Section: E70 X5
Jul 15th, 2008
Not major news by any account but the name change of the X3 3.0si has been officially confirmed. As we mentioned here several months back BMW will be readjusting their naming schemes due upcoming regulations. So following the same rules as the X6 in naming the X3 will follow as is the X5 xDrive35.
This still leaves us wondering what the new name of the upcoming “Z” will be if there is more than one engine version.Is it possible that if a 4 cylinder engine is an option it would be the Z4 and if it is a 6 it would be the Z6? We will let you know as soon as we hear!
Update
No sooner was this written it was brought to our attention that BMW has already given us a clue to the possible naming game of the next Z4, sDrive.
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Jun 11th, 2008
Our friends over at BimmerPost have their spies out and getting some great shots of a prototype once again. Months back our sources insisted ///M was not working on an X5 version as they did not want to water down the image like AMG has done by throwing the badge on anything with 4 wheels.
What was hinted at was a replacement to the current 4.8is utilizing the new N63 twin turbo V8 that the X6 has. What the actual X5 badge will say is anyones guess at this point. The motor produces 400hp and 450 ft/lbs. in its current form. BMW has big plans for this forced induction motor as it will also be utilized in the future 555i, and the F01/02 7 series.
The photo shows dual air boxes much like the current twin turbos have and what has been seen in the X6. Expect bigger brakes, beefier exhaust, adjustable suspension and of course larger and wider rims and tires to go along with the aggressive exterior changes.
Update 7/9/08
We have added 2 additional shots of this performance model taken within the US during hot weather testing.
Top Photo:BimmerPost.com
Additional photos: Scoopy/DNMotor
May 26th, 2008
Last month we broke the news to the world that there was a new iDrive on the horizon for most of vehicles in the BMW lineup. This was met with some skepticism. As sources have continued to verify it there is very little doubt that it will indeed happen sooner than later.
What we did not know was the total package. One of our sources indicated that the car would have a hard disk and a system from Harmon Becker but we were unable to confirm this information at that time. Time has rolled on and our good friend, Jonathan Spira, has confirmed some of the same information. He has acquired information that essentially has spilled the beans on much of the up coming iDrive.
We still are a bit puzzled by the hard drive allotment; 10GB for a phone book? All in all this sounds to be a much improved system when you also consider the fact it will also feature the new controller. As we know all too well sources sometimes give you bits and pieces of information and you have to sift through them, we commend this effort and can at least agree that the system will feature a hard disk; we know this from the interior of the F01 7 series as there is only one slot! The details may still not be finalized and changes are happening regularly so the system we will eventually see may be a bit different. Information we have obtained indicates that there will be a multimedia showing of the new iDrive around the launch of the F01/02 on 07.07.08.
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Apr 11th, 2008
Just a reality check for all those sites out there claiming to have pictures a true M X5 circling the ‘Ring. It’s not going to happen - it was never going to happen. The car currently being tested is simply a sport edition of the new X5 a la the 4.8is from the 1st generation. It will come with the twin turbo V8 and put just over 400 hp. This is the same engine currently in the X6-50i and the same engine that will see the light of day in the new 7 Series next year.
Apr 1st, 2008
There have been many questions, comments and wishes from our readers in regards to the upcoming release of the BMW Advanced Diesels. We now have some further answers and many of our original beliefs have been validated by sources close to these vehicles. You can view our original story here
There will only initially be two models for the US and BMW will use these to gauge the fledgling market and future model offerings; the 335d sedan (rwd) and the X5 xDrive35d (name verified) both will be 2009 model year vehicles. So no, is the answer to the 5er, and the sport-wagons.
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Mar 4th, 2008
With all the attention the sporty and sexier 1 has been getting it is no surprise that the ugly duckling named BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance has been pushed to the side. Aside from another long name from those at BMW marketing this could be the best thing to hit the US shores in a long while. We are not here to preach conservation (though it is a great thing!) argue about what is better: diesel, E85 (not a chance), Hybrid, hydrogen or something else. We are here to talk about how BMW is going to implement a 50 state approved engine, lessened emissions while increasing efficiency and still managed to make performance strides.
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Feb 27th, 2008
We have just received some breaking news courtesy from an internal BMW memo that confirms our original speculation. The names of the models in the X6 lineup were not created because of some marketing plan. The xDrive50i and xDrive35i may have some competition in the amount of (nomenclature related) weight added to the rear of BMW models in the not so distant future.
Here’s an excerpt from the internal BMW memo:
Due to upcoming U.S. regulations in effect for Model Year 2009, we are changing some of our naming protocol. The new naming protocol will affect all products that currently have an engine displacement designation within the name—X3, X5, X6, Z4 and Z4 Coupe.
With that quote one can only imagine what other names we will see! What do you think they will name the Z?
Feb 27th, 2008
Not ground breaking news but something that client advisors often over look are Priority 1 options. BMWNA does not openly advertise or promote these options and are often items that the majority of buyers have no interest in. To some they are what sells them on the car. Priority 1 essentially means that the car is for a specific buyer as a “sold” car. These options are not available for dealer lot cars or pre-specced cars.
We have also obtained a full copy of the dealer ordering guide which shows all the options (includes 1 and X6) so enjoy! There appears to be some added benefit of purchasing a 1 series with a production date after March as more colors will be available and some changes to equipment are being made. We will try to find out why some of these changes are being made.
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Feb 12th, 2008
Most purchasers of a BMW assume they are getting a German made product. Most non-enthusiasts do not realize that their vehicle may have been produced in the US or several other locations outside of the “fatherland”. Dealers are able to identify the production location of a specific car within their allocation but this is not always revealed to the customer. It will however be stated on the window sticker when it is delivered.
Until recently US bound 335i sedans were solely built in Germany but due impart to the weakness of the dollar and ramp up in production of the 1 series coupe, production has begun to join the 328i sedan in Roslyn, South Africa. The Roslyn plant has won several awards for its quality so it is by no means a substandard product. This move in production is not indicated for other models within the 3 range. continued →
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