Photo: BMW / edited
As you're well aware, M variants are different beasts from regular Bimmers. The M60i sort of blurs the line between them, for it packs an M-developed engine despite being an M Performance vehicle.
The X5 M60i, X6 M60i, and X7 M60i feature the S68, a twin-turbo V8 that's more than simply an S63 modified for hybrid applications. For the next generations of the X5, X6, and X7, the M60i variant will be – allegedly – discontinued in favor of a six-pot plug-in hybrid setup.
Bimmerpost brigadier general ynguldyn was the first to report this development, and it does hold water. The switch from M60i to M60e is natural because BMW has to improve both emissions and fuel economy in the span of a few short years. The M60e makes a lot of sense in Europe, where Euro 7 regulations have been famously described as a de facto ban on new fossil-fuel vehicles.
According to ynguldyn, the M60e will feature the same B58 twin-turbo I6 engine with plug-in hybrid assistance as the M760e. Only available with xDrive all-wheel drive, the full-size luxobarge is rated at 563 horsepower (571 ps) and 590 pound-feet (800 Nm). The 3.0-liter sixer makes 376 horsepower (381 ps) at 5,200 rpm, whereas the electric motor belts out 194 hp (197 ps). Maximum speed in electric mode is 87 mph (140 kph).
How does the M760e stack up against the M60i variant of the aforementioned sport utility vehicles? On paper, that would be better in both power (523 hp or 530 ps) and torque (553 pound-feet or 750 Nm). Even though the B58 sounds amazing, the S68 wins in terms of aural pleasure. It will be sad to see the S68 gone from the next-gen SUVs, but it won't be the end of the world either.
There is hearsay according to which the M60i will continue to be produced for the US market. What's more, don't forget the X5 M and X6 M are due to receive a plug-in hybrid take on the S68 for their next generations. The X7 isn't likely to receive an M version because it would step on the XM's toes. Codenamed G95 and G96, the X5 M and X6 M will be joined by all-electric siblings as well, namely the iX5 and iX6. Both will share their CLAR underpinnings with internal combustion versions instead of moving to the Neue Klasse EV architecture.
As ever, the Munich-based automaker's large SUVs will be manufactured at the Spartanburg plant in the United States rather than Germany. The G65 X5 should enter production in December 2026 for the 2027 model year.
ynguldyn reports that the G66 X6 will follow suit in April 2028, whereas the G67 X7 is expected to start production in August 2027. The Spartanburg plant in South Carolina will also serve as the stomping ground of the G79 iXM, which is due to start rolling off the assembly line in December 2028 for model year 2029.
Bimmerpost brigadier general ynguldyn was the first to report this development, and it does hold water. The switch from M60i to M60e is natural because BMW has to improve both emissions and fuel economy in the span of a few short years. The M60e makes a lot of sense in Europe, where Euro 7 regulations have been famously described as a de facto ban on new fossil-fuel vehicles.
According to ynguldyn, the M60e will feature the same B58 twin-turbo I6 engine with plug-in hybrid assistance as the M760e. Only available with xDrive all-wheel drive, the full-size luxobarge is rated at 563 horsepower (571 ps) and 590 pound-feet (800 Nm). The 3.0-liter sixer makes 376 horsepower (381 ps) at 5,200 rpm, whereas the electric motor belts out 194 hp (197 ps). Maximum speed in electric mode is 87 mph (140 kph).
How does the M760e stack up against the M60i variant of the aforementioned sport utility vehicles? On paper, that would be better in both power (523 hp or 530 ps) and torque (553 pound-feet or 750 Nm). Even though the B58 sounds amazing, the S68 wins in terms of aural pleasure. It will be sad to see the S68 gone from the next-gen SUVs, but it won't be the end of the world either.
There is hearsay according to which the M60i will continue to be produced for the US market. What's more, don't forget the X5 M and X6 M are due to receive a plug-in hybrid take on the S68 for their next generations. The X7 isn't likely to receive an M version because it would step on the XM's toes. Codenamed G95 and G96, the X5 M and X6 M will be joined by all-electric siblings as well, namely the iX5 and iX6. Both will share their CLAR underpinnings with internal combustion versions instead of moving to the Neue Klasse EV architecture.
As ever, the Munich-based automaker's large SUVs will be manufactured at the Spartanburg plant in the United States rather than Germany. The G65 X5 should enter production in December 2026 for the 2027 model year.
ynguldyn reports that the G66 X6 will follow suit in April 2028, whereas the G67 X7 is expected to start production in August 2027. The Spartanburg plant in South Carolina will also serve as the stomping ground of the G79 iXM, which is due to start rolling off the assembly line in December 2028 for model year 2029.
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