It’s pretty widely expected BMW will replace its 4.8-liter V8 (which powers everything from the 550i to X5) with its new 4.4-liter turbocharged V8, which first appeared in the X6. It looks like the crossover’s nearest sibling, the X5, will be the next vehicle to receive the powerplant, as evidenced by a new round of spy photos.

Just as we suspected, BMW has started extreme durability testing in the southwestern part of the United States,... // LeftLane News

The BMW X5 shares much of its chassis with the X6, so there's no reason why the X6 shouldn't share its 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 with the X5. In the X6, this engine is rated at 400 hp.

This prototype was spied undergoing hot-weather testing in the southwest United States. Note how BMW engineers used black mesh on the front bumper to conceal some extra cooling ducts.

We expect the twin-turbo equipped X5 to make its formal debut later this... // AutoWeek