V8 power confirmed for BMW X5 and X7

The top-end of BMW's SUV range just got a little more intense with the confirmation of a pair of fiery twin-turbo petrol V8-powered M Performance models to top the range – until the full-biscuit BMW X5 M and X7 M flagships arrive.

According to BMW Australia, the go-fast 390kW SUVs should arrive Down Under "later in 2019" after the company confirmed its interest in the vehicles.

Joining the recently announced BMW 550i that will be coming to Australia from around October, production of the X5 M50i and X7 M50i will commence from August at BMW's Spartanburg plant in the USA, with local deliveries to begin shortly after.

Powered by the same tyre-frying twin-turbo 4.4-litre petrol V8 (390kW/750Nm) as the superseded BMW M5, the BMW X5 M50i rockets to 100km/h in a rapid-fire 4.3 seconds while the bigger, heavier X7 M50i takes 4.7 seconds.

An M sports exhaust system is fitted as standard to both Bavarian cruise missiles.

Drive is sent to all four wheels via eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and a launch control system is fitted as standard, along with an M sports differential. The latter is an electronically controlled diff lock that essentially transfers torque between the right and left rear wheels, reducing understeer and improving cornering traction under hard acceleration.

V8-powered large luxury SUV competitors for the muscled-up BMW X5 M50i include the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S ($195,030), while the BMW X7 M50i will butt heads with the GLS 63 S ($221,730).

In terms of suspension, the BMW X5 M50i features Adaptive M suspension which can be switched between comfort and sport modes. The BMW X7 M50i has adaptive dual-axle air suspension which can adjust the vehicle's ride height and mitigate body roll. Air suspension will be optional on the range-topping X5 in overseas markets but local specifications haven’t been confirmed.

Both models are standard with 21-inch alloy wheels and optional with 22-inch rims.

Integral active steering is another option for both models, adding rear-wheel steering to improve low- (urban) and high-speed (cornering) agility. Active electronic anti-roll stabilisers are also optional, using swivel motors located on front and rear axles to control the vehicle's tendency to roll when cornering.

Both models have several visual cues that allude to their increased performance levels, such as the bigger, bolder front air-dams. According to BMW they're not just cosmetic, but a “clear indication of the V8 engine's cooling requirements”.

There’s a sports body kit that wraps around the whole of both vehicles, with side skirts and a rear apron joining the aggressive front fascia, and high-gloss Shadow Line and Cerium Grey accents across the body.

The interiors of both the BMW X5 M50i and X7 M50i are bequeathed with M touch points, including an M leather steering wheel and gear lever.

Potential owners will sink into Vernasca leather upholstered seats with contrast stitching and perforated surfaces. Cabin highlight materials comprise aluminium tetragon on the X5 M50i and Fineline Black timber finish with a high-gloss metallic effect for the X7 M50i.

Anthracite headlining is standard on the X5 M50i while the X7 M50i gets an Alcantara Anthracite finish and both cars get illuminated scuff plates with the M50i logo. The X5 features a semi-premium audio system while the X7 gets a top-shelf Harman Kardon surround sound system.

Pricing for the new top-shelf Bavarian SUVs has not been confirmed for Australia or overseas, but BMW Australia is expecting both to generate high levels of customer interest given the local appetite for both prestige SUVs and M Performance models.

SO far this year, BMW Australia’s top-selling M Performance model is the BMW X3 M40i with 369 sales, followed by the M140i hatch (238) and X5 M50d (195).

Currently BMW Australia’s M Performance range spans the 1, 2, 7 and 8 Series passenger vehicles, while the M340i (3 Series) and M550i (5 Series) are on their way.

In terms of SUVs, BMW M Performance badges are now offered on all models except the X1 – meaning the X2, X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7.