The New 2020 BMW X5 M50i and BMW X7 M50i Sports Activity Vehicles

Richmond Hill, ON. Today, BMW is pleased to introduce two new M Performance models, the BMW X5 M50i and BMW X7 M50i, which join the X5 and X7 lineups this fall when production begins in BMW Plant Spartanburg, SC. 

Both models feature the new top version of the N63 4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8 engine backed by an eight-speed sport automatic transmission, BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive , M Sport differential, M Sport exhaust system and model-specific M GmbH suspension tuning.

Offering true sports car performance, both BMW Sports Activity Vehicles offer excellent handling and traction across varied surfaces and weather conditions complemented by luxurious interior appointments and the same towing capabilities as their non-M Performance siblings.

Power and performance

The latest generation of the 4.4-liter eight-cylinder engine features numerous detailed improvements. Two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling located within the V-shaped space between the cylinder banks, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing all form part of the M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology package which delivers 523 hp between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 – 4,600 rpm.  An increase of 67 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque over the X5 xDrive50i and X7 xDrive50i models.

A new aluminium alloy has been used to increase the strength of the engine block. The wire-arc sprayed iron coating for the cylinder walls serves to reduce frictional losses. Reinforced, Grafal-coated pistons and optimized piston rings are designed to endure the stress on the crank drive that comes with the extra output and torque. To enhance engine smoothness, torsional vibration is minimized with the help of a viscous damper on the crankshaft.

The BMW X5 M50i accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds with the larger X7 M50i close behind at 4.6 seconds. Both vehicles feature electronically limited top speeds of 210 km/h when equipped with all-season tires and 250 km/h when equipped with summer performance tires.

Eight-speed Sport Automatic transmission

Shift paddles on the steering wheel allow for quick manual gear selection, while a Launch Control function allows for accelerating from a standing start with maximum available traction.

xDrive all-wheel drive with M Sport rear differential.

BMW’s rear-biased xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, found in the X5 M50i and X7 M50i, is able to split drive-torque between the front and rear wheels with great speed and precision. Full power can be directed automatically by the system to the rear wheels in situations where all-wheel drive traction is not required.

The standard electronically controlled rear M Sport differential helps support dynamic driving by optimizing the transfer of power to the road in all driving situations. Managed by the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system, the locking function for the rear differential improves traction and power delivery when driving over road surfaces with differing levels of grip for the left-rear and right-rear wheels by reducing wheel spin when a specific tire is struggling for traction.

Chassis and Suspension

The BMW X5 M50i and X7 M50i models feature a double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension that has been painstakingly gone over by M GmbH. This setup provides the best balance of exceptional traction on rough terrain and excellent dynamic response and ride comfort on pavement. The bushings, spring and damper settings have all been tuned to complement the new models’ increased power and performance.

The BMW X5 M50i is equipped with the Adaptive M Suspension while the BMW X7 M50i is equipped with a two-axle adaptive air suspension system (optional on the X5 M50i) which allows for a 20 mm lowering of ride height when in Sport mode or when speeds exceed 72 km/h. The driver may also increase vehicle ride height of adaptive air suspension equipped vehicles by 40 mm for greater ground clearance when required.

Wheels, Tires and Brakes

Both models are equipped with large M Sport Brakes featuring two-piece, lightweight compound brake disks with blue painted calipers and M logos.

The BMW X5 M50i is equipped with standard 22 inch Cerium Grey M V-spoke, light alloy wheels shod with 275/40R22 performance non run-flat tires. Optional wheel and tire packages include 21 inch wheels with 275/40R21 front and 315/35R21 performance run-flat tires and 22 inch wheels with 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear performance run-flat tires.

The BMW X7 M50i comes equipped with standard 22 inch Cerium Grey M V-spoke light alloy wheels with 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 performance non run-flat tires. Options include bi-color 22 inch wheels and 21 inch wheels mounted with 285/45R21 all-season run-flat tires.

M Performance design and features

The new BMW X5 M50i and X7 M50i models feature front bumpers with larger openings to allow for greater air flow to the cooling system. The rocker panels and rear bumpers have been sculptured to set the models apart from the rest of the line. BMW Individual high-gloss Shadowline trim and Cerium Grey highlight selected individual exterior components.

Interior features include; door sill plates feature an illuminated “M50i” logo, M leather steering wheel, gear selector with M logo, Vernasca perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, Anthracite headliner in the X5 M50i and Alcantara Anthracite headliner in the X7 M50i.

Standard and optional equipment

Standard equipment includes:

·         22 inch wheels with performance non run-flat tires

·         M Sport Brakes

·         M Sport Differential

·         Adaptive M Suspension

·         Two-axle air suspension on the X7 M50i

·         Adaptive Full LED lights with Automatic high beams on the X5 M50i

·         Icon Adaptive LED with Laserlight on the X7 M50i

·         Active Driving Assistant

·         Multi-contour sport seats

·         Harman Kardon Surround sound system

·         Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7

·         Apple car Play compatibility

·         WiFi hotspot

·         Wireless charging

Selected optional equipment includes:

·         Crystal Controls

·         Two-axle air suspension on the X5 M50i

·         Trailer hitch (3,265 kg / 7,200 lb rating X5 M50i and 3,400 kg / 7,500 lb rating X7 M50i)

·         Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Audio System

·         Dynamic Handling Package – Integral Active steering and Adaptive M suspension professional with Active Roll Stabilization.

·         Driving Assistance Professional - Extended Traffic Jam Assistance for limited access highways, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Active Lane Keeping Assistant with side collision avoidance, Automatic Lane Change, Evasion Assistant and front cross traffic alert.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional: Seventh generation of BMW iDrive

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional combines a new display and control concept and the ultimate in connectivity to create a superb all-round package. The latest-generation of the iDrive comprises a high-resolution digital 31.2 cm (12.3”) instrument cluster display behind the steering wheel and a similarly-sized center display. The system offers many hardware upgrades including new haptic controls on the iDrive controller, an advanced tablet-like touch interface, stunning visualizations, and the largest displays available in a BMW. The multi-modal approach of the iDrive touch controller, large touchscreen center display, cloud based voice control, and gesture control allow users to interact in the way of their choosing.  

The seventh incarnation of iDrive has a cutting-edge, fully-digital design and is geared more closely to the driver’s needs by allowing them to tailor the system to their own preferences with customizable widgets of information. This new level of personalization is then stored in the BMW cloud and can follow the customer to other BMW vehicles. Information from categories such as driving, entertainment, navigation, connectivity, and from the vehicle info itself, can be selected in nearly any combination in any of four layouts on the Center Display. Multiple pages can be created and easily accessed with a simple swipe across the screen with a finger.

Other elements of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional are the Navigation Professional system, a hard-drive-based multimedia system with 20 GB of memory and six USB ports, plus Bluetooth interfaces. The driver can be automatically detected and personal settings activated either using the traditional vehicle key or by downloading the driver’s personal settings from the BMW Cloud.

A collection of bundled digital services will be offered as the Connected Package Professional. The Connected Package Professional provides Remote Services, Concierge Services, On-Street Parking Information, and Real Time Traffic Information for the first 4 years of ownership. This package allows easy integration and adaptation of new technology over time. Customers can continue to download various new digital services individually as they become available or renew existing services via the ConnectedDrive Store.