Someone must have gotten lazy at the Nordschleife and didn't remember to cover up the new nose on the twin-turbocharged V8-powered 2010 BMW X5. In this latest round of spy shots from the folks at KGP, we can clearly see the dramatic, M3-inspired front air dam and big new wheels to match the upgraded styling. This marks the second application for the twin-turbo eight cylinder which debuted in the BMW X6, and in the X5 it will be making 408 HP and providing a 0-60 time of just 5.5 seconds. The one thing it won't be doing is wearing the "M" badge. Check out the full spy report after the jump.
BMW's high-performance-but-not-quite-M-worthy X5 prototype has now shown more of its face, free from its normal frontal camouflage. The once-mysterious X5 program has now become much clearer with today's photos, and some earlier engine shots revealing what appears to be a twin-turbocharged V8.
The hot X5's front fascia uses all of the cues consistent with BMW's Motorsport division, but sources report that an M-badged X5 is not in the cards — the X5's weight, height, and packaging are just too compromised for a proper M-car. But by the looks and sounds of this turbocharged V8 model as it circled the 'Ring, it will certainly give the top Porsche Cayenne some serious competition.