We’re only a few months away from the official unveiling of the new F85 X5 M, if our sources are correct, but we can’t curb our enthusiasm about the new Super-SUV. As if our own thoughts weren’t enough to keep us up at night, BMW is teasing us even more, testing the wheels off the new M car on the Ring.
Our spy lens caught up with the X5 M on the famous Green Hell, driven to the limit by one of the company’s test drivers. Such behavior could be explained by the fact that this prototype is probably close to production and these are the final tests to be performed before actually launching it into the world.
As you can see, the huge wheels, cross-drilled rotors, massive air intakes on the front fascia and the quad-tailpipes at the back give it away, despite being carefully wrapped in BMW’s psychedelic camouflage. Of course, the sound is also pretty much self explainatory. It seems like the V8 is safe for now.
Speaking of engines, the new X5 M will keep its S63 4.4-liter V8 engine but it will probably migrate to the updated version that is used on the F10 M5. Compared to its older version, the S63B44T0 uses Valvetronic, being the first M-developed engine to use such technology.
Valvetronic allows infinite adjustments of the intake valve timing and duration and was introduced in an attempt to drive fuel consumption and CO2 emissions lower than ever, even on M engines.
The power output isn’t expected to go up by a considerable margin, or at all as a matter of fact. Expect the new X5 M to make the same 560 HP and 680 Nm (501 lb-ft) of torque as the F10 M5 but this time, a 7-speed DCT gearbox will be used, instead of the old 6-speed automatic.
The performance gain, however, won’t come only from the new box (that is definitely faster than the old automatic). Another contributing factor will be the lighter construction due to usage of new materials such as CFRP and magnesium as well as aluminum in all the right places.
Therefore, the new X5 M will probably shed around 200 lbs (90 kg) that, coupled with all the other new tech, would turn it into an SUV that’s capable of doing 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 4.5 seconds. Expect BMW to officially take the veils off the new high-performance SUV in Paris this autumn.
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