BMW Australia confirms new flagship petrol V8 models for X5 and X7

BMW Australia has confirmed the arrival of flagship M50i V8 versions of its X5 and X7 SUVs in the fourth quarter of this year.

An upgraded version of the brand’s familiar 4.4-litre turbo-petrol engine sits under the bonnet of each new model, producing 390kW from 5500-6000rpm and 750Nm from 1800-4600rpm.

According to BMW, several key components have been upgraded relative to the previous version of this engine, including the crankcase, cylinders, pistons, crankshaft and cylinder heads, as well as the ‘TwinPower Turbo’ system.

Twin turbos (positioned in the engine’s ‘hot vee’) are bigger and direct petrol injection pressure has been bumped up to a maximum of 350 bar.

The technology package also includes the latest iteration of BMW’s ‘Valvetronic’ variable valve control and ‘Vanos’ variable (double) camshaft control.

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Both the X5 M850i and X7 M850i will also feature an eight-speed ‘Steptronic’ sports automatic transmission, the ‘xDrive’ all-wheel drive system, an ‘M’ sports differential and a specific suspension tune.

Although local pricing and final specification is yet to be confirmed, BMW Australia’s head of product and planning, Brendan Michel told CarsGuide to expect numbers in a similar ballpark to M50d versions of each model (X5 M50d - $153,600, before on-road costs / X7M50d - $169,900 BOC).

Indicative standard equipment includes an M leather steering wheel and gear selector, ‘Vernasca’ leather upholstery (with contrast stitching and perforated surfaces), as well as interior trim elements in ‘Aluminium Tetragon’ (X5 M50i) or ‘Fineline Black’ wood finish.

Also likely is illuminated ‘M50i’ entry sills, a headliner in Anthracite (BMW X5 M50i) or Alcantara Anthracite (BMW X7 M50i) and hi-fi audio (X5 M50i) or a Harman Kardon surround sound system (X7 M50i).

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