ge5432199635786115958
5
Gautam Sharma29 Jan 2010
NEWS

Typhoon Black Pearl blows away BMW X5 M

Pearler! Blown X5 pumps out 460kW and tops 300km/h. Will it go off-road? Don't be ridiculous

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.


Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi

Share this article
Written byGautam Sharma
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
Meet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe today
Sell your car with Instant Offer™
Like trade-in but price is regularly higher
1. Get a free Instant Offer™ online in minutes2. An official local dealer will inspect your car3. Finalise the details and get paid the next business day
Get a free Instant Offer
Sell your car with Instant Offer™
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Love every move.
Buy it. Sell it.Love it.
®
Scan to download the carsales app
    DownloadAppCta
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    Want more info? Here’s our app landing page App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © carsales.com.au Pty Ltd 1999-2025
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.