BMW X5 And X6 Gain xDrive40d Version With Mild-Hybrid Diesel

If you fire up BMW's German configurator, you'll notice there's a rather large gap between the xDrive30d and M50d versions of the X5 and X6 SUVs. The lesser version has 261 horsepower and 457 pound-feet (620 Newton-meters) of torque whereas the M Performance diesel packs 394 hp and a massive 561 lb-ft (760 Nm). The Bavarians are now addressing this issue with the launch of an xDrive40d that effectively bridges the gap.

Powered by a straight-six 3.0-liter diesel with two-stage turbocharging, the two SUVs offer an ample 335 hp at 4,400 rpm and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque available from just 1,750 rpm. Corroborated with the temporary 11-hp boost offered by the mild-hybrid system, the two SUVs need only 5.5 seconds to complete the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint. Both come equipped as standard with xDrive linked to an eight-speed Steptronic gearbox.

The launch of an xDrive40d could be more important in the long run seeing as how BMW has basically said the quad-turbo diesel reserved to the M50d is living on borrowed time. The German marque says the diesel monster is too complicated and expensive to produce. The latest intel suggests the engine will be gradually phased out starting from this summer, with the M550d, 750d, and 750Ld set to get the proverbial axe first. The X5 M50d, X6 M50d, and the X7 M50d are apparently next in line.

If that's going to be the case, it means the newly announced xDrive40d will eventually serve as the range-topping diesel variant for the two BMW SUVs. You'll be missing out on 59 hp and 45 lb-ft (60 Nm), but the new diesel should significantly undercut the M50d available from €94,600 in Germany for the X5 M50d.

BMW will have the two new SUV variants on sale in Europe from May.