Autocar - First for car news and reviews

Autocar has learned that high performance M-Power versions of the BMW X5 and X6 will be introduced next year.

According to Ludwig Willish, boss of BMW’s M-Division, sportier versions of the two SUVs, which will be branded as the X5M and X6M, are a priority to allow the company to take the fight to the Porsche Cayenne GTS and the Mercedes ML63 AMG.

Both the X5M and X6M will be powered by BMW’s twin turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, launched in the standard X6 earlier this yea...Read the full article

Firstly in the current climate with SUV sales falling, I don't see anything other than BMW pride and vanity driving this.

Secondly- why do the X5 and X6?, I thought that was the point of the X6- for people that wanted a more sporting SUV??

Personally, you'd probably be better off buying a M5 or M6 if you are after sporting performance...

Autocar:

BMW’s twin turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine

It's really a 4.4-litre V8, not 4.0-litre. This is the new way of producing high power, low emissions engines: direct injection and turbochargers. The side benefit is monstrous torque. This same engine will be used in the new 7-series (750i, 750Li), and it's only a matter of time before we see it in the 5-series and 6-series cars. Let the fun begin.

It's such a shame they're going to get rid of that fantastic 5.0 V10. In terms of technology, character and breadth of ability not even Audi's 572bhp V10 comes close. Maybe a future M1 variant like a light weight, race-prepped GTR will use something similar?

Anyways the push for cleaner, more efficient engines and downsizing is also a good move...also inevitable.