X5
The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV soldby BMW since 2000. It is based on the E39 5 Series and features all wheel drive and a line of straight-6 and V8 engines. For non-US models there is a 3.0 L dieselengine.
The X5 was not outfitted with the new R6 engine, which increased power for both the 2.5i and 3.0i versions of the 2006 X3 and Z4 significantly. It is rumored that BMW held back deploying the engine in the 2006 X5 so as not to waste development costs (retooling the assembly line), and to make way for a much more dramatic unveiling of the all new 2007 BMW X5. In fact, 2006 also marks the end of the E53 X5 as well.
The BMW E70 automobile platform is the basis for the current X5 SUV. It replaced the BMW E53 in November of 2006. It features many new technological advancements including, for the first time in a BMW, an optional third row seat which has increased the seating capacity in the new X5 to 7 passengers.
The new generation BMW X5 is 60mm wider, 165mm longer; with a 110mm longer wheelbase, but remains at the height of the previous generation X5 at 1715mm. The SUV is manufactured alongside with the new, rumored, 2008 BMW X6 at BMW's South Carolina plant in the USA.
The interior of the new X5 also features a completely redesigned dashboard. It will have a large, center mounted, and more simplified, iDrive display screen, and also incorporates many state of the art technolgical advances such as Active Steering, Night Vision capabilities and a reverse camera. The E70 has also incorporated 2 new engines to the X5 lineup. BMW has begun a shift of replacing engines from the 2006 7-Series. It is likely that the E70 will inherit those same powertrains later on.
