It’s the start of a big testing week for BMW at the Nurburgring, where we’ve just spied the next generation BMW X5 M (F15) in testing. Check out the photos inside. Expect the X5M as a 2015 model year.

We’ve just spied the next generation BMW X5 M prototype beginning its testing! Although still clad in full camouflage, signature M features leave no doubt that we are looking at the next X5 M.

The most conspicuous items are the quad M exhausts, active differential and blue brake calipers, which have become the signature color for M model brakes (i.e. F10 M5 and F12/F13 M6). Seen behind the blue M brakes are drilled rotors, the first for any X5 model. Hiding behind the front end camouflage are huge air intakes and we get a very clear look at how the headlights will connect to the kidney grilles, in the same fashion as on the F30 3 Series.

This prototype comes just 6 months after the regular F15 X5 … CONTINUED

Automobile speculates on and previews the next generation X5 and X6, which they’ve labeled as 2014 models and placed their debut of the X5 at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, with the X6 to debut six months later.

So what can we expect for the third generation X5 and second generation X6? Read on…