The 2008 BMW X6 50i has only been on the market for a few months now, but the 2010 BMW X6 50is is already in development. A more powerful version of the standard X6 50i, this high-performance SUV will be the first example of what BMW can do when it turns up the boost on its new twin-turbo V8.
Unlike BMW's sedans and coupes, which get the full Motorsport treatment, the X Series of SUVs has never received the official "M" badge. We expect that to continue with this X6, which will most likely wear the "is" suffix like the high-performance X5s that came before it.
Although most speculation has suggested that the X6 might one day feature the same V10 found in the current M5 sedan, these prototypes suggest otherwise. Not only do they not have the telltale whine of a typical V10, their instrument panels have the same 6,500-rpm redline as the standard X6 50i.
With that in mind, it's likely that this X6 will get the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 as the standard model. The difference is likely to come in the form of more boost for the turbos, a change that should yield at least another 50 horsepower, if not more.
Expect to see a more aggressive suspension setup as well, plus a few interior enhancements. There's usually a tire-and-brake upgrade, but these prototypes had what looked to be stock versions of each, so the standard units might be enough to handle this X6's additional power.
Expect to see official information on the high-performance 2010 BMW X6 50is by the end of the year, with sales beginning by the summer of 2009.
See new BMW models
Unlike BMW's sedans and coupes, which get the full Motorsport treatment, the X Series of SUVs has never received the official "M" badge. We expect that to continue with this X6, which will most likely wear the "is" suffix like the high-performance X5s that came before it.
Although most speculation has suggested that the X6 might one day feature the same V10 found in the current M5 sedan, these prototypes suggest otherwise. Not only do they not have the telltale whine of a typical V10, their instrument panels have the same 6,500-rpm redline as the standard X6 50i.
With that in mind, it's likely that this X6 will get the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 as the standard model. The difference is likely to come in the form of more boost for the turbos, a change that should yield at least another 50 horsepower, if not more.
Expect to see a more aggressive suspension setup as well, plus a few interior enhancements. There's usually a tire-and-brake upgrade, but these prototypes had what looked to be stock versions of each, so the standard units might be enough to handle this X6's additional power.
Expect to see official information on the high-performance 2010 BMW X6 50is by the end of the year, with sales beginning by the summer of 2009.
See new BMW models
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