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BMW's hot X5 and X6 (2009): the spy photos
By
Ben Pulman
Spyshots
12 September 2008 07:30
Had you heard that the BMW M3 CSL is being canned – in favour of faster 4x4s? BMW’s M Division is lending a hand to develop high-performance X5 and X6 models and our spies have snapped the go-faster X6 hot weather testing in the US and the hot X5 pounding the Nurburgring in Germany.
Both SUVs are expected to use a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, tweaked to over 460bhp, and cost at least £60,000. It's not clear at this stage how the cars will be badged, not least because of the MX-5 and MX-6 trademarks owned by Mazda.
How will the M Division differentiate the tuned X5 and X5 from its regular 4x4s?
With even more obnoxious styling. Check out the front bumper of the X6 – despite being clad in black tape and wire mesh you can see the deeper central air intake. Flanking it are two gaping grilles that appear to do without foglights (as every M car does), while a discreet splitter runs the width of the bumper. But we hope those white dots don’t hide LED lights – they’re fast becoming the latest annoying must-have.
Along the flanks of the X6 run four plastic pads for disguise, but only the front one is relevant, thought to hide the M-style characteristic side vents. The new rear bumper bulges, while quad exhausts poke out from within. But this is not the hybrid version, as that features a different rear end treatment.
Click 'Next' below to read about BMW's M Division boss admitting to these cars' exisence
Scroll down the page to watch our video road test of the BMW X6
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