Tag Archives: BMW

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Camouflaged Next-Gen BMW X5 Seen on the Autobahn

BMW’s most popular SUV is on the cusp of a revolution. Spotted recently testing on the German Autobahn—still clad in heavy camouflage—the fifth-generation X5, internally dubbed the G65, is shaping up to be the most forward-thinking iteration yet. With its official debut set for 2026, the next-gen X5 is more than just a refresh. It’s a statement of intent from Munich.

At first glance, the silhouette remains classic X5. But the devil, as always, is in the details. Look past the vinyl wrap, and you’ll notice a few game-changing cues. Gone are the traditional door handles. In their place: discreet aero winglets integrated along the beltline—clearly inspired by the Vision Neue Klasse X concept. It’s a subtle but symbolic gesture: BMW isn’t simply evolving the X5, it’s reimagining it.

A Cabin Rewritten

Inside, the transformation is even more radical. While interior spy shots remain elusive, sources close to BMW confirm the brand is going all-in on its Neue Klasse design ethos. The days of a physical instrument cluster are numbered. In its place, BMW introduces Panoramic Vision, a windshield-based projection system that beams key driving data via three fixed tiles directly in the driver’s line of sight. An additional six customizable tiles span across the passenger side, ushering in a minimalistic yet high-tech cockpit environment.

At the center console, a massive 17.9-inch touchscreen takes over all major functions—infotainment, navigation, climate control, and more. And after more than two decades, BMW is finally retiring the beloved iDrive rotary controller. The new interface leans fully on touch and voice, bolstered by an optional 3D head-up display for those who want to push the envelope even further.

Power for Every Preference

Despite the digital makeover, BMW hasn’t forgotten its diverse customer base. The G65 X5 will embrace a flexible multi-powertrain strategy—from combustion engines to plug-in hybrids, and, for the first time ever, a fully electric X5.

The internal combustion lineup remains intact, with gasoline and diesel options returning. That includes the fire-breathing 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, still alive and well in select markets. The plug-in hybrid range will expand, led by the M60e xDrive, a performance-minded PHEV pairing an electrified inline-six with quad exhausts and unmistakable muscle.

Then comes the headliner: the iX5. Unlike the dedicated Neue Klasse EVs launching from 2025 onward, the iX5 will share the familiar CLAR platform with its gas-powered siblings—but incorporate next-generation battery and motor tech. Expect BMW’s Gen6 cylindrical cells and upgraded eDrive units, aimed at delivering not just range, but repeatable performance.

While it won’t be a full-bore M car just yet, early indications suggest the iX5 will land in the M Lite space—think along the lines of the iX M70. It’s a careful, deliberate step toward electrification, without alienating BMW’s core performance audience.

Longer, Leaner, and Global

BMW is also doubling down on global market demands. A long-wheelbase G78 variant is already confirmed for China, tailored to that market’s preference for rear-seat luxury. Production begins in early 2027 and will stretch well into the 2030s—a testament to BMW’s commitment to its largest single market.

Rolling Timeline, Big Expectations

The fifth-generation X5 enters production in August 2026, with the flagship M60 V8 variant arriving by March 2027. BMW is expected to stagger the launch of additional trims and powertrains, keeping the lineup fresh over its lifecycle.

What’s clear is that the next X5 isn’t just playing catch-up with electrification or digital tech—it’s taking a leading role in BMW’s next chapter. With Neue Klasse-inspired design, an overhauled cabin, and a drivetrain menu that caters to every corner of the globe, the G65 X5 is shaping up to be more than just the brand’s best-selling SUV. It might just be the blueprint for the future of BMW itself.

Source: kindelauto via Instagram

News

How the BMW Z1 Concept Shaped the Brand’s Future

This year marks four decades since BMW began its deep dive into the world of concept vehicles — a journey that would reshape its brand DNA and give birth to some of the most beloved roadsters in automotive history. It all began in 1985, when BMW’s management board greenlit the formation of a special division dubbed BMW Technik — a forward-thinking, semi-covert “think tank” tasked with imagining the future of BMW design and engineering. Their first mission? Create a car that would both challenge and inspire. The result was the BMW Z1 Concept, a machine that didn’t just start the Z Series — it redefined what a concept car could be.

At its core, the Z1 was an experiment. Built atop innovative ideas and unconventional thinking, it debuted BMW’s now-iconic “Z axle” suspension and featured lightweight, removable body panels made from a futuristic thermoplastic called Xenoy. In fact, the Z1 was so radically conceived that it originally wasn’t designed to have doors at all. When they did arrive, they weren’t hinged — they slid down into the bodywork, a signature quirk that helped cement the Z1’s place in automotive lore.

By August 1986, BMW Technik had a working prototype. Despite the Z1’s unorthodox engineering and design language, there was an undeniable allure to the car. With subtle nods to classics like the BMW 507 and 328, the Z1 struck a chord with enthusiasts and prospective buyers alike. The public wanted more than just a one-off concept — they wanted to own it. And that demand ultimately convinced BMW to make it a reality.

Behind the Z1’s whimsical doors and futuristic body, however, lay a much more serious mission. The Z1 was envisioned not just as a standalone sports car, but as a modular platform — a precursor to today’s flexible vehicle architectures. BMW Technik explored multiple derivatives: an off-road “Grasshopper” variant, a V12-powered F1-inspired Z1, and even an early take on what would eventually become the iconic Z3 M Coupe, affectionately known as the “clown shoe.” While most of these never saw the light of day, they underscore the Z1’s importance as a creative and technical sandbox for BMW engineers.

In August 1987, just over a year after the Z1’s debut, BMW officially announced that the Z1 Roadster would enter production. This was no small feat. The car’s exotic materials and assembly methods meant traditional manufacturing lines wouldn’t do. Instead, the Z1 was painstakingly hand-assembled, with production starting in 1988 at a rate of just six cars per day.

While the Z1’s production run was short-lived — ending in 1991 with just over 8,000 units built — its legacy looms large. Without it, there would be no Z3 M Roadster, no Z3 M Coupe, no Z4 M Roadster or Z4 M Coupe. Today’s Z4 M40i owes its spirit, and perhaps its very existence, to the car that started it all.

Forty years on, the Z1 remains a symbol of what happens when an automaker dares to ask, what if? It’s a testament to the power of innovation, of taking risks, and of listening to the enthusiasts who saw something truly special in that quirky roadster with doors that disappeared into the sills.

For a deeper dive into the Z1 and the hidden history of BMW Technik, Steve Saxty’s “BMW Behind the Scenes” offers an unparalleled look into the brand’s most daring projects — including never-before-seen photos and untold stories from the Z1’s development.

BMW’s future may lie in electrification and autonomy, but it’s worth remembering that it all began with a little roadster that refused to open its doors the normal way.

Source: BMW

NEW CARS

BMW Confirms Final M850i Special Edition as 8 Series Nears End

BMW isn’t letting the 8 Series slip quietly into the night. Instead, the Bavarian marque is preparing a final flourish for its luxury grand tourer, as confirmed by M Division boss Frank van Meel during the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Speaking with German outlet Bimmer Today, van Meel revealed that a limited-run M850i special edition is on its way, marking one last celebration of the nameplate before production ends in 2026.

The announcement may not come as a complete surprise—BMW has long shown a fondness for commemorative farewells—but this time, it’s skipping the full-blown M8 and instead opting for the more accessible yet potent M850i. Currently available in Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe forms, it remains unclear which body style will underpin the final edition. Given the premium positioning of the lineup, expect pricing to land firmly in six-figure territory. For context, the base M850i Coupe starts at $110,575 in the U.S., while the Convertible commands $120,275.

The Final Curtain Call?

The second-generation 8 Series has quietly entered its 2026 model year in North America, but the writing has been on the wall. Reports suggest that production will wrap up globally in 2026, with no direct successor confirmed. Whispers of a fully electric Gran Coupe on the horizon hint at BMW’s future direction, but for now, this special edition may serve as the 8’s swan song.

This isn’t the first time BMW has flirted with exclusive sendoffs. Earlier this year, the Skytop and Speedtop concepts, both based on the M8, stirred excitement—but van Meel was clear: this new limited edition is rooted in the M850i, not its M-badged sibling. That likely rules out a CS (Competition Sport) variant, a designation typically reserved for full-blown M models.

What to Expect

Details remain tightly under wraps, but based on BMW’s past “Individual” efforts, expect bespoke paint finishes, unique wheels, and a luxuriously trimmed interior. Exclusive badging, limited production plaques, and possibly some chassis tweaks could set this model apart from the standard M850i.

More broadly, BMW M has hinted at additional special editions coming before the end of 2025, though no all-new products are planned. Recent examples include 50th anniversary 3 Series models released in China and Australia—proof that Munich isn’t finished with its celebratory streak just yet.

As the 8 Series edges toward retirement, BMW is reminding enthusiasts that luxury and performance don’t have to go quietly. The upcoming M850i special edition may be the final chapter for this generation, but if history is any guide, it’s likely to be one worth remembering.

Source: Bimmer Today via YouTube