Tag Archives: BMW

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BMW Charges Ahead with High-Performance iX5 M70 Electric SUV

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

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Next-Gen BMW X7 Prototype Spotted Ahead of 2027 Launch

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

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BMW X7 Prototype Spotted Ahead of 2027 Launch
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Electric Vehicle Plans Stalled by Market Hesitation

At the start of the 2020s, the automotive industry boldly charted a course toward an all-electric future, with many leading manufacturers pledging to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2030. However, the tide appears to be turning. Major carmakers like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, and BMW are now tempering their ambitions, citing lagging consumer demand and market variability as key reasons for their recalibrated strategies.

Mercedes-Benz: A Strategic Pivot

Mercedes-Benz is among the first to publicly adjust its course. While the German automaker continues to invest in electric models like the GLC and CLA—both of which are expected to bolster EV sales—the brand is not ready to abandon traditional engines. Gasoline and diesel variants will remain available for at least another decade.

This decision is partially a response to underwhelming global sales of its EQS and EQE electric models, which failed to meet expectations. The new GLC will be built on the modular MB.EA platform and offered exclusively as an electric vehicle, while the CLA will take a dual-track approach, available as both an EV with cutting-edge 800-volt technology and a mild hybrid model. This reflects a more pragmatic and flexible strategy, in tune with real-world market demand.

BMW: Electric Skepticism Meets Strategic Hedging

BMW, which has long favored a multi-platform approach, is doubling down on its strategy. CEO Oliver Zipse has openly called electric vehicles a “dead end,” suggesting that the market may not fully transition as quickly as many had hoped. The upcoming iX3, built with 800-volt architecture, will serve as the electric sibling to the conventional X3, while the new i3—set to resemble the classic 3 Series—will integrate extended-range technology, with a gasoline engine acting as a generator.

This diversified approach allows BMW to hedge against the uncertainties of global EV adoption, balancing innovation with familiarity.

Audi and Volkswagen: Backpedaling on Bold Promises

Three years ago, Audi vowed to launch its last ICE models by 2025 and become fully electric in new vehicle launches by 2026. But the brand is now reconsidering this timeline. CEO Gernot Döllner recently told Autocar that Audi may continue producing petrol-powered cars until at least 2035, depending on customer demand.

Volkswagen echoes this caution. Although the company plans to produce an all-electric Golf, it also anticipates maintaining production of its combustion engine counterpart for at least another decade. This marks a significant shift from its earlier commitments to rapid electrification.

A Global Patchwork of Progress

Automakers are increasingly recognizing that global markets are moving toward electromobility at different paces. While regions like Europe and China are more EV-focused, others remain reliant on traditional engines. This disparity is prompting companies to create “safety nets” by retaining ICE models longer than originally intended.

Toyota stands out as a leader in this flexible approach. As the world’s largest carmaker, it has long pursued a diversified portfolio—including hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, and battery-electric vehicles—offering a model of balanced innovation that other manufacturers are now beginning to emulate.

Uncertain Policy Future

The EU’s current legislation mandates a phase-out of new ICE vehicles by 2035, effectively banning them from the market. Yet, with major automakers recalibrating their strategies, questions are emerging about whether this regulation will hold firm—or be revised to reflect market realities.

The electric dream is far from dead, but it is evolving. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, carmakers are now embracing diversity in their powertrains, striving to align with consumer preferences, technological advancements, and geopolitical factors. As the 2030s approach, the road to a fully electric future appears more complex—and more flexible—than previously imagined.

Source: Autocar