Arguably, one of the best new BMW X5s you can buy this year is the all-new BMW X5 M50d. One of the two models built under the M Performance Automobile division – the other being the future M50i – the M50d is powered by a quad-turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-six diesel, packing 400 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. It will be able to get from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds, which is only a couple of tics behind the BMW X3 M40i, despite being quite a lot heavier.
These figures are possible thanks to a multi-stage turbocharging system composed of two high-pressure and two low-pressure turbochargers delivering over 450Nm of torque. In normal driving situations, both low-pressure turbochargers and one of the two high-pressure units are permanently active. The second high-pressure turbocharger only joins in when the engine speed tops 2,500rpm.
Under hard acceleration from idle, flaps are adjusted so the pair of low-pressure turbochargers can be swiftly bypassed, thereby generating maximum charge pressure with even less delay. To boost the turbocharging system’s efficiency, exhaust gas recirculation is employed for both the high-pressure and low-pressure stages and the common-rail direct injection system capable of generating pressures in excess of 2,500 bar. The new BMW X5 M50d has a combined fuel consumption of 41.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 179g/km.
All X5 engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive as standard. The BMW X5 M50d’s xDrive all-wheel drive system is very rear-biased under normal conditions, to allow the X5 to feel a bit sportier and more agile.
Standard specification for the new BMW X5 M50d includes model-specific kinematics and elastokinematics for the wheel suspension, individual spring and damper tuning, plus 22-inch M light-alloy wheels. This bespoke configuration increases the BMW M Performance model’s agility and steering precision, enables faster cornering and optimises its transitional responses.
For now, BMW has yet to make a decision on whether the M50d will arrive in America, but most of the rest of the world will get to enjoy this marvelous piece of tech.
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