Tag Archives: BMW

News

BMW Unveils Canada-Exclusive 540i xDrive Legacy Edition with Straight-Six Power

Leave a comment

BMW has revealed a new limited-run version of its 5-Series executive sedan, but don’t mistake it for a high-performance M car. Instead, it’s the 540i xDrive Legacy Edition, a Canada-exclusive model designed to celebrate the brand’s heritage while offering a unique twist on the current G60 generation.

With production capped at just 151 units, the Legacy Edition is a rare opportunity for Canadian enthusiasts to get behind the wheel of a non-hybrid, six-cylinder 5-Series — something that’s been missing from the local lineup until now. Unlike the plug-in hybrid 550e, which previously stood as the sole six-cylinder option, this special 540i brings back the visceral experience of BMW’s renowned 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, producing 375 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. Aiding the powertrain is a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive. The result is a 0–100 km/h sprint time of just 4.7 seconds — a compelling figure for a luxury midsize sedan.

True to its name, the Legacy Edition pays homage to BMW’s history — particularly the E34 540i, the first to wear the iconic badge and offer a V8 paired with a manual transmission. The homage is clear in the paintwork of the launch model, finished in Maldives Black II Metallic, a nostalgic color that channels the spirit of early ‘90s BMW design. Buyers can also select from a wide palette of BMW Individual Manufaktur colors at no extra cost, including Oxford Green Metallic, Cinnabar Red, Grigio Telesto Pearl Effect, and more — ensuring each Legacy Edition can be as distinctive as its owner.

In addition to its mechanical and visual upgrades, the 540i xDrive Legacy Edition comes generously equipped. Standard features include 21-inch Individual alloy wheels, the M Sport Pro Package, and a choice between red or blue M Sport brake calipers. Inside, drivers are treated to a Bowers & Wilkins 18-speaker premium surround sound system and ventilated front seats, underlining the model’s dual focus on performance and comfort.

While BMW Canada hasn’t officially revealed pricing, expectations suggest a starting figure north of CA$100,000 (~$72,600 USD). With order books now open and deliveries slated for Q4 2025, prospective buyers will need to act fast — these 151 examples won’t stay on showroom floors for long.

Source: BMW

Gallery:

BMW Unveils Canada-Exclusive 540i xDrive Legacy Edition with Straight-Six Power
News

BMW Charges Ahead with High-Performance iX5 M70 Electric SUV

Leave a comment

BMW’s transition to electric power is no longer a question of if, but how fast. Leading the charge is the i4 M50, the M division’s best-selling model, now succeeded by the upgraded i4 M60. But that’s just the beginning. BMW’s performance electric lineup is rapidly expanding—next up is the much-anticipated iX5 M70, a musclebound electric SUV that hints at the future of M.

Recent spy shots of the upcoming iX5 reveal a clear performance focus: massive drilled brake discs, towering 23-inch five-spoke forged wheels wrapped in Michelin high-performance rubber rated for speeds over 150 mph (240 km/h), and a muscular stance. All signs point to this being the M70 variant of the iX5—BMW’s first fully electric X5.

If BMW follows its current powertrain strategy, the iX5 M70 will likely share its dual-motor setup with the i7 M70, which cranks out 650 horsepower (659 PS / 485 kW) and launches the luxury sedan from 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) in just 3.7 seconds. The performance credentials are all but guaranteed, but questions remain around range. BMW will be under pressure to improve upon the i7 M70’s EPA-rated 268–285 miles (431–459 km), especially with the SUV’s larger size and probable weight penalty.

Under the skin, the iX5 will continue to use BMW’s updated CLAR platform, the same one used by both combustion and electric variants of the X5. That sets it apart from the smaller X3 lineup, where the iX3 shifts to the brand’s next-generation Neue Klasse platform. While the iX5 doesn’t yet benefit from this EV-focused architecture, it will still embody BMW’s design evolution, borrowing styling cues from the Neue Klasse Vision X concept—especially its futuristic, visor-like front end.

Though still heavily camouflaged and clearly in the early stages of development, the iX5 M70 is expected to debut next year. When it does, it’ll enter an increasingly crowded battlefield of luxury electric SUVs. Rivals include the all-new electric Porsche Cayenne and the Lotus Eletre, both aiming to blend performance with zero-emissions appeal.

However, amid slowing global EV adoption and rising tariffs, BMW is hedging its bets. The iX5 will launch alongside internal combustion engine (ICE) versions, and even competitors like Lotus are developing hybrid alternatives in response to shifting consumer demand.

Still, the direction is clear: for BMW M, the road ahead is electric—and fast.

Source: BMW

News

Next-Gen BMW X7 Prototype Spotted Ahead of 2027 Launch

Leave a comment

A few weeks after BMW officially confirmed the development of the second-generation X7, the first photos of a heavily camouflaged prototype have emerged, captured during early road testing. The upcoming iteration of the luxury SUV hints at a significant update to the current model, rather than a complete overhaul, while also aligning itself with BMW’s bold new design and technology philosophy.

Spotted in public for the first time, the prototype reveals subtle yet telling details. Most notably, the vehicle is equipped with functional exhaust pipes, confirming that internal combustion engines will continue to play a role in the next-gen X7 — though an all-electric version also seems to be in consideration.

The SUV appears to retain familiar design elements, such as its signature split-headlight layout and the structural C-pillar shape from the current X7, introduced in 2019. This has led experts to suggest that the new model is likely based on an evolved version of BMW’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform, already underpinning the current X7, 7 Series, and electric i7 saloons.

Interestingly, while keeping the traditional layout, the prototype adopts styling cues from BMW’s future-forward Neue Klasse design language, particularly the gloss-black front fascia — a feature expected to become a hallmark across upcoming models including the 3 Series, X3, and 5 Series.

Although BMW has not yet confirmed a launch date, leaked dealer documents in the U.S. suggest the second-generation X7 may debut in 2027, following the release of the new X5 expected in 2026.

BMW’s R&D chief Frank Weber emphasized a shift in engineering philosophy, stating:
“We have to detach ourselves from how we have perceived platforms up to now… It’s not so much the platform structure itself but the individual components and how you use them.”
This approach highlights BMW’s growing emphasis on modularity, with increased focus on how engines, motors, battery cells, and software systems can be shared and networked across the product lineup.

The next-generation X7 will be just one piece of a much broader transformation. Starting with the launch of the new iX3 at this year’s IAA Mobility Show in Munich, BMW plans to either replace or significantly update every vehicle in its range, embracing a unified Neue Klasse identity.

BMW Group design head Adrian van Hooydonk confirmed this strategy, noting:
“We’re going to change the look and feel of the BMW brand… It would not be good for us or our customers if there were a new type of BMW and a ‘classic’ type.”

While the brand’s future seems well-charted for most models, one question remains: what lies ahead for the 4 Series and 8 Series? For now, their fate within the Neue Klasse vision is still unclear — a detail sure to keep enthusiasts and industry observers watching closely.

Source: Autocar

Gallery:

BMW X7 Prototype Spotted Ahead of 2027 Launch