Hot! BMW AG: What's Next

[Esp5]

This would be cool for the kidneys with a different design depending on the drive mode engaged.

I'm leaning more towards a complete change of body color (three or four different colors), which should already be ready for production to be implemented when regulations or laws allow it.

 

[SCOTT27]

Think bigger?
Other than the US or the Middle East?
Would an X9 be of benefit to other global markets?

 

[Uygar]

More like 7er Estate, lol.

 

[Design FIRST]

Think bigger?
Other than the US or the Middle East?
Would an X9 be of benefit to other global markets?

U.S., UAE, Saudi Arabia and perhaps China (although competition is already so formidable and the pressure exerted on German brands will only increase) would be prime markets. Save perhaps the greater London region, it would be irrelevant in the EU, U.K. and I imagine Norway, even as an iX9, as well IMHO.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

U.S., UAE, Saudi Arabia and perhaps China (although competition is already so formidable and the pressure exerted on German brands will only increase) would be prime markets. Save perhaps the greater London region, it would be irrelevant in the EU, U.K. and I imagine Norway, even as an iX9, as well IMHO.

All of these markets could be soon closed for the German brands. UAE and Saudi Arabia due to the crisis with Iran, China due to superior local competition and USA due to tariffs.

 

[Design FIRST]

...and USA due to tariffs.

Production in Spartanburg ?

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Production in Spartanburg ?

The engines and transmissions are still coming from Europe, at least for the ICE vehicles and they are a subject of tariffs.

 

[leylandi]

BMW secures rights to ladder frame design

https://www.bimmertoday.de/2026/05/03/patent-uberraschung-bmw-sichert-sich-rechte-an-leiterrahmen-design/

 

[Centurion]

So there is some truth to the rumor of a Gclass competitor that I read about a few months ago.

 

[Dopebouy]

BMW secures rights to ladder frame design

So BMW X9

 

[klier]

So BMW X9

No of course not.
G class competitor.

What's interesting from this story is that the new platform is as scalable as CLAR is, so there can be a whole range of rugged off roaders being made if required.

The engines and transmissions are still coming from Europe, at least for the ICE vehicles and they are a subject of tariffs.

I don't think that matters. Everything that's being made in the U.S uses a worldwide supply chain, that's not the issue.

 

[Dopebouy]

What's interesting from this story is that the new platform is as scalable as CLAR is, so there can be a whole range of rugged off roaders being made if required.

Nice! i think they are trying to make offroad versions of the X5,X6 & X7.

 

[SCOTT27]

No of course not.
G class competitor.

What's interesting from this story is that the new platform is as scalable as CLAR is, so there can be a whole range of rugged off roaders being made if required.



I don't think that matters. Everything that's being made in the U.S uses a worldwide supply chain, that's not the issue.

I know they want to and are working on a Rugged Concept MINI crossover SUV.

They could easily do a BMW twin for the entry/C Segment.
A Two-pronged attack on Baby G.

 

[Esp5]

and are working on a Rugged Concept MINI crossover SUV.

Confirmed? Good news, that's what I was waiting for.

What's interesting from this story is that the new platform is as scalable as CLAR is, so there can be a whole range of rugged off roaders being made if required.

That's good, being prepared in case the first one succeeds; those are niches they should have targeted earlier.

 

[Esp5]

1000bhp BMW M3 EV to be priced 'in same ballpark' as petrol twin

Hallowed super-saloon will return as both quad-motor EV and next-generation ICE car, offering buyers "the choice"

1000bhp electric BMW M3 to be priced 'in same ballpark' as petrol twin | Autocar

Hallowed super-saloon will return as both quad-motor EV and next-generation ICE car, offering buyers "the choice"

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[Centurion]

I wonder what it will look like. What's unique about the G-Class is that it's ruggedness of a Jeep, presence of a full fat Range Rover but yet is elegant.

The new defender in comparison has presence but is bloated and isn't as timeless as the G-Glass which is a gangster or a gentleman depending on specs.

I'm very curious about how BMW will approach this.

 

[martinbo]

I'm very curious about how BMW will approach this.

If at all. Lots of manufacturers file patents for products that never get followed through upon. I'm highly sceptical of BMW pursuing a body-on-frame strategy - I just can't picture the ROI.

If BMW really wanted to get into the rugged SUV space (the only reason to go body-on-frame) then why not leverage their relationship with Toyota and license the TNGA platform? BMW has partnered with Toyota before.

 

[klier]

If at all. Lots of manufacturers file patents for products that never get followed through upon. I'm highly sceptical of BMW pursuing a body-on-frame strategy - I just can't picture the ROI.

Wie aus der Anmeldung hervorgeht, soll der BMW-Leiterrahmen einfach skalierbar und sehr kostengünstig herstellbar sein. Hierzu trägt ein vergleichsweise simples Design bei, bei dem sowohl die diagonal gegenüberliegenden Verbindungselemente zwischen Bodengruppe und Vorder- beziehungsweise Hinterwagen als auch der vordere und hintere Querträger baugleich ausgeführt sein können. Da die einzelnen Profile aus langen Trägern geschnitten werden können, wären Fahrzeuge auf dieser Basis sehr leicht und kostengünstig skalierbar – sowohl in der Länge als auch in der Breite ließen sich problemlos einige Zentimeter hinzufügen oder kürzen. Die Verbindungselemente könnten dabei jeweils unverändert übernommen werden.

As the patent application indicates, the BMW ladder frame is intended to be easily scalable and highly cost-effective to manufacture. A comparatively simple design contributes to this, in which both the diagonally opposite connecting elements (between the floor assembly and the front or rear sections) and the front and rear crossmembers can be designed as identical components. Since the individual profiles can be cut from long beams, vehicles based on this design would be very easy and inexpensive to scale—adding or removing a few centimeters in both length and width could be done without issue. The connecting elements themselves could remain unchanged in each case.

ROI doesn't seem like a problem at all going by this here.....

If BMW really wanted to get into the rugged SUV space (the only reason to go body-on-frame) then why not leverage their relationship with Toyota and license the TNGA platform? BMW has partnered with Toyota before.

Why would they if it's easy to do yourself?

 

[leylandi]

Attempts to create rivals for iconic cars have always been unsuccessful. Cars like the G-Class and 911 are unrivaled.

 

[klier]

It's bed time buddy, the grown ups are talking now and it's time to give your AI program some rest.