Next Generation X5 to Debut BMW’s New Modular Aluminum Chassis?

The consensus is, That BMW have effectively invested in it’s future having devised the strategy to do so earlier in this decade.

Efficient Dynamics is one investment that has made BMW the only “Premium” manufacturer to be on target to meet it’s EU emission targets by 2015. BMW have only 8% to achieve by 2015.

The investment in the UKL/City/MINI segment and the Premium Compact (1er) and Premium entry (3er) segment. These are the segments that will in the future show more growth than any other segment.

By developing a modular architecture that will be more profitable and cost effective. The recent economic crisis taught that customers were willing to downsize to more smaller cars just as long as they had the luxury features of the larger Premium models. The extensive range of features that will filter down from the luxury segment to the Premium Compact and Premium Entry Segment will enable BMW to price them more competively because of high volume production. Customers will be able to specify their 1er or 3er with the latest BMW technology. To understand the importance of these segments. Of the 20 new BMW models due between now and 2015 – The majority are based on the 1er and 3er matrix.

The Megacity Vehicle and Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept are well underway with other ideas being discussed such as a micro sports car based on the MCV. And a larger MCV for the Premium Segment. But the two projects MCV and VED are the “Acorn” that will grow “the Great Oak”. Their construction will allow the greater use of carbon fibre to filter down to series cars and other exciting concepts.

Because the priority stages are well underway and have been taken care of. BMW want to return to previous Premium Concepts and re-visit some of the projects that were put back on the shelf due to the economic crisis. Such as A larger Roadster to replace the Z8 and a CS Concept flagship for the 7er – such a car is found to be needed within larger Premium markets such as China. China has now become BMW’s third largest market , with sales still growing. The 7er Gran Coupe would compliment the 6er Gran Coupe.

The other BMW brands MINI and Rolls-Royce are not forgotten too. The MINI expansion will bring the Coupe and Roadster , a small MINI city car to put Smart finally out of it’s misery. , The SpaceBox which has now merged into the Clubman, which will be offered in standard R55 configuration and extended wheelbase with an extra door and slight increase in height and length. And a Cross-MINI the name given for the MINI project take on the “Sport Activity Coupe” Concept. which will come in a 5dr and 3dr format – The aim is to offer Evoque style without the Evoque premium.

Rolls-Royce will now start the Ghost expansion with an Extended WheelBase Model and Hybrid model finally a Coupe and Cabrio model based on the Ghost but will have a more unique appearance. It will also feature a typical RR nameplate – Drophead Coupe is exclusively reserved for the Phantom.

Great, hopefully insurance companies will catch on and jack up rates for these cars like the early alum. frame e60′s. You can get in just a minor low speed accident that results in a total loss. It happened on a friends 2006 Dinan 550i. He got in a very mild fender bender, looked like it only needed a bumper cover, a headlight, and a fender repair. Turned out the left aluminum frame structure was slightly damaged from impact and the ins. co. totalled the car. I then learned that BMW decided shortly after MY2006 to change the design, mainly due to the ins. co’s demands and inability to have the cars repaired. There are only a handful of places that car properly repair these kind of frames when damaged. They all charge way more than the ins. co. is usually willing to pay to repair it since it’s so specialized and the equipment you need is uber expensive.

Until aluminum is very common, it will remain more expensive to fix. I believe an issue with the E60 was also the marriage of the aluminum front to the steel middle.

Alternative, lighter building materials will be a major part of the improved fuel ecomony and maintained driving dynamics of the future. An aluminum X5 should shed a few hundred pounds easily. It’ll also do wonders for the larger series cars. CFRP will also help in the generations to come after the MCV.