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Because the first-generation X5 celebrates its twenty fifth anniversary this month, what higher strategy to mark the milestone than by exploring probably the most radical iteration of the E53. Whereas the 7 Sequence and eight Sequence have been the agency’s solely manufacturing fashions to obtain the V12 remedy, there was a hardcore SUV with twelve cylinders of energy.
Launched in March 2000, the X5 Le Mans takes heart stage in an prolonged walkaround video of the one-of-a-kind idea. Beneath its vented carbon fiber hood sits the identical 6.1-liter V12 engine because the Le Mans-winning V12 LMR. A enjoyable truth – the tremendous SUV was truly extra highly effective, packing over 700 hp, whereas the endurance racer was dialed right down to 580 hp with air consumption limiters to fulfill rules.
The X5 Le Mans was all about staggering numbers, and never simply its horsepower. It boasted a colossal 720 Newton-meters (531 pound-feet) of torque and will speed up from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.7 seconds. Flat out, it was formally rated at 173 mph (278 km/h). Nonetheless, race driver Hans-Joachim Caught drove the beefy SUV in a lighter two-seat configuration in June 2001 when he hit 193 mph (311 km/h).
The prolonged video takes us contained in the cabin the place the V12 SUV has retained the two-seat format. Thoughts you, even the four-seat configuration featured bucket seats within the again. Extra importantly, we’re reminded that it had a six-speed guide gearbox. The X5 Le Mans was no ballerina, tipping the scales at 4,695 kilos (2,130 kilograms) even after implementing a sequence of weight-saving measures. It sat on unique 20-inch BBS LM wheels and was lowered by 1.18 inches (30 millimeters) by the M division.
Even should you’re within the anti-SUV crowd, it’s practically unimaginable to not recognize what the engineers did to the X5. Placing a V12 engine from an endurance race automobile that gained Le Mans in 1999 into an SUV was a stroke of genius. It’s simply too dangerous a manufacturing model didn’t occur.
As a reminder, the E53 era maxed out with the 4.8is outfitted with a naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V8 making 355 hp. It wasn’t till the second-gen mannequin (E70) that BMW launched a full-fat X5 M with a twin-turbo V8 dialed to 547 hp.
Supply: CarRanger / YouTube
First revealed by https://www.bmwblog.com
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