Most spy photos we see of modern BMWs are in Europe, which is where BMW does most of its pre-production testing. However, the BMW X5, as well as every other Bavarian rear-drive-based SUV, is built in America. So it’s not crazy that the new BMW X5 has been caught testing in Atlanta, Georgia, just 174 miles south-west of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Which makes sense considering that’s where the X5 is built. (We don’t own the photos but they can be seen here)
The new X5 will be built on BMW’s new CLAR architecture, the same one that underpins all new rear-drive-based BMWs, such as the 7 Series, 5 Series and X3. That means it will be lighter, stiffer and more dynamic that ever before. It also means it will get all of the same new tech and luxury as the other aforementioned CLAR-based BMWs. So expect a great cabin, high-tech luxury and much improved driving dynamics.
From the outside, the new X5 seems to be more rounded that the current, outgoing model. While its lines aren’t as sharp as the car it’s eventually going to replace, it actually seems a bit sportier, a bit more athletic. In these specific photos, we can only see the rear and rear three-quarter views, so we can’t make out too much. However, we can see that there will be a large Air-Breather, much like the upcoming 8 Series. This specific car also seems to be some sort of sporty model, due to its large, bi-colored wheels and the large rectangular exhausts.
In terms of powertrains, the new X5 will come with the typical suite of engines that most bigger Bimmers get. So expect the B58 3.0 liter turbo-I6 in the standard X5 xDrive40i and there will also be a V8 option available, packing the brand’s 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V8. Although, we’re not entirely sure if it will be an X5 xDrive50i or and M Performance variant, like an X5 M50i. There will also be a top-of-the-line BMW X5 M coming as well, but we don’t know when that will get here, likely a year after the standard car debuts.
[Source: Carscoops]
