BMW X5, X7 M50d eliminated from Australian line-up for a short time

BMW Australia has been forced to stop taking orders for the quad-turbo X5 and X7 M50d for a short period of time, making it off a diesel flagship for its huge SUVs, but officials have said that the M50d will eventually be back on sales. At the current moment, the M50d accounts for almost 12 percent of X7 sales and 16 percent of X5 sales. 

Talking about the powertrain, both the X7 and X5 M50d models come equipped with a 3.0-litre inline-six diesel engine including four turbochargers, which is capable of churning out putting out a maximum power of 394 hp and a massive peak torque of 760Nm. The motor comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive. The X5 is capable enough to achieve the 0 to 100 kmph sprint in just 5.2 seconds, while X7 does the same in 5.4 seconds. 

A bulletin said that factors beyond the carmaker's control mean the X5 and X7 M50d will "no longer be proposed for production with direct effect". It even says there's sufficient parts inventory to manufacture a 'small number' of X5 M50d models – sufficient enough to satisfy current orders – before Australian production freezes, but urges sellers to avoid taking any more orders.

BMW Australia announced in a statement "Production capacity on X5 M50d and X7 M50d due to global demand has brought about the situation. We have just commenced production on X5 M50i and X7 M50i which will help alleviate any shortage." The M50i that was announced in May this year comes with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8, which puts out 523 hp of maximum power and 750Nm of peak torque.