This week, the first ever BMW X3 M and X4 M are hosting behind their wheel journalists from around the world who will put the two M brothers through some intensive drives. And while the new M SUVs are ready for market launch, the upcoming X5 M is still going through some final testing drills.
A prototype of the X5 M platform was spotted at the Nurburgring this past weekend, running some hot laps, as you’d expect. Despite the heavy camouflage, the design of the third generation X5 M is hardly a surprise. Images of the powerful SUV were leaked a few weeks ago showing the car in all its glory.
Under the hood will be a 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V8, likely borrowed from the BMW M5. While there’s no official word on power or performance just yet, it’s likely that it will pack around 600 hp. There will also likely be a Competition model that will pack some more power, probably somewhere around the 625 hp from the M5 Competition. That should make it good for 0-60 mph in around 3.5 seconds, which would be about half a second faster than the outgoing car.
Design wise, the 2020 X5 M is based upon the G05 X5, but of course, with the necessary M upgrades – the front apron gets two large air intakes, a redesigned bumper, blacked out kidney grilles, wider fenders and a lower center of gravity.
In the back, we can see the roof spoiler, a sporty diffuser and dual twin pipes with a larger diameter than the regular X5.
Both the X5 M and X6 M will be unveiled this year with sales scheduled for 2020.
[Photos: Instagram @wilcoblok]
