2014 BMW X5 (F15) Drops Major Camouflage to Reveal Much More

[EMB-89]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Back when the ML-Klasse was conceived it was to be known as the M-Klasse until BMW's R&D chief Wolfgang Reitzle went bat-shit crazy and stopped their deadliest rival from infringing on BMW's M cars.
Recently someone from Mercedes confided in me that had BMW not stopped Mercedes-Benz from using the M name - The GL would actually be the ML - L for longwheel base in which the both generation of GL are actually extended ML-Klasse models. The GLK was initially to use MLK - K is German for short .
Which would have given more consistency.

The recent Mercedes-Benz concept at the LAIAS is to show potential for their super-luxury SUV above the GL as Premium manufacturers resort to global market demand for super luxury SUV's as large premium sedans are declining in favour of SUVs.

The X5 now shows more understatedness with its evolutionary appearance as it will no longer be the flagship of the X line.

I thought the X6 was the flagship? Anyway, so if the X5 is no longer going to be the flagship of the X cars, does that mean that there wil definetly be an X7 or perhaps and X8? An X8 would be awesome!

[ddk632]

How about an X10, otherwise known as the BMW Sprinter Van? THAT should be the X flagship!

Seriously though, I also thought that X6 was the flagship of the X series. I took Scott26's comments to mean that the rumored X7 is going to be a reality, and will compete directly with the MB GL.

[makdeniss]

Originally Posted by ddk632

How about an X10, otherwise known as the BMW Sprinter Van? THAT should be the X flagship!

Seriously though, I also thought that X6 was the flagship of the X series. I took Scott26's comments to mean that the rumored X7 is going to be a reality, and will compete directly with the MB GL.

I thought that was confirmed by Skot awhile back.

[ddk632]

Originally Posted by makdeniss

I thought that was confirmed by Skot awhile back.

Probably, I might have been out drinking that day.

[krnnerdboy]

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

GLK, M and GL still demolishes X' series. C'mon BMW we can do better.

Precisely! I sold my 6 month old x5 after I offered to detail my father in laws gl550. The overall quality of the vehicle was head and shoulders over my x5. In fact the only place my x5 excelled was in driving dynamics, but I still feel my old fx45 had better driving dynamics than the x5. For a 70k car you would expect much more!!

[ekelly]

When I first caught eye on the spy photos of the E70 in 2006 I was very worried about the design that BMW was taking with the new X5. At the time, as an E53 owner, I felt the aggressiveness and mechanical feel was going to be lost in the wake of a new customer wanting more refinement and more room. And to a certain extend this is exactly what happened but my 'expectations' of this being a damaging thing were squashed as I feel the E70 was 2x the car of the E53.

This time round, from the spy photos, I am really looking forward to the final design of the F15. Some of the key design elements are now becoming apparent and I like what I see so far.

However, the only thing that has me worried is, with it no longer being the flagship model in the X series line up; new design languages will not be tried on the X5 in the future and it will receive "trickle down designs" from the future X7.

Would love to see rear comfort seats in the F15 or perhaps this is what the future X7 will be catering for.

[robotrenegade]

Get rid of the shark fin

[sward]

A video from testing

[stevebmw3]

Please see the "Air curtine" in the front wheel housing .Its idea from 1M.

And look to the rear window sides, its like X6's Aero pack wings modification.

[kv12]

[Schm]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Back when the ML-Klasse was conceived it was to be known as the M-Klasse until BMW's R&D chief Wolfgang Reitzle went bat-shit crazy and stopped their deadliest rival from infringing on BMW's M cars.
Recently someone from Mercedes confided in me that had BMW not stopped Mercedes-Benz from using the M name - The GL would actually be the ML - L for longwheel base in which the both generation of GL are actually extended ML-Klasse models. The GLK was initially to use MLK - K is German for short .
Which would have given more consistency.

The recent Mercedes-Benz concept at the LAIAS is to show potential for their super-luxury SUV above the GL as Premium manufacturers resort to global market demand for super luxury SUV's as large premium sedans are declining in favour of SUVs.

The X5 now shows more understatedness with its evolutionary appearance as it will no longer be the flagship of the X line.

Hey Scott, true or false that the X7 got nixed? I believe there's still plenty of production room at Spartanburg but the economic crisis aborted it mid development. Any new info? I can vouch after poking around the new MT SUV of the year GL at the auto show it's head and shoulders above the GL and X5 we test drove back in 2010 (We chose a Q5 over the lot.)

[EMB-89]

Originally Posted by kv12

That is a bad X3 based rendering...

[Judah]

Is it going to have a real 3rd row seat ?

[brian1225]

Photo from above YouTube vid... The x5 looks pretty aggressive.

[ZuerstBMW]

I really hope it looks aggressive, I really would like to replace my current X5 with one once my lease is up in a year and a half.

[dunderhi]

Originally Posted by Schm

Hey Scott, true or false that the X7 got nixed? I believe there's still plenty of production room at Spartanburg but the economic crisis aborted it mid development. Any new info? I can vouch after poking around the new MT SUV of the year GL at the auto show it's head and shoulders above the GL and X5 we test drove back in 2010 (We chose a Q5 over the lot.)

As a former 2007 GL450 owner, I was disappointedn the new 2013 GL. The drivng dynamics and overall feel moved towards the likes of the Chevy Suburban. Rather than waiting to see if BMW botched the X5 or not, I grabbed an X5M while I can.

[Reeses83]

Check out the X5 pic I found on a German magazine website:

http://www.bmwcca.org/node/4033

It looks pretty good!

[AMR]

Originally Posted by dunderhi

As a former 2007 GL450 owner, I was disappointedn the new 2013 GL. The drivng dynamics and overall feel moved towards the likes of the Chevy Suburban. Rather than waiting to see if BMW botched the X5 or not, I grabbed an X5M while I can.

I hope they step up the quality and design game on the next X5, because....sorry to say this...both the new GL and current X5 get trounced by the new Range Rover. Quality, design and yes even driving dynamics on the new RR are two generations ahead. I know the X5 doesn't compete directly with the GL, I know the X7 would be the real RR competitor, but all three get cross-shopped by prospective buyers. And they better do something about interior finishes and colors, instead of depressing all black, the cheap Accord beige...or the ooops, we have to offer "choice", so let's just slap on some brown or white leather (and white headliner!) on top an all black sea of plastics and carpeting. Have you seen the GL or even ML's interior finish and color? OK, I veering a little but I can't help myself!

[dunderhi]

Originally Posted by AMR

I hope they step up the quality and design game on the next X5, because....sorry to say this...both the new GL and current X5 get trounced by the new Range Rover. Quality, design and yes even driving dynamics on the new RR are two generations ahead. I know the X5 doesn't compete directly with the GL, I know the X7 would be the real RR competitor, but all three get cross-shopped by prospective buyers. And they better do something about interior finishes and colors, instead of depressing all black, the cheap Accord beige...or the ooops, we have to offer "choice", so let's just slap on some brown or white leather (and white headliner!) on top an all black sea of plastics and carpeting. Have you seen the GL or even ML's interior finish and color? OK, I veering a little but I can't help myself!

The 2013 GL I drove was a sea of black with plenty of MB Tex being passed off as leather. My X5M is also a sea of black, but it is black Nappa leather on the dash, black merino leather on the seats and doors, and piano black wood. There is very little plastic to be seen. The only thing I don't like is the black fabric headliner, but the GL's isn't any better. I'll just save my looking upward for my 6er which has an Alcantara headliner. Now don't get me started on the MB's skinny & cheap feeling steering wheel or its feather light steering feel.

As far as RR is concerned, I didn't realize they were still in business. I'd be truly impressed if RR built a truck that was two generations better in handling than my X5M. I'm dying to see that comparison test.

[EmMHoLLa]

Originally Posted by brian1225

Photo from above YouTube vid... The x5 looks pretty aggressive.

Love the aggression... If the production model looks that good ill be placing an order for one..

[sward]

End of production for E70 is in July 2013 and F15 could start production as early as August 2013 with a launch a couple of months later

[Palbay]

Best and only spy shots of the F15 X5 in M Sport Package configuration. NONE of the Munich shots are of the M Sport Package on the new F15 X5. Also these are the only "Open Road" FEP shots of the F15 X5. These photo's are the ONLY distance shots on the road were you can see the "stance" of the car as it will appear on the road. The Munich shots are jammed up close with no "distance" perspective. Stick with PalBay for the most comprehensive F15 X5 Photo's and information. Thanks. http://www.bmwblog.com/2012/12/30/sp...es-camouflage/