<h1>New BMW X5 2014</h1>

The latest on the new BMW X5, including release date, price and rumours ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show debut

Update: An all-new version of the BMW X5M mega-SUV is on the way.



Design tweaks over the standard BMW X5 include 20-inch alloys, a more aggressive front bumper, cross-drilled brake discs grabbed by blue calipers and quad exhaust pipes.

Under the skin, the X5M will use the latest version of the BMW M 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. It features variable valve timing and a higher compression ratio,which should help it to deliver around 570bhp – up from the current car’s 555bhp.

The new X5M will also weigh less than the old model, which tips the scales at 2,380kg. That should mean the 0-62mph time drops to around 4.5 seconds, while fuel economy should improve from the current figure of 20.3mpg.

Although the X5M and X6M haven’t sold well in the UK, they’re proving popular elsewhere – particularly in emerging markets like Russia and China.

The X5M is expected to join the range in 2014, with a price expected to start at around £85,000.

New BMW X5

The first pictures of the all-new BMW X5 reveal a familiar profile but a mixture of design cues borrowed from BMW’s current and future models.

The more rounded front end, featuring headlights that flow in to the double kidney grille, is a feature of the new 3 Series, while the shapely air vents either side of the bumper are borrowed from the 4 Series Coupe. The rear lights look like scaled up versions of the units found on the X3. What we can see from the latest set of spy shots is that the X5 will get Air Breathers behind the front wheels. This new BMW design feature was first seen on the 4 Series and helps improve aerodynamics.

We’re expecting the X5 to grow considerably over the car it replaces to help distance it from the smaller X3. A longer wheelbase will free up even more space in the cabin, so we’ll almost certainly see the return of the seven-seater variant.

The new X5’s interior will focus on improved quality, with better materials used throughout, and tech features like selectable dampers, a new touch-sensitive iDrive system and a large widescreen display for the internet-connected infotainment system all to be offered. Like the facelifted 5 Series, BMW is expected to offer a new self-driving mode that can navigate through traffic jams.

BMW X5 spy photos
Our latest spy pictures show the X5 is shedding its disguise as final sign-off for the car approaches.

To make room for the smaller X1 SUV, the latest X3 had to grow in size, and now that domino effect has passed on to the X5, which is considerably bigger than the car it will replace.

The car’s nose appears more upright than before, with a more prominent, larger version of BMW’s trademark kidney grille. Larger doors, a longer wheelbase and a longer-looking roof should give extra interior space.

The engine range is expected to mirror that of the current car, with 3.0-litre six cylinder diesels and eight cylinder petrols, while a downsized four-cylinder turbodiesel, to take on the Mercedes ML250 CDI, is possible, along with a petrol-electric hybrid.

Price and release date
 The new X5 will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show and it's expected to go on sale at the end of 2013 with a starting price from around £45,000.