Last week, the world watched as the latest X5 made its official debut at Plant Spartanburg where BMW’s most popular product line has been assembled since 1999. This latest generation may be the brand’s most versatile X5, ever, too, in terms of powertrain flexibility—across all markets, there are hybridized gasoline and diesel, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and even hydrogen fuel cell variants planned to all bolt up beneath its bodywork. However, in the scramble of highlighting what the immediate future holds during the official press event, one detail was seemingly left out: will there be a new model with an M badge?
In the press release, there is a brief mention of a V-8-powered model wearing an M Performance badge debuting sometime in 2027. But what about a full-fat M? We decided to seek clarification while sitting down with BMW North America’s Jay Hanson, Product and Technology Spokesperson, and John Kelly, Product Manager of Luxury Class, Alpina, and M. They were understandably tight-lipped about any specifics regarding future products. But they did highlight what makes the new X5 special in general, particularly in regards to its dynamics.
Any Clear Indications?
“There’s so much that’s been learned in four generations, now moving into the fifth,” Kelly told us. “Back in 1999 we created the Sports Activity Vehicle with the intention of taking everything people love about SUVs—the versatility, cargo capacity—and giving it sedan-like dynamics. [In the new X5] we have an outrageously dynamic vehicle that’s so much fun to drive.” He pointed to the revised suspension geometry, adaptive dampers as standard, optional air suspension, and 48V active roll stabilization—the latter effectively cancels out roll under cornering yet loosens up for straight line comfort. In his eyes, customers are looking for a more dynamic product when they choose the X5 over its segment competitors. So, the platform is definitely primed for an M badge.
Kelly and Hanson reiterated that any specific details pertaining to the V-8-equipped model won’t be shared until 2027. It will, however, be in the M Performance M60E X5, and they noted that doing a V-8 is the wisest choice for the North American market. It remains to be seen whether other markets will get this exact powertrain, too.
Hanson also pointed out the fact that there is a future for M in general, especially with electrification. This was recently highlighted by the brand’s unveiling of a fully electric concept at Le Mans, which is expected (but not confirmed) to be the new battery electric M3.
So, no particular tidbits about a future, fully M X5. But to hedge a bit: what if one does indeed debut and possibly even replace a current M model built on the same production line?
The XM Question
Based on sales figures published by Good Car Bad Car, the XM hasn’t exactly lit the high-performance SUV market on fire. There’s been some ebb and flow in its U.S. sales numbers since its debut in spring 2023. As of March of this year, only 10 months have seen sales figures above 200 units. On the flipside, X5 sales numbers during the same period have rarely dipped below 5000 units per month, again per data on Good Car Bad Car.
So, could the XM’s decline indicate that it’s on the way out, and, thus, the new X5 gets its twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 and accompanying plug-in hybrid system? The 2026 X5 M Competition already has the 4.4 but with a 48v mild hybrid setup—making it a PHEV setup in the new generation seems like a shoe-in.
Overall, it seems like a wise move. Only time will tell how well the new X5 moves off of dealer lots, but even the X5’s worst-selling months since its original incarnation are substantially higher than any of the XM’s. Then, with tightening emissions standards across the globe that’s helping grow the battery electric market, BMW could be looking to trim the fat (which may or may not be a knock against the XM’s curb weight) and simplify its gasoline-powered lineup.
A V-8 will be here, we’re assured M has a future, the XM’s sales numbers aren’t great (which is putting it politely), and the XM’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is already primed to satisfy regulators. This is all hedging, but we have a feeling that a new X5 M has a strong possibility of being part of the lineup at some point in the not-too-distant future.
