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BMW X7 M50i and X5 xDrive45e Are Gentle Giants in Frankfurt

BMW aficionados visiting the Frankfurt Motor Show this year will definitely be pleased with the size of the Bavarian automotive producer's booth. And while we've already gone through all-new machines like the stunning Concept 4 and the ahead-of-its-time i Hydrogen NEXT, the time has come to also check out some toys we had previously been informed on.
BMW X7 M50i 56 photos
Photo: Stefan Baldauf/ SB-Medien
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Until we get our hands on even cleaner X5 versions such as the fuell cell concept mentioned above, the carmaker has brought the X5 xDrive45e to Frankfurt. We're talking about a plug-in hybrid that mixes an inline-six gas motor with an electric motor. The overall output of the system sits ar 394 PS, while torque sits at a meaty 442 lb-ft.

As such, the BMW X5 xDrive45e can complete the 0 to 62 mph in a spicy 5.6 seconds, while its all-electric driving range sits between 67 and 87 km on the WLTP test cycle (think: 41 to 54 miles).

Of course, the world still appears to be in love with uber-powered crossovers, which is why the German carmaker's Frankfurt offensive also includes the X4M in Competition trim (that's 510 ponies), along with the X7 M50i.

Unlike in the case of its smaller brothers, BMW won't build an all-out M version for the X7. As such, the M Performance model we have here is the most potent of the lineup.

The engine compartment is occupied by a reworked N63 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 (that's right, the engine from the M850i). As such, we're talking about a meaty 530 PS and 553 lb-ft of twist, with the latter being available right down from 1,800 rpm.

This means the seven-seater can complete the 0 to 60 mph task in a sporty 4.5 seconds, while the standard 155 mph top speed limitation is in place (that value is for the summer tires, while the number drops to 130 mph for the all-season rubber).

Oh, and the M Sport rear diff comes to help the xDrive do its job, while the eight-speed auto is obviously up to the job, which is something we can also say about the M Sport brakes.

So you get around 70 hp extra, sharper handling and braking compared to the xDrive50i, with this requiring a premium of about $7,000, for a starting price of $92,600.

PS: You can feast your eyes on the high-spec crossovers in the live photo gallery above.
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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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