A camo'ed 2015 BMX X5 M was just spotted at an apartment complex near BMW's factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The SUV's shape is no shocker... but a peek inside revealed something very interesting indeed; a warning (or a challenge?) to the driver, printed on the steering wheel with a label maker: "MAX SPEED: 300 KMH."
That's a tad over 186 MPH, in American. The outgoing 2013 X5 M was good for 159 MPH, making this a pretty substantial jump. Seems like most BMW M cars are getting electronic limiters at 174 MPH, so I imagine that's where BMW will dial the production version of the SUV to.
But there's no mistaking the text here; whether that little sticker is referring to the X5 M's maximum speed or just how fast the test driver's allowed to take it, 186 is crazy-quick.
As Steve Siler reported for Car & Driver, the new X5 M is coming in hot at the end of this year featuring a turbo 4.4 liter V8 "with output of nearly 600 horsepower and well over 500 lb-ft of torque" and an eight-speed flappy-paddle gearbox.
The old X5 M could sprint from 0-60 in four seconds. I'm expecting nothing short of greatness with an extra fifty horsepower.
Thanks to Maximilian for sending in these photos!