• BMW
  • X5 4.6iS
  • Media
  • For a long time there were rumours of an M-version of the X5 with the E39 M5 engine. For various reasons the project never materialized so instead BMW borrowed Alpina´s design for 4,6 litre V8 from the E39 B10 V8. This engine entered BMW production as the M62B46 engine.

    The X5 HP was presented at the Detroit Autoshow in 2001 and went into production in late 2001 as the X5 4,6iS. The engine produces 347bhp, exactly the same as the Mercedes ML55 AMG, with 480Nm of torque. It´s only available with a 5-speed automatic gearbox. Performance was comparable with 0-100 km/h in 6,5 seconds and a top speed of over 240km/h. The 4.6iS version of the X5 can be recognized by its huge 20in wheels with 275/40 tires at front and 315/35 at rear.

    Together with the facelifted E53 X5 at IAA 2003, the X5 4.6iS was updated to the X5 4.8iS. Contrary to expectations, the X5 4.8iS does not use Alpina’s 4.8 liter V8 from the B10 V8 S and Roadster V8, but has the N62B48 engine from the later E60 550i.