Last week, at the invite of BMW and BMW of North America, I spent two days in the American home of the Bavarian brand. The BMW Plant Spartanburg, South Carolina is the center of competence for BMW X models which also handles production of the BMW X3, BMW X4, BMW X6 and will soon add the BMW X7. And of course, it’s home to the first BMW X5 and now to the fourth generation of the popular SAV.
Together with John Shipley, Product Planning and Strategy, BMW of North America, I went to the largest BMW plant in the world to not only see the all-new BMW G05 X5, but also to be part of the production process. The idea behind this project was to give you an insight into the production lines in Spartanburg, while exploring the design, features and options of the G05 X5.
To date, more than 2.2 million X5’s have been sold worldwide, one third of those sales being in the U.S., so by any standards, the X5 is a huge success story for BMW. Now in its latest generation, the new X5 promises to deliver not only a bolder and sportier design, but also a more upscale and premium interior design. The Ultimate Driving Machine slogan has not been forgotten also, so thanks to a new lightweight and flexible platform – CLAR – the X5 promises to retain its agility and driving dynamics, while packing the most standard features ever offered in an X5.
“The BMW X5 embodies the origins of the BMW X family and, in its fourth generation, sends out its most powerful message yet in terms of presence and modernity,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “It defines a new X design language – robust, clear and precise.”
With those words in mind, John and I allowed ourselves to be immersed in the X5 experience, from the first step in the production process to driving a final model right off the production line. Through the video below, we hope that we will give you a unique insight into what goes behind the scenes of building a new car, while showcasing some of the best features of most premium BMW SAV to date.
I’m sorry, I havn’t read through previous posts, but I’m sure plenty comments were made about the rear lights. Have you spoken about it with any designers there might have been on hand? Lets face it, the rear lights are quite a departure for the band – they must expect some slap-back from that…?
As a whole, I think the car looks great. The front end is a statement in its own. The sides are restrained but interesting. The back is just so… em, new for BMW – better known on some other brands from Korea. Once, the E90 rear end were compared to some Nissan, I’m sure this will have no lasting effect.
No designers on site, but I plan to talk to them in the near future.
Interesting comments…
So my theory is that BMW worked with Toyota on this G05 like it did with the upcoming Z4. If you look at the most recent Highlander and this X5, there are similarities that abound. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5fcd111ad55e05f862a2419c84fb2f47f62928a09b4fbfa403a94708d60ebe8a.jpg
The Koreans have been ripping off existing BMWs for a while now so of course Bavaria must change, they have been evolving 3 Series’ tail lights since the ’90’s. Audis are now doing fender chrome, where’d they find that?!
No mention anywhere of the PHEV…will it be also be released in December?
I believe other news sources have stated that the Plug In and Diesel models will come one year later marketed as 2020s
Danke!
My question exactly.
autoblog mentons the PHEV will still be this year
https://www.autoblog.com/2018/06/05/2019-bmw-x5-redesigned-sneak-peak/
Not that we know of. Even BMW NORTH AMERICA announced only two models this year
The BMW X5 xDrive45e will be released next year as a 2020 model with the same powertrain as the upcoming 745e which will be launched with the facelift of the 7 Series range. All in all around 390 HP and some more electric range. I covered it here: https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/05/23/bmw-g05-x5-to-get-390-hp-plug-in-hybrid-version-next-year/
Next year
Looks good. Huge improvement over the F15.
I can’t wait for the X5 M!! When will that be unveiled?
Next year
Thanks