The high-performance BMW X5 M was launched for the 2010 model year, four years into the SUV's second-generation model and 10 years since the midsize, luxury SUV->ke145 made its global debut. Compared to its less insane sibling, the X5 M received a more aggressive exterior, a host of bespoke interior features a more powerful engine. While the X5's->ke326 4.4-liter V-8 was rated at 400 ponies, the X5 M's delivered an astounding 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, making it one of the most powerful SUVs in production. The X5 M was impressively fast, needing only 4.5 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start. As we venture into the 2015 model year, the X5 M is receiving the same exterior and interior updates as the facelifted X5, plus a few additional ponies to its tried-and-true eight-banger.

The revised X5 M is set to make its global debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show->ke211 in November, where it will be displayed alongside its sportier brother, the X6 M. Read on to find out what's new for the X5 M.

Updated 11/21/2014: We are live at the LA Auto Show, and we snapped a ton of images of the new X5 M. You can see the key images after the jump and more in our gallery.

Click past the jump to read more about the next BMW X5 M.

2015 BMW X5 M

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 BMW X5 M
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 567 @ 6000
  • Torque: 553 @ 2200
  • Transmission: eight-speed M Steptronic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Rendering

In creating our rendering, we started with the base BMW X5 and added the usual M elements, including: front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a set of M-style wheels and larger side vents. The result is a more aggressive looking SUV.

Spy Shots

Up front, there is not much to see thanks to some heavy camo. However, you can make out the air intakes on the bottom of the skirt and the wide-open grille. Both of these attributes lead us to believe this is the M variant, as it needs this extra air to let that big V-8 breathe during testing. Unfortunately, the camouflage blocks our view of anything else.

The new spy shot that we just dug up in May shows a little more of the back end than the previous spy shots. This angle shows off the sweet quad exhaust pipes, revised liftgate and updated taillights. Unfortunately, the camo is still pretty heavy, but it’s better than what we had before.

Exterior

As expected, the X5 M borrows most of its visual cues from the facelifted X5. These include new bumpers front and rear, revised headlamps and taillights, and minor tweaks here and there. However, the M model can be easily distinguished from its regular sibling thanks to the more aggressive bumper design and the large intakes in the front, lower apron. Around back, the trademark BMW M quad exhaust-pipe layout embedded in a revised, diffuser-like piece replaces the standard configuration.

As with each BMW facelift, the X5 M also received new wheel designs and a revised color palette. Naturally, a host of Individual options will become available once the high-performance SUV arrives in showrooms.

Exterior Dimensions

Length

4,880 MM (192.12 Inches)

Width

1,985 MM (78.14 Inches)

Height

1,717 MM (67.59 Inches)

Wheelbase

2,933 MM (115.47 Inches)

Track, front/rear

1666/1667 MM (65.59/65.62 Inches)

Ground clearance

195 (7.7 Inches)

Turning circle

12.8 M (42 Feet)

Weight, unladen, to DIN/EU

2275/2350 KG (5015/5180 LBS)


Interior

Interior enhancements aren't massive, but they do include a host of novelties. A new M, leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminum paddles replaces the previous unit, while the revised front sports seats are upholstered in Merino leather. A Nappa leather dashboard, an Alcantara headliner, and aluminum trim are also included in the standard package. The M-specific instrument cluster further sets the X5 M apart from the standard SUV. Customers looking for more techy features can go for the option heads-up display that now comes with a special M display including speed, gear, rev band and shift lights.

The X5 M is packed with convenience and safety features. An alarm system, automatically dimming rear-view and exterior mirrors, four-zone automatic climate control, a premium Harman Kardon surround sound system, and Park Distance Control rearview camera are just a few of the goodies found on the vehicle's extensive standard features list.

Interior Dimensions

Luggage comp capacity

650-1870 liter (171-494 Gallons)


Drivetrain

Several updates have been operated under the hood as well, where the proven, twin-turbo, 4.4-liter V-8 roars to the tune of 567 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. That's a 12-pony and 53-pound-feet improvement over the outgoing model, which provides a significant boost in terms of performance. The X5 M is now capable of hitting the 60-mph benchmark from a standing start in only 4.0 seconds, 0.5 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Quite impressive for an SUV.

Another important addition is the brand-new, eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission which replaces the old of six-speed autobox. The unit mates to a revised xDrive system. The combo boasts enhanced fuel economy numbers that sit at 11.1 liters of gasoline per 100 km on the European cycle or about 21.1 mpg in the United States.

Drivetrain/Specifications

Engine Config/No of cyls/valves

V/8/4

Engine technology

BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology with variable inlet geometry, TwinScroll biturbo charging, High Precision Petrol Direct Injection, VALVETRONIC

Capacity, effective cm³

4395

Stroke/bore mm

88.3/89.0

Compression ratio :1

10.0

Fuel grade

RON 95–98

Max output

567 HP @ 6,000–6,500 RPM

Torque

553 LB-FT @ 2,200–5,000 RPM

Power-to-weight ratio (DIN) kg/kW

5.4

Output per liter kW/ltr

96.2

Acceleration (0-60 mph)

4.0 seconds

0–1000 m

22.6 seconds

Top speed

250 km/h (280 km/h with optional M Driver’s Package) (155 mph; 173 mph)


Capacities

Max load to DIN

695 KG (1532 LBS)

Max permissible weight

2970 KG (6503 LBS)

Max axle load, front/rear

1420/1630 KG (3130/3593 LBS)

Max trailer load (12 %) braked/unbraked

2950/750 KG (6503/1653 LBS)

Max roofload/max towbar download

100/140 KG (220/308 LBS)


Suspension And Brakes

The suspension system gained improvements of its own, including redesigned upper wishbones, stiffer springs and self-leveling air suspension for the rear axle. The updates allow for better agility and cornering, while lowering the vehicle by 10 mm (0.39 inches). In addition, a revised dynamic damper control system enables the driver to adjust the dampers at the touch of a button. Three modes are now available: Comfort, Sport, and Sport+.

Stopping power is provided by reworked, race-bred M brakes. Large six-piston, fixed calipers are mounted up front, with single-piston, floating calipers at the rear. The brake discs feature a cast iron, ventilated and cross-drilled friction surface mounted to an aluminum hat. The rotors are squeezed by a brake pad surface that's 50-percent larger compared to those used on the previous X5 M.

Suspension, front

Double-joint spring strut axle with M-specific elastokinematics,

small, negative steering roll radius, anti-dive

Suspension, rear

Integral-IV rear axle with M-specific elastokinematics, spatially-acting suspension with anti-squat and anti-dive, air suspension with automatic self-levelling

Brakes, front

Six-piston fixed-calliper disc brakes, vented

Brakes, rear

Single-piston floating-calliper disc brakes, vented

Driving stability systems

Standard: DSC incl. ABS and M Dynamic Mode, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Electronic Differential Lock ADB-X, Dry Braking function, Fading Compensation, Start-Off Assistant; DSC cross-linked with xDrive all-wheel drive, Dynamic Performance Control, Hill Descent Control (HDC), Adaptive Drive

Safety equipment

Standard: airbags for driver and front passenger, side airbags for driver and front passenger, head airbags for front and rear seats, crash-activated head restraints at the front, three-point inertia-reel seatbelts on all seats with belt stopper, belt latch tensioner and belt force limiter at the front, crash sensors, rollover sensors, tire defect indicator

Steering

Electric Power Steering (EPS) with M-specific Servotronic function


Prices

The X5 M will base at $96,650 plus a $950 destination fee. .

Competition

Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Porsche has yet to launch its top-of-the-line SUV as of October 2014, only revealing that the regular Turbo comes with a twin-turbo, V-8 engine that delivers 520 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Our best guess is the Turbo S will crank out at least 560 ponies, making it is quicker than the revised BMW X5 M. The Turbo can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in neck-snapping 4.2 seconds, meaning the S would need about four second to achieve the same speed.

Impressive by numbers, the Cayenne Turbo S will be a lot more expensive than the X5 M. With the Turbo priced from $113,600, we wouldn’t bet on the Turbo S fetching less than $140,000.

Range Rover Sport SVR

The Range Rover Sport SVR is a brand-new, high-performance SUV launched for the 2015 model year. Crafted by Jaguar Land Rover's newly established Special Vehicle Operations division, the Sport SVR is to the Range Rover Sport exactly what the X5 M is to the X5. The SUV sports an aggressive body kit, a more premium interior and an uprated powerplant.

The familiar, supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8 churns 542 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque in the SVR, enabling it to charge from naught to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and up to an electronically limited top speed of 162 mph. Sure, it's tad slower than both the Turbo S and the X5 M, but definitely cheaper than the former at $111,400.

Conclusion

While the visual and the interior upgrades are exactly what we expected them to be, and the uprated V-8 comes as a bit of a surprise. Not that we're complaining, but most reports hinted at performance gains obtained by means of a more aerodynamic body and lowered curb weight, not an enhanced powertrain. The facelifted X5 M arrives just in time for the updated Cayenne Turbo, but we have a feeling BMW's new SUV will be no match for the upcoming Turbo S. That doesn't make it less impressive, but BMW missed yet another chance to climb above Porsche in this segment.