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BMW is preparing to recreate its entire X family and the new-generation X5 is only part of the job. The BMW X5 was first launched in 1999, and 13 years later, it’s getting ready to enter its third generation to help keep up with the changing times. The redesigned SUV is rumored to make its world debut in 2014 at the Detroit Auto Show. BMW will mostly focus on reducing the X5’s total weight and improving the final performance figures for its new generation. It is rumored that BMW plans to reduce the SUV’s total weight by about 330 pounds, but it will still be offered with the latest technologies, like a lane-departure warning and compensation system, night vision, park assist, traffic-sign recognition, surround-view cameras, and active cruise control. The new X5 will be offered with two new four-cylinder engines and the most powerful version will still get a 4.4-liter V-8 engine with improved power figures and a increased fuel economy. It is also rumored that BMW is planning a plug-in hybrid version. As for the exterior design, it will be more an evolution of the current car as opposed to a revolution. Updated 04/25/2013: Another image of the new X5 (above) has surfaced online and this time it looks like more than just a simple rendering. So, if this is really a leaked image of the next X5 it can mean only one thing: the official debut is getting closer. (bp.blogspot) Updated 5/24/2013: A slick person with an HD camera phone managed to catch the X5 with very little camo to hide its goodies. Thanks to a tip from a reader, we now have this HD video and a few screen shots of all the good stuff after the jump. Things are looking good for the new X5, really good... Hit the jump to read more about the new BMW X5. Spy Shots
A new video that was tipped to us shows all sorts of details; more than any spy shots ever could. This video shows off the sexy new front end that the X5 features, which includes: new lower air intakes; revised headlights that span all the way to the grille and the new kidney grille. We also get a good look at a new set of gill vents on the rear of the front fenders.  Additionally, the video shows off the lightly restyled taillights with new graphics, new trapezoidal tailpipes and a slightly reshaped rear hatch with what appears to be somewhat wider rear glass.  Unfortunately, the sly videographer tried to get a shot of the interior, but the glare on the glass prevents us from seeing too much. The steering wheel does look like it has a more prominent silver trim on the bottom of the horn pad, the wood insert on the passenger side is significantly larger than last year’s model and what we could see of the dash is certainly cleaner than last year’s model. Ordering Guide     Renderings As you can see from both the spy shots and the renderings we’ve made, the new X5 will follow the same design language we have seen in many of the recently launched BMW models. The new X5 will get a new set of headlamps that will go all the way to the SUV’s new slightly forward-slanting kidney grille - just like in the new 3-Series. The front bumper is also redesigned and gets larger air intakes. Up front, the hood will also be redesigned with more pronounced and sportier lines. For the rear, we expect to see the same rear lights in customary BMW L-shaped design, a new spoiler and bumper. History The BMW X5 initially arrived on the market back in 1999 as BMW’s first SUV. The first generation - internally known as the E53 - was built with Land Rover technology (back then BMW owned Land Rover). The X5 borrowed its Hill Descent System and Off Road Engine Management system from the Range Rover HSE and from the BMW 5-Series, it borrowed the engine and electronic system.  The second generation - or E70 - arrived in 2006. This time, the SUV was offered exclusively with BMW technology, including an iDrive system and, as a first for a BMW model, a third row option. During the second generation, more precisely in 2010, BMW also added an X5 M version. It offered a V-8 turbocharged engine delivering a total of 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, making this the most powerful X5 ever. comments powered by Disqus |
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