en.Wedoany.com Reported - BMW held the global debut of the fifth-generation X5 at its plant in Greer, South Carolina, and confirmed that the next-generation high-performance BMW X5 M will continue to be powered by a V8 engine, dispelling external speculation about the discontinuation of this classic powertrain.

The all-new X5 adopts the Neue Klasse family design language, with its vehicle architecture prioritized for compatibility with pure electric powertrains while reserving space for fuel and hybrid systems. It can accommodate powertrains including pure electric, plug-in hybrid, fuel, and hydrogen power. BMW has not fully electrified its M performance flagship, as the V8 engine will remain in the product lineup.

Against the backdrop of accelerating electrification, the industry had widely speculated that the X5 M would switch to pure electric power, with an iX5 M replacing the fuel-powered V8 version. Following the official statement, this assumption has been overturned, and retaining the eight-cylinder engine has become a key move for BMW to balance the transition to electrification with the demand for fuel performance in the market.

The current BMW X5 M on sale is equipped with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, supplemented by a 48V mild hybrid system as auxiliary power. The entire system delivers a combined maximum output of 617 horsepower and a peak torque of 750 Nm, paired with a dedicated M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The 48V mild hybrid system only serves as a starter generator and provides a minor power boost, with the electric motor contributing an additional 12 horsepower, while the core power output is handled by the V8 internal combustion engine.

Regarding the powertrain of the next-generation X5 M, BMW has not disclosed complete technical specifications. Industry insiders speculate that the new model is unlikely to adopt a pure fuel layout and will instead upgrade to a V8 plug-in hybrid combination. Referring to the powertrain architecture of BMW's existing flagship M model, the XM Label, its 4.4T V8 engine is paired with a 197-horsepower electric motor, delivering a combined output of up to 738 horsepower for the entire plug-in hybrid system. This mature high-performance plug-in hybrid powertrain could potentially be adapted for the new X5 M. BMW officially stated that complete powertrain specifications and tuning data will not be disclosed until a later date, and at this stage, only the retention of the V8 internal combustion engine has been confirmed.

As global automakers accelerate the phase-out of large-displacement fuel engines and fully transition to electrification, BMW's decision to retain the V8 engine for the X5 M sends a clear product strategy signal: the brand will not abruptly abandon its fuel-powered high-performance product line and will continue to offer fuel or hybrid high-performance options for consumers who value internal combustion engines and large-displacement driving dynamics. This V8 plug-in hybrid route also serves as a compromise solution for BMW's M division to balance emissions regulations, performance demands, and user preferences.