While not as exciting as North American International Auto Show, the Chicago venue has some of the Midwest calm around it. BMW’s setup is also less aggressive and colorful when compared to the other auto shows, but that has never kept us away from the old and new bimmers.
The excitement of the day revolved around the ALPINA B7 with the BMW X5 M being the second one “in-charge”. Along with the multiple photos taken today, allow us to share again with you some of our previous findings on the X5 M.
BMW X5 M brings all the visual characteristics of an M car: aggressiveness, sportiness and M-brand design cues. The X5 M gets an unique front-end treatment with large air intakes and front airdam, as well as gills in the front fenders, side skirts and a rear diffuser surrounded by quad exhaust pipes. Bi-xenon dual headlights including a daytime driving light function are standard on the X5 M.
Being a true M model, the BMW X5 M comes equipped with high-performance brakes combined with inner-vented lightweight brake discs. The X5 M also features specific 20-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tires — 275/40 at the front and 315/30 at the rear.
Inside, the design is all about the M brand, starting with M sport seats, M steering wheel, M entry trim and footrest and finishing with a beautiful M shifter.
The BMW X5 M uses the same engine as its “twin”, the X6 M we tested on track last summer, a tuned up 4.4 liter V8 engine delivering 555 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 5,650 rpm. The engine uses the twin-scroll twin turbo technology with High Precision Direct Injection. By positioning the twin-scroll turbochargers together with the catalytic converters in the “V” section between the cylinders, it minimizes the turbo lag and offers better fuel efficiency.
Click through to read our BMW X5 M review
[Photo Credit: Shawn Molnar]
