BMW M’s next-generation V8 spied – and it could be its last

The V8 engine said to be powering the 2023 BMW XM and next-generation M5 has been spied more than a year before it’s expected to go into production.

The image, posted on forum Bimmerpost, is claimed to be from the upcoming BMW XM – also referred to as the X8 M – and has a number of clues to make this an exciting discovery.

The badging clearly shows this is a high-performance engine from BMW’s M division, while the dual air intakes indicate this is indeed a V8.

Perhaps more telling are the bright orange cables at the top of the engine bay – typically reserved for high-voltage lines found in hybrid vehicles.

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In August, the UK’s Autocar published information from unnamed sources pointing to both the XM and M5 being powered by a plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V8 engine, producing as much as 560kW.

Rumours suggested the new powertrain will be an evolution of the brand’s current twin-turbo V8 found in the M5 (among others), but mated to a 150kW electric motor to aid performance and offer electric-only driving.

Along with the M5, expect the engine to make its way into a new high-performance M7 model based on the 7 Series, following a report from CarBuzz in August showing BMW has trademarked the name – along with M9.

With a number of BMW’s key competitors already signalling their intention to go all-electric by 2030 – and lawmakers overseas eyeing a ban on internal-combustion engines by 2035 – it’s possible we could be looking at the last petrol V8 engine from the marque.

The spy photo shows significant bracing within the engine bay itself, which is expected to greatly improve chassis stiffness and handling – strongly suggesting the vehicle is the much-anticipated flagship SUV from BMW M.

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As previously reported, the XM is expected to come as standard with a limited-slip differential, dark blue sports brakes, sports seats, colour-coded seat belts, carbon-fibre trim, and alloy wheels up to 23 inches in diameter.

A well-placed source has also suggested the model will receive “next-level” driving assistance technology in mid-2023.

According to BMWBlog, the BMW XM is set to be unveiled on November 29, but Wheels understands the model won’t enter production until late 2022 for an Australian arrival in early 2023.

As for the M5, it’s expected the next-generation model will arrive in 2024, adopting BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ concept and based on the brand’s modular CLAR platform.