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Ooops! Sorry...

Well, this one goes out to everybody who lambasted the E-Klasse, saying that "it looks more like a facelift than a new design." It's now clear that the X5 is getting the same kind of treatment - perhaps even tipping even further on the conservative side.

I understand why BMW wouldn't want to mess with success, but is this the BMW we've known for the past few years? I don't think it'd be wrong for me to speculate that they've swung back to being conservative.

It's okey i've posted them anyway thanks tycoon

Hmmm, I understand where you're coming from Osna, but I don't think BMW went conservative on the design of the X5 because they're going back to their old ways, I think they're keeping the winning formula of the X5's because it's simply too risky to try and create something radically new.
We all know how the current X5 has been a runaway success, but I think BMW kept design changes to a minimum coz of the US market.
When the first X5 came out, there were little or no direct competitors, but now there's the new ML-class, the new Q7..and a whole host of other SUV's and SAV's in the US market.
The US market is BMW's bread and butter market, so I guess they didnt want to risk losing customers to the ever increasing number of competitors.

Yes it is a bit out of sync with BMW's design statements, and they've proved with the E90 3er that they can change the looks of a car quite a bit, but still maintain (and improve) on sales.

Maybe another reason why the X5 wasn't transformed into a radical design statement was because BMW are saving that for the X6.

Who knows??.... but I guess as long as the new X5 sells... then it don't matter how conservative it is.

I think that the E70 is a step into the next phase of BMW's flame surface design philosihpy, albeit this time more restrained. Nice way to jump start the next generation.

100% correct.

Don't forget: Today BMW are a very marketing driven company. They are not going to produce something customers won't like.

Customers wanted more distinctive 5er & 7er: they got them. More dynamic roadster: they got Z4. Small SAV: X3. Small BMW: 1er / 2er. Not much changed 3er & X5: got them.

The only risk BMW take is how daring are they at the interpretation of customers' wishes / needs. But the thing has to be profitable - this is the basic condition.

PS: My 1,000th post.

It looks good even under those spy pictures.....!

It will look perfect!