BMW X5 M F85 caught testing at Nürburgring ahead of debut
BMW’s next-generation X5 M, codenamed F85, has been filmed on the Nürburgring as the marque prepares its high-performance SUV for launch later in 2014.
BMW’s F85 X5 M development programme reached a public milestone as the high-performance SUV was filmed testing at the Nürburgring in April 2014. The footage captured the heavily camouflaged prototype lapping the circuit at pace, giving the first look at the new model’s handling and performance characteristics as the company readied it for launch.
The F85 X5 M is set to replace the E70 X5 M, which was powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 (S63) producing 555hp. For the new generation, BMW is expected to fit the latest version of the S63 engine, as found in the then-current M5 and M6 models. This updated unit delivers 560hp and increased torque, though official figures for the X5 M had not been confirmed at the time of testing.
BMW’s M division had already rolled out the S55 engine for the M3 and M4, but the larger S63 remained the choice for high-powered SUVs and grand tourers. The F85 X5 M’s test laps at the Nürburgring suggested the company was validating chassis, powertrain and electronic systems under demanding conditions, typical for M development vehicles.
Powertrain expectations for F85 X5 M
While the test car’s camouflage concealed most styling updates, the mechanical package drew more attention. The S63B44T0 engine, used in the F10 M5 and F12/F13 M6, offered 560hp and a broader torque band than the outgoing X5 M. That engine’s integration into the F85 X5 M would bring the SUV’s output in line with BMW’s latest M performance standards of the era.
The previous E70 X5 M and X6 M shared the earlier S63 unit, so the F85’s adoption of the revised engine would mark a step forward in both outright performance and efficiency. Transmission details remained unconfirmed, but the outgoing model used a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. BMW was expected to continue with xDrive for the new model, possibly paired with a more advanced automatic gearbox.
Launch timing and competitive context
BMW was widely expected to reveal the F85 X5 M before the end of 2014, with the Paris Motor Show a likely venue. The X5 M would compete directly with high-performance SUVs such as the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG and Porsche Cayenne Turbo, both of which had recently undergone their own updates.
