I was also a bit sceptical when I first got the info we were getting Mk2 X5 that would be evolutionary. But the arguments were very persuasive:

- E53 X5 is despite its age still one of the SAVs with almost perfect shape & proportions market researches has shown

- E53 is a great success for BMW: way over half a million units were sold since debut in 1999 till the end of 2005

- each BMW vehicle needs to get its own personality - and design should show that. So since the 3er is essential BMW model they left 3er almost intact: proportions are almost the same, only the skin is fresher. They had to change 5er & 7er. While for Z4, 1er, X3 & 6er was easier since they were completely new vehicles. The only question was what to do with X5. Since it was a hit the answer was simple: keep the general proportions intact, just change the skin. Evolutionary approach.

Mind that in its last full year of production (2005) BMW sold 101,537 (-3.3%) of X5. Very impressive figures for a vehicle at this point of its life cycle.

Do not worry - the customers will like it. The pre-order list are building with speed of light. And when the public will see all the improvements & the shape (like all the flame surfaced BMWs the car has to be seen IRL to be fully appreciated since the FS design is really a matter of 3D appearance.

Btw, wait to see first reports. Remember the praise of E92 in the press recently? The history will repeat itself with X5 ... and E93 ... and ... The press will start to adore BMW cars again.

Eni, is this it:

It's a CGI. The proportions of the back is oddly skewed. Not a real deal, but close.

Thanks Eni, I'm loving it so far. Loved the headlight design from the first moment I saw it, YAY.

The new competition KILLER is here, everybody say hi to the new X5

I'd rather say: Everybody to the new X5!

I know it's the CGI, but what i'd like to know if they got the rear lights correct...

This is another thing I wonder as well.

One thing I must say is that the new ML is truly a sexy car and I quite frankly think both the new X5 and the new ML will be vehicles to savor and love.

I can't get over the fact that BMW didn't take any risks with the X5 just like they did with the new 3er.

Eni, do you have any information on how BMW is going to shape the 5er? I know the 5er, 7er, and 6er were shaped by Bangle design, but I am wondering if BMW's new approach is not so radical.

The proportions of rear door panels between the black bumper and the rear glass are a bit skewed (especially the panel where licence plate is, and the edge right under the rear glass) - the real appearence is a bit difference. But the CGI shows the design right.

Rear lights:
- the white plastic is more inserted in red part - not like on CGI where white part is not fully surrounded with red plastic - especially the part on rear door.
- there are 4 CELIS LED strips present in the red part (just under the white one) - on CGI they are missing
- the outer edge of cluster (the one on the flank) is not so pointed, but a bit more rounded (but not completely round!)

But they got the graphics right.

Thanks, mate!

Btw, do you know if there will be some M package available for new X5? Something like on mine 535? I mean some kit and rims or so?

From what I've heard there would be an aero package. And of course the upcoming is / si version will have a slightly different appearence (bumpers & side skirts). But personally I haven't seen the aero and is package yet. Still some issue to work on, hehe.

BMW do not see E90 a risk. It was also an evolutionary approach. Maybe not as orthodox evolution as on E70, but still an evolution. Mind that X5 was a special design by BMW when it came out - and it still is: shape wise. It only needs a new skin - and it is getting one. Btw, when you'll see the E70 IRL you'll realise there is a huge difference between E53 & E70 despite some design elements (lines, rear lights etc) are staying almost the same.

All BMW Group designs since 1992 have been designed under Bangle supervision! Even the latest "not so radical" E90, E92/3, E70, new MINI etc.

But mind that Bangle is not the only one responsible for BMW design: he is more like an executor of the policy that is decided by Management Board - and suggested by leading BMW designers & of course department for design strategy (who incorporates a lot of marketing point of view!). Bangle is the one who guide the design process: he is the link between the designers & the top management who actually decides designs! Mind that Bangle reports periodically about design development of every BMW Group car to the Management Board who give directions where to go with a specific car design. Mind that car design process is very complicated process which involves - beside normal design work also a strategic design, top management, engineering, financial & marketing decisions.

Btw, I've wrote about new 5er in a new 5er thread (the one with Huckfeldt's CGI).

New 5er will have more of a coupeish appearance - to take on both E-class & CLS. But the overall skin design will be evolutionary and more refined. The 6er will follow the same way - evolution. Mind that tooling and sheet metal shaping process have evolved and now some design elements can be executed better then in early 2000. BMW design will be still radical (extremely dynamic with fresh design solutions), but will be more refined: no more so clumsy "Bangle-butts", "eyebrows" etc.

It's still on agenda that BMW will never make a boring car again, but also the "fugly" comments will be shut down - since the new design elements / details will be more carefully executed & more refined.