BMW Twin-Turbo V8 X5 begins testing
July 2, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Who said there is a shrinking demand for large, powerful SUVs? Not BMW, that’s for sure. The German powerhouse has started extreme durability testing on the new twin-turbo V8-powered BMW X5 in the southwestern part of the United States.
The sort of testing that might have once been conducted in the Northern Territory (no longer viable due to speed limits) takes full advantage of the local hot temperatures, kilometres of desert roadways and mountains with steep grades.
The X5’s twin-turbo engine is shared with the X6. The 4.4-litre V8 is expected to have about 300kW and roughly 610Nm of torque.
The twin-turbo will be unveiled in the US later this year. As for availability in Australia, BMW has been contacted for comment.
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*****PRIMO!*****
Veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy intersting! :-)
Great donk for a 1 series!!
Cheers
F-0
Why not just put in the M5’s V10? A big, twin-turbo V8 diesel should also be nice!
Makes sense that they test it in the same country that it’s made and where the vast majority will be sold.
What is the point of this vehicle? If you want sport get a 3 series and if you need the space get a touring model. It will handle better, use less petrol, easier to park and probably cheaper.
What’s the point of this vehicle?
Think ML63 AMG. Period.
That’s the point of this vehicle.
The X5’s are actually a “cheap” way to get yourself into a BMW. If you compare it with the simliarish sized 5 Series, the X5 is way way cheaper (a 523i [that is inline 6, 2.5L detuned] with some options like the 8.8″ iDrive and HUD costs a touch over 100K where as you could get yourself into a diesel X5 for the same price). People have this thing about ‘executive’ sedans (ie. 5 Series) despite the massive price premium over the (somewhat) more practical X5.
How is this more practical than a 3 seies station wagon? The wagon is cheaper, more fuel economic, safer, easier to park, more practical.
The only reason for an X5 is if you are going to go off road a bit, and how many X3/5 owners do that?
Twin turbo BMW V8, it just doesn’t need justification, or economy, or anything else. Just twin turbo BMW V8, thats all the reason you need. Or maybe four wheel drifts..
Let’s just pray they whack the same engine into a 3 series.
Magnificent!
Is it just me or is 300kw a bit average for a TT V8? Especially when the Porsche Cayenne Turbo is on the market
Firstly, the 3 Series is pretty small comparing to the X5. The same applies to the 3 Series wagon. I wouldn’t really compare the two.
However, as the X5 is somewhat based off of the 5 Series platform, you can compare the 5 Series touring (M5 anyone?) and the X5. But, given the price premium to get yourself into a 5 Series, all that practicallity is suddenly lost.
Consider this – 530i and X5 3.0si share an identical engine. Both are pretty similar in terms of features (ie. the steering wheel is optional). However with a starting price of $119,500 for the 530i and a starting price of $85,000 for the X5 3.0si – how is the 530i more practical? For the price of the 530i you could get a well packaged X5 4.8i which in 5 Series sedan form would cost you a good $163,900.
Also consider that fuel consumption between the two are quite close given that the X5 comes it at 2 tonnes. Also, the X5 has a higher towing capacity (braked) of 2.7T v’s 1.9T and more boot space (100L+ extra) which is definately more practical for people that go on long trips and have something to tow like a caravan or boat.
And the X5 has a seven seat option..
Anyone notice the copy cat Mondeo/Falcon XR wheels! You\’d think for the price they’ll be asking they could come up with an original pattern!
BMW are like Ferrari in that they can get huge amounts of power out of smaller capacity without forced induction. 300kw seems low for a 4.4l V8 with twin turbo’s especially when the FPV F6 has a single turbo 4L six with 310kw, however BMW is playing funny buggers. Their M sport division got 309kw from just 4l of N/A V8, so we all know that BMW could easily get 380+ from this engine if they wanted too. Tuners can have a field day on this new engine and even the 225kw TT 3l found in the 1/3 series has been given a big boost with the tuners in Germany.
the 3 series touring IS NOT more practical than an X5. the 5 series is pretty much the same but i’m sure by now most people know that people buy suv’s because they want to. not every decision is made with 100% rationality. more importantly, how lucky do the testers have it? flogging all 610nm along deserted roads on blistering hot days.
and an M5 engine in this, having to rev the nuts off an X5 to get it going would just get annoying…
am not impressed with megs they should try something else