Believe it or not, it’s time for an all-new BMW X5, which is expected to debut sometime in the coming months. And when there’s an X5, there’s also an X5 M. Expected to arrive before the end of the year, the new X5 M will continue a winning formula consisting of high performance, utility and luxury. Our spy photographers have just sent us these new and very up close and personal snaps of a nearly ready to go X5 M advanced prototype testing on public roads.
It appears to be wearing its final sheetmetal and is fairly lightly covered in camo. From what we can make out, the front air inlets in the front bumper have grown in size, though they’re still fairly well hidden here. What’s not at all in hiding are the four fat exhaust pipes out back. Like its predecessors, the new X5 M will feature an upgraded exhaust system and bigger wheels and brakes. Notice here the blue calipers and drilled discs. We won’t know the engine and other powertrain details until launch, but it’s widely expected the new X5 M will produce around 600 hp, expected to come from the familiar 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that also powers the new M5. Lower trims will have four-cylinder and inline-six engines. A plug-in hybrid is also planned.
What many may not realize is that BMW is building many of its most popular (read: RWD-based) new models on its highly adaptable CLAR platform. Already CLAR underpins the latest 5 and 7 Series sedans and the Rolls-Royce Phantom. In addition to the new X5 and X5 M, the upcoming 8 Series lineup will also utilize CLAR. Despite the new platform, the new X5 lineup’s dimensions will be very similar to the outgoing model, although interior space is said to increase thanks to some creative design and engineering tweaks. More details are expected very soon and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the next generation X5 make its world debut at Paris next October.
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