Spy Shots: BMW X5 ‘M’ hits the Nurburgring - Watch out Cayenne Turbo

Probably more apt to be the called the X5 5.5is or something, but I just don't see an M version of the X5.

Now the X6... Maybe.

I was thinking the same thing when I read it. I will be in line to get an X6 when it comes out! I just hope they dont over price it

I'm buying an X6 when they come out :)

man this is going to be really nice cant wait till they test the both of them

personally I wish BMW would make an M version of every vehicle like AMG does, that would help give them some of the high end cachet Mercedes enjoys. People buy ML63's (and Cayenne Turbo's), S63 and 65's (and S8's), etc. If people are looking for that kind of power and drive, which is what BMW is best known for anyway, I'm sure they'd also buy an X5 or X6 M, M7, etc. Why BMW sits back and lets other manufacturers own the high end market of vehicles that have basically been designed to drive more like BMW's is beyond me. And if they still won't build M versions then let Alpina make (and import to the U.S.) B models for everything BMW won't make an M for. Unfortunately they probably won't do either.

hopefully if they won't make M versions of those vehicles they'll at least offer engine options that put them in the range of those other vehicles. A 450hp twin turbo V8 for the X5 and X6 and a 600hp V12 for the 7-series might not be called M's, but I am pretty sure they'd sell every one they made.

Frankly I'd much rather see the development of highly fuel efficient diesels for every single vehicle line that BMW sells.

And not to sound like a broken record, but these horse-power wars are seriously irresponsible/counter-productive when oil is rapidly approaching $100 a barrel.

"personally I wish BMW would make an M version of every vehicle like AMG does, that would help give them some of the high end cachet Mercedes enjoys."

You don't think BMW is as prestigious as Mercedes? Well... maybe not QUITE, but it's close. They don't need 20 $150K cars to be special. That's the thing- at BMW, less is usually more.

I think M versions of every model would dilute the M division. The S8 is there as a faster A8, and it's gorgeous, and doesn't "dilute" quattro GmbH at all--but like M, they focus more on smaller, sportier models such as the RS4 and M3. That's what they both do best.

"personally I wish BMW would make an M version of every vehicle like AMG does, that would help give them some of the high end cachet Mercedes enjoys."

Rubbish. It would be a smack in the face for Motorsport GmbH. They INVENTED the segment of high-performance sport saloons.. making an M version of a big and heavy X5 would be ridiculous. Besides the M-division only makes high-revving (almost) race engines.. an engine that wouldn't fit the character of an SUV.

it might be a "smack in the face" to M but business is business. Porsche sells all the Cayenne Turbo's they make, same wth Mercedes and the ML63, S63, S65, Audi and the S8, etc. They're building ultrapowerful cars that drive less like "regular" Benz's and Audi's and more like BMW's, while BMW themselves gives them nothing to compete with on that level.

And before you talk about diluting the M badge with these ultrapowerful vehicles, keep in mind a sport package X3 has M badges all over the place. The old X5 4.6/4.8is did too, so does the new 550i Sport. If BMW doesn't want to CALL them M's I'm fine with that, but let's not pretend BMW doesn't stick that badge on "lesser" cars to help sell them. So make a super powerful 7-series (they already have a 600hp+ V12, and the twin turbo V8 would work just fine as well). Make a twin turbo V8 X5 and X6. Stick M door sills and steering wheels in them like they do those other vehicles without actually calling them M's. That's fine with me. But make the cars. There's a market for them.

Are you reffering to the M-technik packs? That's nothing more than a bodykit and some M-badges. BMW has been doing this for over 10 years..

i may be the only one here that thinks so, but this car is utterly pointless. i would rather see a true performance 7 series, not the alpina b7, than to see an x5m it makes no sense, save it for the x6 if you have to do an m suv. they are turning into mercedes with the do everything in amg thing.....WHY?

They do not do M version for big cars because they won't be AMG models, in the same way that a C63 won't be an M3. Most of AMG cars are superpower machines heavy top performers in the Autobahn. M cars are more track oriented. So that is the reason because they do not run a M7 on a track. The S65 is not a track car. No doubt is excelent but in the autobhan, any AMG rules the autobhans. But M3 rules the tracks and one of the main reason is because they are light, to the point that the 335 coupe got "marginal" in side protection. The cars are designed in a diferent way. If I see an M7 and I compare that agains the S65, for sure that car will be lighter than the Merc with less comfort and less gadgets, But it won't be as good as the Merc in the Autobhan but for sure will outperform the Merc on a track. But be honest, How many M7 will be on track? that's to big to enjoy it and will be to hard to match the Merc. Every time that BMW try to do AMGs, they will fail in the same way that Merc will fail doing M cars. Just as an example check the beautyful CLK63 Black series, I will buy that over any M3 any day, but that is twice of the price of an M3 and the performance is just slightly better for that matter. It is almost like compare GTR with Porsche 911TT. M is not AMG and viceverse so stop comparing them. Each one have strong and weak points but definitely they are diferent.

contrary to your way to long submit, the AMG cars, and the M cars serve the same purpose. whether or not one is better than the other, depends on engineering, and personal preference, the fact that you feel a non existant M7 wouldnt be as good as an S65 amg(who said BMW would make a turbo 12), is your PERSONAL opinion its not fact. The fact that it would have less gadgets, is also personal opinion, to compare the 911 gt3 priced clk black to an M3 proves that, it merely can get in the same league as the RS4, and M3, but cost what twice as much. i would rather have an RS4, and M3 for that kind of money. BMW doesnt do AMG Cars, AMG was created as a way to fight the M cars, not in reverse AMG hasnt always been factory backed lets not forget. M inspired that.

i hope they dont turbo the x5 for it to become in the M division. they should just stick to their powerful v10 and take of weight by using carbon fiber.

If this is truly a M Division version of the the X5, would it be called the MX5? LOL

I couldn't look at it with a straight face if they called it that. Might as well call it Miata.

My guess? It will be called the BMW X5 4.4TiS. It will have a direct injection twin turbo V8 measuring 4.4 litres in displacement. They won't supercharge it, that's not in their nature. As a matter of a fact I can't remember ANY BMW that had a supercharger! (excluding BMW Alpina of course)

Of course they are my personal opinions as the one that you wrote. However Still they are separated by diferent way to design.. BMW will put Driving Expirience and Performance over Security and Comfort, (5 series and coupes, Marginal in side crash test) Mercedes in the other hand have Security, Comfort and the Performance and driving expirience. And I do agree with you M inspired that, thats final. But you did not get the point, GTR, is almost in the same league of price than the M3, but surpass it widely in general performance. If you want to compare prices M3 is better than the CLK63 Black Series, in the Other Side the GTR is without any doubt a better choice over the M3 for the price. No arguments agains that. At the end you won't buy a car becasue me or anyone say that you are wrong, that will be your personal choice. I like M3, but defenitely I hate the weak engine. and for the records is 32 pounds heavier than the engine of the C63 which is bigger and more powerful. And again BMW will not mess with AMGs, BWM will stay behind them. Do you remember the M8? or 850 CSI? against 600SEC? no go...They losse money with that market, Z8 against SL, sorry but it is good but not enough to go against Sl in luxury , style comfort and security, Just drives slightly better. AMG still learning but it will never be a "light" car, So M will always be a better performer on the track, but in the autobhans AMG still undisputable. MX5 Will be good but will not Outperforme Cayene with weak torsion on the V10 and If they use turbos, mmm... is very likely that will have another overheating problem in their hands, may be that's the main reason that BMW is not willing to use Turbos. Do you know overheating problems on Merc Turbo engines?....BMW can teach some magic about suspesions secrets, the AMG could share some Turbo and engines secrets. Imagine a car with driving quality of an M3 pluss the superlight structure of the R8 and an AMG engine Naturaly aspirated or with turbos. Unbeatable.

BMW has lost its way

Unless BMW provides a true, 6-speed manual with a clutch (as the Cayenne GTS does), I'm going to wait this one out for the 2010 Cayenne GTS. I hear the next gen Cayenne GTS will be 3 inches lower, targeted curb weight of 4,400lbs (as against 5200lbs currently- a bit of porker at present).
BMW now caters almost completely to American lardbellies.