Please tell me that rear end won't look like that first render. That rear end looks exactly like a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
No I've not seen anything that could be deemed 3rd Gen X5. A few X5 mules missing badging or camo'ed roundels. I would suspect the 3rd Gen body would get the full swirly camo treatment. It would have enough body sheet metal changes...it would be readily identified as a different design. Nothing yet. Thanks.PalBay
The first prototypes were completed in Munich in December and have been taken to Sweden for winter testing. So once the holidays have past expect a rash of prototypes beginning their journey to production in the snow and ice, I do not know when they begin in Spartanburg as they always build first prototypes in Munich before prototypes roll out of Spartanburg. And the X5 is not the only vehicle. Watch out for adapted X3's which lie the origins of Performance and the X4. And of course there is the new MINI the Paceman Sport Activity Coupe which is a very interesting addition to the MINI family- Paceman is going to be big it is very "Evoque-like" but at a fraction of the cost. There is some other interesting prototypes starting their development too.
Appreciate the update....on Christmas Day no less. Merry Xmas. My eye's are wide open.I think maybe you refer to the X3 "M" or maybe an "M" developed version of the X3,i.e X6 M 50d. Not sure...but every time I see a Performance Pack equipped X3...I do a doubletake.....I think the "new" X3 "M" just passed by. It will be interesting to see how the "Performance" X3 finally shows itself. There is still quite a bit of major construction ongoing at Plant Spartanburg. It appears an additional "finger" is being added to the North Assembly Hall.... The new plant design is very similar to BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany, the newest plant within the BMW Global Production Network. It has been designed using “fingers”. The fingers are constructed along the sides of the new plant and allow for direct deliveries to the exact point of use on the production line. The finger is clearly being added long after the initial North Assembly Hall launch of the 2nd Gen X3. It might be in anticipation of the X4 or maybe another product to be added to Plant Spartanburg. Not sure. Interesting times around Spartanburg. Thanks much! PalBay "
^^^ Will probably be the X3 M Scott is hinting at in his sig..... ....YAAAAWN......... Or maybe the X1 M or 5er GT M.
Why the cabrio? The M6 coupe should come the very same day as the cabrio, as I don't think they're behind in testing the coupe. BTW, I know it's the M6 that's coming, as it's the only M that's being tested in a stage close to finish. M3 is quite a bit off and I haven't even seen a spy pic of any X3 M or X1 M. And the 5 GT M will never come obviously
X4 is to the X3 what the X6 is to the X5. Based on X3 platform...sporty, coupe like 4 door and 4 seat (We think..no hard details released yet) .Maybe even a 2 door Coupe (think Range Rover Evoque Coupe). Although Scott seems to indicate BMW's Evoque fighter will be coming from the Mini product line. X4 confirmed by BMW CEO several months ago.
In Land Rover's eyes they see the Evoque as an X3 challenger rather than the X1 challenger it is almost identical to in size. The best selling MINI model globally is the Countryman so you can see where the MINI Paceman will fit in. The MINI Paceman is the X6 to the Countryman's X5 but is more stylish and lifestyle directed like the Evoque. The roofline is lower and glasshouse is shallower it also shows some MINI innovative design elements in order to enhance its appeal. For what it is the Evoque is expensive. MINI hope the Paceman will appeal to those that want a stylish crossover without a heavy pricetag and hopes to entice would-be evoque owners who cannot stretch to the real thing. The BMW X4 comes first as a 5dr because it reflects the market and segment it will approach, however BMW are thinking about introducing an additional Coupe X4 with 3drs if there is sufficient demand , Porsche are also thinking 3drs for the Cajun too. In early 2012 you will see a Concept that will "Preview" the production MINI Paceman in a way that the MINI Beachcomber previewed the MINI Countryman from the original MINI Crossover Concept car from 2008. The good newsfor MINI fans is that side on it will look like this render. The X4 is also earmarked as a "Production Preview Concept". The next generation X6 will retain its five door format.
They are not challengers. The X3 rival has always been the Land Rover LR 2, both are family cars. The Evoque, especially is an image enhancer that young buyers choose over other image enhances like the 3-Series Coupe, E-Class Coupe or A5 Sportback. An X4 will eventually see day light and if will better be fit as a three door model given that BMW already have four 5d SUVs on the market.
Agreed, X4 3 door or bust. In the end, it will probably come as both a 3 door AND 5 door, to have even more markets covered....
I was not sure where to post this item. The pic's are of a billboard that is owned and controlled by BMW. It is located along Interstate 85 ( the Main Road that the South Carolina Plant fronts). The billboard rotates messages...the last was something about the "All New X3 built right here in SC"...or pushing the local Charity Golf Tournament BMW sponsors in the Upstate Area. Well within the last day or two this message pops up apparently ( I think) teasing a car. This billboard ( nor any other for that matter) has ever teased a vehicle since I've been poking around the area. The tease could be for hitting the Plants production goal...see this link BMW builds record number of vehicles in 2011 | The Greenville News | GreenvilleOnline.com. But the Volume numbers were a Front Page Article in the local paper a couple of days ago. Is this a tease for a surprise reveal at the Detroit Auto Show....not sure. X4,X6 M 50d ??? Whatever is under the cover looks out of scale (maybe intended) ,i.e..width between front wheels,something behind the rims on the tires??? Could be nothing...I've just never seen a car teased in this manner since I've been shooting pic's around the plant. Interesting to say the least??!! Thanks. PalBay
^^^It's got to be the M50d. Based on SCOTT's current signature and those blurry teaser videos, it's gotta be that.
First spy pics!!!! Looks to be an oversized X3 with the 5er GT frontlights. BMW X5 2013: Más grande y capaz | CarandDriverTheF1.com
I take it there will be an option for 7-passenger seating, otherwise it looks big for just 5 passengers.
