After careful analysis I have to say that the interior and the rear of the car are simply awesome…

… the front is a different matter. I’m having a bit of a hard time digesting it… not that it’s bad or anything, but something is not sitting well.

Maybe it’s not photogenic like most new BMW you see for the first time in press releases?!

BTW... what's the big spiel about the shifter other than it being "by-wire" techonology?

I have to agree with you. BMW has really nailed it this time.

I get the feeling that this is a bridge design wise of what is to come in the next couple of years in the new generation BMW's, starting w/ the F01/2 7er.

Only an updated Steptronic with futuristic electronic shifter.

But don't worry: DCT / ZSG is coming. But not in X5. Not yet.

Creating a buzz is fun. Still many interesting things to come from BMW ...

ZSG is coming in what? The E92 M3 I hope!!!

Could you fill us in more on how the new gearlever is operated when not in manual or park modes but just when selecting, say, "D"?

You can see the whole thing in the "interior video" (find it in the video links above). Just watch it. It's so simple.

Btw, ZSG / DCT coming later. So are new V8 engines. And so is new Dynamic xDrive - which is obviously saved for a debut in upcoming X6 SAC. Even I was fooled - expecting Dynamic xDrive to debute in E70: because it was tested in E70 prototypes. But now I know those were preliminary tests only - and will continue in X6 prototypes (now in E70 camoflaged mules).

But X6 is expected to have all the goodies: ZSG, new V8s & Dynamic xDrive. So they are coming with X6 in 2008 or earlier: ZSG I was said in 335si in 2007.

Another interesting info: marketing guys started to tease with "there is an additional 6th PR coming by the end of the year" - beside E93 3er cabrio, new MINI, RR Corniche, M5 Touring & 1er 3dr. So we started to guess & bet: it must be another BMW model - so M3 or 2er cabrio (my bet). Annoncement only, not market launch.

I gotta give it to BMW, this new X5 really does look great:



M

So you're saying it looks better than the new ML !?!

Yep, both inside and out.

M