With the diesel X5 being added to X5 line-up in US, the XDrive badging, and E70 entering its 3rd production year, does anyone know what other changes may be coming to 2009 model coming in Sept /October this year?
Is 1st LCI a possibility?
Any changes to engines in the line-up? a bi-turbo possible?
When is the performance X5 coming?
Is X5 getting DPC for 2009?

Appreciate your help with these.

All very good questions. A first I would have said that the X5 would get the same engines as the X6, but now I don't think so. To keep the X6 a more tempting purchase they might not share the turbo gasoline engines with the X5 until the X5 gets a facelift IMO.

M

Might be the case with the xDrive50i engine (<-- I still hate that name) but the X5 desperately needs the xDrive35i.

EMpower, I can't speak to some of the other items that you mentioned,however the X5 "M" is being tested at night right now in the area around the BMW Plant.That comes from a very reliable source that works at the plant.The test are being conducted after 12:00 midnight.I will try and grab some pic's.But that after midnight hitch is going to be tough!!! No word on the type of powerplant in the X5 "M".My contact is good w/ info,but he says he has never seen this level of secrecy surrounding a new BMW model.The X5 "M'" is testing simultaneously w/ the X6"M" and the X6 Hybrid.I think the high level of secrecy probably has more to do w/ the Hybrid than the "M"s.I have had some engineers that I know tell me DPC will be limited to the X6 for a fairly long time ( couple of years).The DPC is one of the main items that BMW will use to differentiate the X6 from the X5.BMW wants customers to view the X6 as a completely different vehicle,and not a hopped up X5.As with all good technology I think DPC will find it's way into the XDrive fleet and maybe some rear wheel drive platforms at some point in the future.I'm working hard to grab some pic's and pass along any new info!Thanks. PalBay

Will te 09 be faster or have close to 400HP to rival the New GTS if they don`t change to the 4.4 Bi Turbo? I am confused.

I see both the N54 and N64 engines possibly replacing the N52 and N62 engines in the current lineup.
Diesel engines will be making their way to the X5 lineup as well.

Exterior changes- probably none.

Functionality-wise, we might see changes to the X-drive technology of the current model. I see the X-Drive technology from the X6 being integrated into the X5, along with all the efficient dynamics lingo.

It will be good to see the engines being replaced with N54 and N64 but I am also hearing that BMW wants to keep X6 with more power.

X5 does need DPC as competitors like MDX have better technology than X5 from what I read.

Palbay, thanks for the news ragarding X5 M. Do you know when its coming?

I also want to hear what Scott27 and Eni have to add to this thread.

Anyone know of what engine is coming in performance version 4.8is replacement?
I read it will be TT V8 from X6 50i in Roundel mag. Is that true?
If performance X5 gets same enigne as X6 50i, then I doubt X5 4.8i will see any change in engine.

I won't say I have concrete information, but I would based logical deduction expect them to use the TTV8 will make its way to the X5.
I don't know if it will be the performance version of the X5. If they do replace the N52 with the N54, then I would suspect that the N64 will be a replacement for the N62 engine.

From what I heard, the performance version is getting TT V8 so doubt 4.8i will be replaced with TT in that case or maybe they have 2 different versions of V8 TT. Eni or Scott can confirm.