BMW officially anounces the new X5

Its predecessor paved the way for a brand-new type of vehicle. Now the new BMW X5 raises the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) driving experience to an even higher standard. Powerful eight- and six-cylinder engines, unique suspension, enhanced BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, as well as a weight-optimized bodyshell with extreme torsional stiffness all interact to ensure excellent agility and dynamic performance

The new BMW X5 is the only vehicle in its segment available with both Active Steering, developed by BMW, and AdaptiveDrive (a combination of Active Roll Stabilization and Electronic Damping Control). It is also the first SAV fitted with runflat tires as standard equipment. The powerful elegance of the exterior design, just like the flexible and elegant interior, clearly underlines the dynamic character of the new BMW X5.

The new X5 will be available in the U.S. with either a 4.8-liter V8 capable of 350 horsepower or a 3.0-liter inline-six with 260 horsepower.

The all-new X5 has all the attributes that made the original Sports Activity Vehicle such an innovative concept, and elevates them to new standards.

The interior of the original X5 was one of its hallmarks. The interior in the new BMW X5 combines the most sophisticated materials with numerous innovative options, thus a first-class ambience.

With sales of approximately 580,000 units worldwide since its launch in 1999, the BMW X5 has become an outstanding global success and still enjoys great popularity to this day. Of course the U.S. is the market where the X5 has had the greatest impact. Over 240,000 BMW X5s have been sold in the U.S. alone.

As it was with the original, the goal was to offer the customer a generously dimensioned, luxuriously appointed and, at the same time, highly robust premium vehicle. With BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive and greater ground clearance the X5 possesses all the requirements for venturing out on rough terrain. By combining these attributes with outstanding on-road driving dynamics, BMW has initiated a completely new trend in the global vehicle market.

Characteristic seating position, flexible interior. The new BMW X5 is 7.4 inches longer than its predecessor. However, the body designers have maintained the typical proportions of BMW’s outstanding SAV, as well as the overall sporting character of the vehicle. The extra size only becomes apparent at first glance within the interior of the new BMW X5.

Significant ground clearance and the high, command seating position continue to characterize the unique driving experience. At the same time the interior is even more flexible than before and, for the first time, allows the integration of an optional, third row of seats. Just as with the original, the interior of the new X5 is characterized by premium flair and a wide range of features which set new standards for vehicles in this segment.

JCF110 - 8/8/2006 10:17:14 AM

+1 Boost

Whats wrong with those rear lights?

M53R - 8/8/2006 10:32:13 AM

+1 Boost

that their cool!!!

SixxFive - 8/8/2006 10:38:01 AM

+4 Boost

Wow! Great design....clean, simple yet agressive. Can't wait to see one in person.

Carboy - 8/8/2006 10:59:30 AM

+1 Boost

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

nybimmer - 8/8/2006 11:12:29 AM

+1 Boost

Wow...this is the most significant new product to be introduced in the last 3 yrs - it even blows away the new Merc S-550 from a significance and innovation standpoint.

BMW is definitely the innovation company.

They are going to have to put an addition onto their Spartanburg, SC factory because people are going to be lining up to get theirs. Game over Q7, GL450, ML350, and various Lexi's - pack it up and go home.

Bravo BMW!!!!!!

UnkleFunkle - 8/8/2006 11:16:03 AM

+3 Boost

Is it just me, or does this look smaller than the current X5? It looks like an X3 refresh to me. I think the most telling of the pictures is the last one in the second row. The driver makes the vehicle looks smaller. Again, it may just be me.

nybimmer - 8/8/2006 11:16:38 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry forgot - game over Cayenne and Touregg too.

Good thing most SUV people lease their trucks - their leasing companies will get stuck with the worthless 3-yr old SUV's once the residuals take the hit from the popular new X-5.

Go BMW!!!!

Chip - 8/8/2006 11:23:34 AM

0 Boost

BMW just pulled out a shot-gun on Audi.

The Q7 wasnt even out a year before it was destroyed.

Who would buy that school bus now?

This thing is gorgeous inside and out.

razzy23 - 8/8/2006 11:34:25 AM

+1 Boost

shot gun absolutely. This thing is STUNNUNG BEAUTIFUL. WOW im very impressed, especially with the rear of the car. Cant wait to see it in person. It looks wider and closer to the ground. a real machine!! Great Job BMW. (as always)

nybimmer - 8/8/2006 12:02:01 PM

+2 Boost

Anybody recognize where the photos were taken - I can't really read it - it seems to say "Lighthouse Museum" - looks like something coastal in Rhode Island or perhaps one of the Great Lakes towns in Michigan or Wisconsin.

Please, help, its bugging me that I can't recognize the location.

RedCalipers - 8/8/2006 12:11:28 PM

0 Boost

OMG...just when i thought the exterior was smashing...the interior takes it a step further! Sell all the cars and get this!

BMWRocks - 8/8/2006 12:36:22 PM

0 Boost

I think my name tells it all. BMW ROCKS !!!!

Storm9 - 8/8/2006 12:41:07 PM

+1 Boost

Amazing! Absolutely stunning!

The aging X5 is back!

Best SUV out of all the competitors

ElSparquito - 8/8/2006 12:51:12 PM

+1 Boost

By far one of my favorite SUV designs by any automaker. Bravo BMW!

Rupert - 8/8/2006 1:09:46 PM

+1 Boost

YAY BMW
you didn't ruin it. and it looks really good.
nice interior (3rd row seats look quite good with that centre console) looks upmarket and cool.
i'm an audi fan but this blows the q7 out of the water, looks better, drives better. and for a 7 seater it doesn't look stretched, even if it is an "occassional" 7 seater.
i love it. when i want an suv, this will be it.

TVT01 - 8/8/2006 1:35:08 PM

+2 Boost

Seriously a great looking vehicle and a huge jump again in the field of SUVs. It seems that BMW really "gets" it witht he X5. It striked a perfect belnd of athletecism and sportiness while still being clearly a luxury car. It forgoes the comedy over the top look of somethingf like an FX-45 and makes the Q-& look likesome lumbering box truck.

I come from a point of view of owning and enjoying MANY brands, I am not some blind BMW loyalist... but man, they REALLY are on a roll. The new designs have ignited the company, broken all sales records and have produced some really incredible looking (and I would assume in this cas) driving vehicles. I LOVE the fact that some people do not get the new designs because that means they are doing everything correctly. Pushing forward, leaving convention and conservatism behind. BMW is not interested in becoming Cadillac or worse yet Oldsmobile. They are pushing the boundries while still remaing stable and not cartoony in any way.

Bravo on this one BIG TIME.

phaetonmeister - 8/8/2006 1:59:44 PM

+3 Boost

Just a quick question to all bashing the Q7.....how many of you have actually driven it? This X5 is very nice as is the Q7.....and the soon to come Q5...I just don't understand the bashing on this site?

AlexTx - 8/8/2006 2:08:27 PM

0 Boost

I'm glad to see that once again Audi came up with something that other brand copied.
Yep, I'm talking about the rail system in the trunk.
Audi invented it and won an award for it and lookey here...it's in the Beemer.
I like the rear, but the front is too X3.
On these pictures, some of the plastics look very cheap to me.

IamEvilHomer - 8/8/2006 2:13:35 PM

+1 Boost

It looks like the copied the specs of the Q7
7 seater , engine power , rear camera (flat design), rail system in trunk, I guess they can't copy the great Audi interior

OK BMW ROCKS I am going back to the audi rooms - i can see that you still make idiot statments/

RefuG - 8/8/2006 2:15:25 PM

+1 Boost

Anyone notice that last picture. I like.


G

2fas - 8/8/2006 2:19:01 PM

+1 Boost

STUNNING!! Finally a great design by BMW. It will DEFINITELY keep loyal X5 fans and blow away the competition. I am glad they did not do anything too radical to the design like with the 5-series. I guess BMW listened and learned by re-designing both this new X5 and new 3-series coupe true to it's lineage.

AlexTx - 8/8/2006 2:23:35 PM

+3 Boost

Current X5 owner may not want the new one as it will be too big for them.
And why can't BMW make a dash board that has all the same color??
There is no flowing lines...

Jay7 - 8/8/2006 2:55:37 PM

-4 Boost

I love the X5 but I still prefer the Escalade. The Escalade has more space, better interior, similar power/response, and it will be nearly 20k less. The Escalade may not be as sporty or handle as well, yet we are dealing with SUVs so I don't mind.

Rupert - 8/8/2006 3:04:30 PM

+2 Boost

escalade has a better interior?! (mouth hits floor)
jay7, some people actually care about fuel economy (boring i know) and having a car with real prestige.
oh i know instead of this, i'll buy a dining table and put wheels on it, it's exactly the same but costs less.

TVT01 - 8/8/2006 3:12:40 PM

+2 Boost

Someone asked if any of the posters have driven a Q7... yes I have. I have also defended it on this very site, it is a very nice vehicle and worthy of a second look. However (and of course htis is all opinion) is simply falls short of the X5 in terms of looks (inside and out) and I am guessing drivability as well. The specs of the BMW look great and they always drive extremely well so I have no reason to doubt this one will as well.

When I say the X5 is a nicer vehicle than the Q7 it is not saying the Q7 sucks or is bad or in fact is anything other than a very, very nice vehicle... it just means that there is something even nicer out there.

I agree 100% that I HATE these nut job brand loyalists who love EVERYTHING from one particular brand and NOTHING from everyone esle... that is closed minded thinking. But when something really strong comes along you have to aknowledge it. Thus is the case with this X5.

Jay7 - 8/8/2006 3:17:58 PM

0 Boost

Rupert,

You and I both know that an individual that purchases a vehicle which costs 50k or more does not care about fuel costs.

Further, I bet if BMW designed dining table with wheels and you would argue for its prestige b/c BMW built it.

RefuG - 8/8/2006 3:41:09 PM

+2 Boost

Even tho I like Escalade, you shouldn't even think of comparing X5 to Escalade. X5 is sort of like a linebacker, (slick, agile/fast) and Escalade is like an overweight sumo wrestler. As for interior, come on now Jay7, youre in your on world, stop ridin on 26 inch death wheels.


G

Rupert - 8/8/2006 4:02:35 PM

+2 Boost

jay7, 50k (dollars i'm assuming)is nothing in the uk. a 325 is more than 50k. an escalade over here is 90000 dollars. a land rover discovery (its made in britain for christsakes, why is it more over here?) is like 85000. fuel economy is a big concern for many of these buyers, why else do we get the e 220cdi or discovery 2.7tdv6? in america (where fuel is stupidly cheap, 3 dollars a gallon is nothing, we pay 5.5 at least) it represents less of a concern, but an escalade is still a pain on the wallet.
i'm not saying the escalade is a bad car (ridiculously good value for money, nothing can compare over here), i just don't think it is comprable to the x5, even with a 6speed gearbox (the yanks finally caught up with the rest of the world)
i'm not a huge bmw fan though, i just like this vehicle.

JCF110 - 8/8/2006 4:07:10 PM

+2 Boost

Check out tis cool video i made for the new car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjpPFvTGggE

M53R - 8/8/2006 4:27:46 PM

+2 Boost

nuthin can describe this beast......just awesome...

supermoto - 8/8/2006 4:48:28 PM

+2 Boost

Well, I am happy the car is non-Bangled up. Pretty nice vehicle but those wheels have got to go!

chewy - 8/8/2006 4:52:23 PM

+2 Boost

It looks pretty good. The third row looks to be the smallest that U have ever seen (except the RAV4/Mitsubishi Outlander) The shifter is also rediculous. Otherwise it isn't bad at all.

TVT01 - 8/8/2006 5:12:01 PM

+2 Boost

Wow, I just read the full official press release. BMW really has upped the ante pretty much across the board on this one. You get the sense that they are almost looking at the X5 as some sort of flagship vehicle or something. I say this because they are introducing lots of new technology on it (new to ANY car) and also lots of SUV firsts as well. It is REALLY tricked out in pretty much every category and they also are upping the luxury level.

Has anyone noticed the lack of a traditional golve box? I noticed a small button under the passenger side center console AC vent. My guess is that by pressing this the wood trim siwivels up to reveal the glove box.

Also, notice how there is no parking break, just like the transmission it is all electric now as well. Heads up display, even the fog lights swivel with the steering (as do the main lights of course)... it is a VERY well thought out machine. In fact my only concern now would be price. Surely this is going to be upped significantly from current prices.

chewy - 8/8/2006 5:14:33 PM

+1 Boost

TVT01

Sorry, but Audis have had electronic parking breakes for some time now.

audirevolution - 8/8/2006 5:18:46 PM

+1 Boost

i'll get this once my 2004 530i lease is up.
anyone know the pricing?

PM34231 - 8/8/2006 5:38:48 PM

+1 Boost

BMW has done a nice job to freshen up a best seller. Too bad it was not a compete redesign like BMW's other models were.
P.s. Escalade is in a class of its own. I love them.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 8/8/2006 5:40:42 PM

+3 Boost

Similar Power / Response from an Escalade ???????
Better Interior ?????
Look, lets not get silly here, there is a reason the Escalade is 20k cheaper, ITS BECAUSE ITS GOT ABOUT 20K WORTH OF INFERIOR PRODUCTS (Inside & Out).
And before you ask if i have driven the Escalade, I have and its Trash ( Most Brits & Europeans would agree with me ) It goes from A to B but Woe unto anyone who attempts to drive it hard. Vinyl made to look like leather and cheap chrome will never fool anyone outside the USA and there is loads of both inside the Escalade.
Bottom line, I have Driven almost all SUVs out there and I Fell in Love with the X5 from the first time I drove one. For On-Road Driving there is no Superior SUV. Those who do not Understand me can quote 0 - 60 times all you want but those who have driven the X5 know what I mean.
Personally im not too keen on this New Model but i will wait until i see it and get behind the wheel.

UnkleFunkle - 8/8/2006 5:42:20 PM

+2 Boost

Though I said this looks like an X3 refresh, there has been quite a stink made about the tailights and how they are the same. Please refer to:

http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent001/SP32-20060807-181245.jpg

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/futurevehicles/newx3/images.htm (Photo 6)

I don't think they are the same lights. The X3 has clear lights for the blinkers. Also the bright portion of the lights on the X3 runs from the bottom of the light on the door, to the middle of the light on the rear. I'm not sure if that makes a whole lot of sense....

As far as I can see, the lights are different.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 8/8/2006 5:47:37 PM

+2 Boost

I think the tail lights are of the same type found in the facelifted 7 series and New 3 series, If you look hard you will notice the Bulbs are Linear as opposed to the round bulbs you see in normal vehicles or LEDs. If i am correct the first time BMW used this type of lighting was in the Side indicator of the Z8.

chewy - 8/8/2006 5:51:36 PM

+2 Boost

Also, BMW went ahead and made their rear view camera work exactly like Audi's. Good decision BMW.

RefuG - 8/8/2006 5:54:55 PM

+3 Boost

Chewy... dont hate...appreciate.


G

TVT01 - 8/8/2006 6:00:07 PM

+2 Boost

>>>Sorry, but Audis have had electronic parking breakes for some time now.<<<

Chewy:

I never suggested that BMW invented the electronic parking break, nor did I suggest that Audi did not already use them. For that matter I think it is a small refinement anyway, but in conjunction with everything else on the new X5 the overall package is quite nice.

To argue that somehow BMW copied Audi on this or the rearview camera or the load rails is just silly and a losing argument. No one lives in a vaccum, all automotive companies pick and choose items previously used on other brands. Audi did not invent ANY of those items, they chose to use them after they saw them implimented elsewhere.

I have no doubt that BMW benchmarked Audi and many other brands and chose certain feautures from each while developing new ones as they saw fit. This is the same thing Audi does and ALL companies do.

Nor do I really care who "invented" what, all I care about is the end result and how well it drives, the quality of it and the practicality. The new (and for that matter the old) X5 are really superior examples of a very well created vehicle. If it was the identical vehicle but wore Audi rings it would be no less or more of a vehicle (well actually it may be a little less since it would not have free mainatainance). The point is that Audi makes great cars, so does BMW, so do many others. I judge on a vehicle by vehicle basis, not a company by company basis and certainly not a feature by feature basis. It is not about numbers or whoe created what, it is about overall packages and simply put, for me, this new X5 is simply far and away the best package of this type yet created.

IamEvilHomer - 8/8/2006 6:14:44 PM

+4 Boost

TV01

Funny how BMW fans don't care if BMW coppies Audi but if Audi copies BMW then I never hear the end of it

Guess what if it works then everyone will copy it. The TT and 5000 were the most copied cars in history.

Welcome to the family BMW

jfgz - 8/8/2006 6:42:42 PM

+1 Boost

Niceeeeee! The looks grow on you though!

quizz - 8/8/2006 7:05:59 PM

+4 Boost

??? I don't understand all the hoopla, the design is near IDENTICAL to the last generation X5. Other than being a little bigger and some minor cosmetic updates (equivalent to a mid-cycle refresh) there is absolutely nothing stylistically new about this car. The new ML clearly is different than the outgoing ML. Yes, the old X5 was attractive, so it is smart for BMW not to change too much, good move. But the way most of you guys are going on makes it sound like this next generation X5 is so different than the old one.

New 5 series was a leap in style, and so was the new 3 series. This X5 is not that much different than the 2006 X5.

RefuG - 8/8/2006 7:14:50 PM

+2 Boost

Homer, chewy and company I got something to tell you. DONT HATE...APRECIATE.


G

chewy - 8/8/2006 7:54:55 PM

+2 Boost

RefuG

How am I hating? I said that I like the overall shape, but something like the extremely tiny third row and the shifter are not very good. I also commented on some of the technology.

bimmerboy - 8/8/2006 8:40:47 PM

0 Boost

HOME RUN! Sweeeeet! Each new BMW released is getting better and better looking starting with the new 3 sedan, then coupe...not a fan of the 7, 6 and 5 Bangle products...corporate must be listening to the consumers that aren't fans of early Bangle products. The new 3 and X5 have Bangle design elements but so much more softened and better looking.

IamEvilHomer - 8/8/2006 9:18:25 PM

+1 Boost

RefuG - I feel like I am on Morry Povich when I listen to you ryme
I am starting to think that some people would like my turds if it had a BMW logo on it. They would be saying "wow that is the hottest design. I love the way it is taperd on both ends and the smell is like heven"

dbs800 - 8/8/2006 9:49:51 PM

+1 Boost

well they certianly copied audi on one major point. the interior of the driver's door is different in design than the passenger's.

dbs800 - 8/8/2006 9:50:14 PM

+1 Boost

re: q7

mstangpny07 - 8/8/2006 10:07:45 PM

-1 Boost

AMAZING.....but I don't think the 3.0si can crank out enough power. My guess they put in a new i six engine in a few years or pump up the hp. Unfourtantly, it can't touch the Infiniti FX in terms of power.
FX35=280 hp X5 3.0si=260 hp....and it's heavier

FX45=320 hp 0-60 @ 6.3 sec X5 4.8i =350 hp 0-60 @ 6.4 sec

OUCH....but the new X5 blows it away in everything else.

S4Super - 8/8/2006 10:14:25 PM

+1 Boost

I like the rear lights and the interior. Looks good!

cynic - 8/8/2006 10:17:20 PM

+1 Boost

Why am I so underwhelmed? Is everyone so excited about this because BMW didn't f@*k this one up? The interior is not interesting either, same old BMW bag of tricks, overstyled, and the buttons are too small.

TVT01 - 8/8/2006 11:12:33 PM

+3 Boost

>>>Funny how BMW fans don't care if BMW coppies Audi but if Audi copies BMW then I never hear the end of it <<<

Homer:

I can't speak for other "BMW fans" but I have NEVER posted that Audi has copied BMW on anything, in fact I have defended Audi on several posts. I have owned and driven BOTH the 5000 and the TT, so I am FAR from some sort of Audi hater. Fact is I love Audi products, i think by and lartge it is a GREAT company.

With that said I still feel that the X5 is far superior to the Q7 and pretty much any other SUV at the moment. Again, this is not to say that the Q7 and many others are not also great, I just prefer the X5.

Soem brands liek Infiniti I so want to like. I have come close to purchasing and FX45 on two different occasions and both times opted for the X5 because damn it, it is about a lot more than statistics to me. The FX just feels cheap to me. The refresh is much nicer than the original (in terms of quality materials) but it still FAR removed from either Audi or BMW. My point here is that again, I try and judge vehicles as individuals, I don't really care if it says Audi or Infiniti or what have you. I care that it is quality... and this X5 CLEARLy is.

mstangpny07 - 8/8/2006 11:19:29 PM

+1 Boost

CommonSense
I was talking about the New X5, but the FX is cheaper, I agree. We'll just have to wait to see how it does elsewhere.

chewy - 8/8/2006 11:29:44 PM

+1 Boost

TVT01

It might be a nice SUV (sorry BMW, there is no such thing is SAV) but how is it superior to all others. You haven't driven/seen it in real life, but you already assume it is much superior than anything else in the world. How did you come to that conclusion? I am not picking on you, but lately it seems that everything that BMW puts out is superior, people come to this conclusions without even touching the car.

TVT01 - 8/8/2006 11:49:05 PM

+3 Boost

Chewy:

You are correct that I have not seen the car in persona nd obviously have not driven it. But as I said earlier in this thread I am making some assumptions based on my past experience with the current X5 and BMW products in general. I have owned THREE X5s (2000, 2003, 2006), as a point of reference I have also owned several Audis and many other brands so I am truly nto soem sort of brand loyalist.

Anyway, as you own and drive certain brands you can start to make assumptiosn which virtually always pan out to be true. For example if you have owned an Audi A4 and and Audi A6 and an Audi Allroad, then saw pictures of the new A6 you could make some assumptions. You know what kind of materials Audi uses, you know what kind of quality they typically adhear to, you knwo what the engines are typically like.

If you eat at a restaurant that has a great strp steak and a great fliet you can probably guess they also have a grea rib eye.

So I am using my past experience with three other X5s to compare it to the new one. I am VERY familiar with BMW engines and how they drive and the engines used in the new X5 look great, I can draw a fair conclusion as to what they are like. I can look at the pictures of the interior and I know what the 5 series interiors feel like, I know what BMW comfort setas feel like... I can draw a safe conclusion what this new interir will feel like and so on.

I have not made any comments on say the comfort of the third row seats because I have no parrallel ro draw from. I generaly HATEW third row seats and this one looks tiny and probably good for nothing but small kids... but I have not commented because that would be BLINE guess. What I have commented on are what i feel very well educated guesses.

I feel I can compare it to the Q7 because I have extensively driven the Q7 (at one point having one for nearly 1000 miles over a weekend trip). It is a very nice vehicle but from what I have seen of the new X5 not AS nice as that.

And BTW, I agree with you 100% on the "SAV" crap... I HARTE that marketing stuff, The truth is that really these are all tall station wagons. I see nothing wrong with that (I happen to really like the Allroad which is afterall just a cool wagon).

TVT01 - 8/9/2006 12:14:13 AM

+2 Boost

Sorry for the extra post... one last thought.

Some people have asked why others have had such a positive reaction to this new X5. They say it is very similar to the current one and all of that.

Well first of all it is of course and all new car from the ground up. It DOES look similar to the current oine but it shares no body parts with the current model at all, ineterior or exterior.

but the real reason peopl are excited is simple, this is EXACTLY the car it should be. It is beautiful, appears to be very capable and well equiped and if the past is any indicator will be built very well. So they just delibvered exactly what they should havem what people wanted.

this thing is clearly from BMW lineage and fits right in line with the very popular X5 while being new and different enough to move things forward. it is not the end all be all for all people but it is just the right mix for many.

To contrast this I will give you too examples and I will use Audi since we have been discussing them. the Q7, while I really do like it, for me was a bit of a let down simply because it was not the vehicle I was hoping Audi would deliver. I cannot tell you exactly what it is about it but there is something about the styling both inside and out that just misses a little for me. it is a beautiful car but somehow does not feel Audi like to me. The interior does not fit in with the rest of the line and so on. On the other hand the new TT NAILED it for many of the same reasons the new X5 does. It is the exact car Audi needed to deiliver. It has everything that people loved about the old one and just enough new stuff and styling to propell it forward.

So that is why I belive so many are so excited about the X5, they just got it right.

ugofil - 8/9/2006 1:04:09 AM

0 Boost

I'll have to see one in person before I pass final judgement. Some of these shots look a little too much X3ish to me. The interior looks good... love the shifter though.

Rupert - 8/9/2006 7:43:33 AM

+1 Boost

what is absolutley most amusing on this site is logical's ranting. he just doesn't understand..nobody cares about the piles of crap that spill from his mouth! NOBODY!! i'm laughing, we're laughing, at logical, the biggest idiot to hit this site since zoom air vick and kara.

i could express my astoundedness at logical's mention of an inferior product (i have no idea how they are inferior or how he judges them to be so) but i won't, i'll just sit here and laugh at the man with the biggest case of verbal diarrhea in the northern hemishphere.

IamEvilHomer - 8/9/2006 8:49:42 AM

+1 Boost

that is illogical

mstangpny07 - 8/9/2006 10:23:53 AM

0 Boost

Rupert:
NOBODY COMPARES TO KARA.

"Your baby is very pritty"......remember the rest????

She would have a fit over the new X5, about it's too expensive.... but actually I think it would be priced correctly.

Lexlover - 8/9/2006 11:38:31 AM

+1 Boost

I love the power under the hood with a 4.8 and the nice interior but the exterior design STINKS it looks like a cross of a minivan and a station wagon I agree with carboy booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Lexlover - 8/9/2006 1:18:40 PM

0 Boost

Lex stands for Lexus which looks alot better than a Bmw anyway you see it

Rupert - 8/9/2006 1:46:30 PM

0 Boost

did i ever say it was "your fault" that petrol is expensive? i never said crap engines either. i think the ruopean small engines are far preferable to the domestic gutless engines. i like bmws, the are brilliant cars, but i don't try to compare audis to bmws in segments where it would be stupid to do so.
i love the look of this one, i love the z4 (i'm thinking about getting one) and the 6 series and the new 3er coupe, but equally i like the tt, the a8 and a3.
and yes, while the rs4 may outclass the current m3, i belive it is fairly obvious bmw will make the next m3 even better. i like competition, it makes cars better each time.
i don't have an a4, i have a range rover (so whining about gas prices is a bit pointless)

bmwexpert, you are a bmw dealer, so slightly biased. i think audi outsells bmw in the world (it out sells m-b and bmw in britain and china definitely), and bmw is a very innovative company, idrive was the future, they were right, and the idea has been used across many cars. but the rails thing in the boot? that's been around for decades.

BM3W - 8/9/2006 3:06:06 PM

0 Boost

WOW!!!

A perfect progression of the X5. It looks handsome exactly as it should. Similar to the old X5 but evolved.

Carboy - 8/9/2006 3:07:21 PM

+1 Boost

Im saying boooooo because it sucks

Carboy - 8/9/2006 3:08:37 PM

+1 Boost

Q7 and X5 and M Class sucks

M53R - 8/9/2006 3:37:22 PM

-2 Boost

BMWexpert all the way!!!

M53R - 8/9/2006 3:38:16 PM

-2 Boost

BMWexpert all the way!!!

M53R - 8/9/2006 3:39:48 PM

-2 Boost

Man plz teach me :p

BM3W - 8/9/2006 3:54:06 PM

+1 Boost

Does anyone know if BMW has plans for a X5M?

BM3W - 8/9/2006 4:24:46 PM

+1 Boost

Thanks BMWexpert!

matt635 - 8/9/2006 5:12:56 PM

+1 Boost

BMW expert... I am probably one of the most ferociously loyal BMW people ever to grace this website... but seriously man.. with you representing us, you make us all look like idiots, do you actually work at a dealership/franchise?, if so where and what doing? I only ask because when I read your posts I see nothing but widely available facts/speculation mixed in with your own personal opinion - and I also know that getting into BMW (UK) dealerships requires you to be able to spell... I assume it's the same wherever you are...

mstangpny07 - 8/9/2006 6:58:57 PM

+1 Boost

BMWexpert: The date on the magizine says "29 March 2005" It would be called the X6 I believe.

mstangpny07 - 8/9/2006 10:50:49 PM

+1 Boost

^^ It will likely be a 5.4 V8.^^

esrar322 - 8/10/2006 2:49:30 AM

+1 Boost

Best part about this new X5 is the interior. Just look at the interior photo (the burnt orangish interior scheme ... best bmw interior in this Bangle era.

The exterior is nice although I wish it had a mean looking face ... SUVs deserve to have mean looks.

This new X5's face is kind of Isuzu-ish. Otherwise, it looks good.

Is the third row for adults? Looks a bit short in space for adults. I will have to check it out in person. When is it going to be available in the US market?

CactoesGel - 8/10/2006 2:53:39 AM

+1 Boost

I've owned a black 4.4i since Feb 05.I absolutely love everything about it,except:suspension(which apparently has been improved) and mpg(this one I really can't complain about can I?) This new one though,gotta be honest,I've expected more.It looks better.But I think BMW could've done way better, in and out.The question now is 'how much more will it cost?' Bottomline,I can't wait to get this one. :)

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 8/10/2006 4:16:46 AM

+1 Boost

Second That
Very Unlikely there will mw an X5 M Simply because BMW prefer not to just Slap On Huge Engines and Brakes to their vehicles and then try to pass them off as M cars (LIKE MERCEDES DO WITH AMG)
Instead there will probably be a 5.0l V10 Turbo
(I think turbo because the Torque figures on the current M5/M6 V10 is too Low for the much heavier X5)
and it would most likely wear the SI Badge i.e. X5 5.0si

M53R - 8/10/2006 7:27:45 AM

+1 Boost

Cartrash.

if they plan to make a M version of the X5, it will b called X5M not MX5. They did the same with the Z4 (Z4M).

TVT01 - 8/10/2006 2:35:34 PM

+1 Boost

Why are you typing all in caps? It just makes it VERY hard to read and so most people I am sure do not bother reading it.

Secondly I have found that most people who rant about others "not being able to afford" something and the like are very insecure folks who need to make themselves feel better by crowing about how much money they have.

It is not impressive in any way and again, likely causes most people to simply ignore you.

Rupert - 8/10/2006 3:59:53 PM

+1 Boost

as far as i'm aware the x5 is the only sports activity vehicle in the world.
and when you say you have 4 bmws, is that you personally? as in you own them outright.

krzykarl - 8/10/2006 4:02:18 PM

+1 Boost

Traffic light to traffic light the BMW may not get there firstbut if you drive one like they were meant to be driven they will allways win!! I have taken my 3 car around some hard turns at speeds in excess of 120mph and was not even aware of the speed I was travling at.... that is the BMW differance I dont think to many people will diagree there. but the best part is that is will not matter if you ar in a 3 car or a x5 and it will not matter all of these cars handle!!! You can hate the BMW design if you want but you need to respect the ride... because nobody can touch that....not chrysler...not VW..not Ford not toyota or honda.....nothing in this world runs a corner like a BMW

TVT01 - 8/10/2006 4:08:13 PM

0 Boost

BMW Expert:

Type in all caps if you want, tell people to screww of and that they can't afford a car if you want. In makes no difference to me at all. I am just pointing out that if you choose to type in all caps most people will not read your post because it is difficult to read. People just browse this stuff, if it is hard to read they skip it, that simple. Why bother typing it all out if no one will bother reading it?

My other comment about being insecure was just pointing out that when you go so heavily on the offesive (for example telling people they cannot afford a BMW when of course you know nothing about those people) it is likely to turn people off. When people get turned off they will also not read your posts.

So I am honestly not commenting about you or what you are saying, just that HOW you are saying it may make it more likely that a lot of people do not read your thoughts.

As far as the X5 goes I have already stated that I love it, I love the old one and have owned three of them and I love the new one even more.

BM3W - 8/10/2006 4:24:37 PM

+2 Boost

krzykarl....

Nicely said. You are a true driving enthusiast, so am I. I've taken corners so hard and fast my heart skip a beat. I thought to myself I can't believe I just took that corner doing 95 mph with smile from ear to ear. Within the same price range, there is none better. Although Audi's will having smiling from ear to ear as well. There cars are brilliantly design and handles on a knife edge. It's a different feel than a BMW which is so cool to experience.

krzykarl - 8/10/2006 4:48:31 PM

+1 Boost

the one car that i have not yet had the oppertunity to get behind the wheel of is the audi....Ive heard good things and bad things but really i need to see for myself....

Parkinglot2 - 8/11/2006 9:30:41 AM

+1 Boost

oh nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Aldairion - 8/11/2006 12:20:22 PM

+1 Boost

Alright, good show! I was expecting something horrific but this looks pretty nice.