SPY PICS: BMW X8 flagship SUV caught testing
Heavy camouflage can’t disguise Bavarian brand’s top-class coupe-SUV in developmentFurther evidence that BMW is developing a flagship SUV to sit above the X7 – the all-new BMW X8 – has emerged overseas with spy photographers capturing a prototype vehicle in testing.
BMW is yet to confirm the super-luxury coupe-style SUV is in development, but the latest photographs clearly show the gently sloping roofline and follow a string of trademark applications for the X8 moniker filed by the German car-maker over the past few years.
Most recently, these trademark filings have indicated BMW is also planning to crown the range with a super-high-performance BMW X8 M that could be powered by a circa-560kW plug-in hybrid powertrain that blends electrification with the brand’s 4.4-litre bi-turbo petrol V8.
The camouflage on the vehicle shown here is heavy, but there is a ‘hybrid’ sticker on the vehicle’s rear bumper that suggests it’ll share the same 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain used by its X7 sibling in overseas markets.
It will also likely adopt other powerful engines employed in the BMW X7 range, including the aforementioned ‘regular’ 390kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 and the 195kW/620Nm 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbo diesel, both of which are available in Australia.
There is no indication yet as to how BMW will configure with interior of the X8, which might only stick with two rows of seating – accommodating four in luxury, with the option of a rear bench seat to carry five.
As well as the giveaway roofline (which looks to offer generous rear headroom), the photographs show interesting elements such as another large interpretation of the brand’s kidney grille, flanked by the high-tech headlight clusters at the lower edges.
Stay tuned for further details on the BMW X8 and X8 M over the coming months.
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