about 5 times more unites
TexRob 10:28PM (12/22/2008)
I am very surprised if this is true. They have always said they would never make an M SAV, that the most you would ever see is an M-sport package. They also always said you'd never see a V8 in an M3, and they only believed in naturally aspirated engines...
I love BMW, I drive a 335i sedan, and my wife an X3 (which I'd much rather see a performance model of than the X5, her car handles amazingly already). All that said, I like when people stick to their guns. Market force has caused them to abandon their ideals somewhat I guess.
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CarbonBlack 3:30AM (12/23/2008)
That is a sexy/aerodynamic front bumper! ;-)
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