BMW X5

words - Gautam Sharma
Pearler! Blown X5 pumps out 460kW and tops 300km/h. Will it go off-road? Don't be ridiculous
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BMW already produces its own go-faster version of the X5, but obviously there will be some for whom 408kW and 680Nm just won't be enough.

Enter the wacky folks from German firm G-Power and their latest concoction -- the demurely named Typhoon Black Pearl.

We'll get to the cosmetic mods later, but for now just digest these numbers: 460kW at 6100rpm, 700Nm at 5300rpm, 0-100km/h in 4.sec and v-max of 300km/h-plus.

The 4.8-litre V8's revamp begins with a G-Power SK III RS supercharger, and its maker claims the engine-driven blower negates the lag that's associated with turbo engines, puffing out a maximum boost of 1.0 bar.

A similar set-up is used by the Alpina B6 GT3 race car that last year raced at the Nürburgring 24-hour enduro. Incidentally, this correspondent has driven the road-going Alpina B6S, and can confirm that it offers staggering levels of oopmh.

Other engine upgrades include a two-part carbon intake air duct, a large-volume aluminium charge-air cooling system and a stainless steel exhaust with racing headers, racing catalysts and mufflers. The V8 also scores Mahle forged pistons, a bespoke crank, new injectors, a reprogrammed ECU and an additional oil cooler.

The brawny body kit brings a vented bonnet, an aggressive bumper/spoiler assembly, fender flares, side skirts and a rear bumper diffuser with cutouts for the beefy centre-exit exhausts. The bottom edges of the side skirts are laced with five LED units each, and these light up by remote control, or when a door is opened. Poseurs will no doubt love this feature...

The Black Pearl rides on massive 23-inch G-Power Silverstone rims (11 inches wide at the front and 12 inchers at the rear), and they're wrapped in sticky Michelin rubber.

Interior tweaks include an "ergonomically formed" sport steering wheel, a bespoke speedometer and lashings of carbonfibre. The folks at G-Power are also happy to trim the cabin in purple velour... if that's what you want.

The G-Power Typhoon Black Pearl can be had in Europe for the princely sum of € 295,000 (just under $460k... phew!), or you can hand them your existing E70 X5 and they'll do the needful to make it look and go like the beast you see here.

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Powered By Motoring.com.au Published : Friday, 29 January 2010
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