More muscle in BMW X5 and X6?

According to the German "Auto Motor und Sport" magazine, BMW are planning M-version of the X5 and X6, apparently to hit the streets by the end of 2009. The question is if these kind of cars won't be more or less dead by then, killed by soaring fuel prices and politics.

If not, the M-models of the X-series cars will probably be fitted with a powered up version of the double turbo V8 that delivers 407 hp today. And last but not least, they will be the first M-models with four-wheel drive. A necessary addition to the X-family? By no means. A lot of politically incorrect fun? Absolutely.