BMW dropping high-revving engines for ‘M’ cars, X6 ‘M’ and next M5 to get twin-turbos

It’s been rumored for some time now but according to AutoWeek, which is a pretty reliable source, BMW will drop the use of high-revving, naturally aspirated engine in its ‘M’ high-performance cars to turbocharged direct-injection units as early as next year.

According to high-ranking BMW sources, the future of the 4.0L V8 and the 5.0L V10 is now in question and both engines will most certainly make way for turbocharged engines in the coming years. Sources confirmed that the next ‘M’ vehicle to get a turbocharged engine will be the X6 which will arrive next year to compete with the Porsche Cayenne GTS and the Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG.

The X6 ‘M’ edition will carry BMW M’s new twin-turbocharged V8 which is based on the 5.0L 4.4L V8 already found under the X6 xDrive50i. The unit will match the output of the current generation M5 at 500-hp. It will also find its way under the hood of the next-generation M5 in 2010.

2009 BMW X6:

BMW X6  BMW X6  BMW X6  

 

Source: AutoWeek