Article Summary
- The upcoming BMW X5 M is set to go into production as a fully electric SUV in April 2028.
- This will mark the first time that BMW M products will have both gas and electric versions sharing the same platform.
- Reports suggest that alongside the electric version, there will also be a V8-powered X5 M and an M Performance model with a detuned twin-turbo, 4.4-liter engine.
BMW is gearing up to unveil the new X5, the fifth generation of their luxury SUV, with a range of engine options including six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, plug-in hybrid models, and electric versions. A hydrogen model is also in the pipeline for select markets by 2028. Performance enthusiasts can look forward to a variety of options as well.
Insider information from the Bimmer Post forums suggests that a fully electric X5 M is on the horizon, scheduled for production in April 2028. This model will be part of BMW’s plan to build six electric SUVs in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Although details on a gasoline-fueled model are scarce, rumors point towards a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, possibly with mild-hybrid technology, being used in both the standard and M Performance models.
With stricter emissions regulations in Europe, BMW faces challenges in selling high-performance models with large-displacement engines. The rumored X5 M60e plug-in hybrid, featuring a six-cylinder gasoline engine, is expected to meet approval from EU regulators. The X5 M is poised to be the first BMW M product to offer electric and gasoline models on the same platform, CLAR.
Looking ahead, the next-generation X6 M (G96) is likely to follow suit with V8 and electric M variants. However, full-fledged M models may not arrive until after 2029. Despite the increasing complexity of BMW’s lineup, the company’s strategic planning ensures a wide range of choices for consumers, whether they prefer traditional engines, hybrids, or electric vehicles.
Sources: Bimmer Post
