old news? new news?

[f355b]

E70
The BMW E70 automobile platform will be the basis for the future X5 SUV. It will replace the BMW E53. It is expected that it will be released some time during 2007, and will be considerably bigger than the current E53 model and is rumoured to accommodate two extra passengers. The increase in size is due to the uncomfortably close sizes of the current generation X5 and smaller X3 model.

The next generation BMW X5 will be 60mm wider, 165mm longer; with a 110mm longer wheelbase, but will remain at the height of the current generation X5 at 1715mm. The SUV will be manufactured alongside with the new 2008 BMW X6 at BMW's South Carolina plant in the USA.

Several sources have indicated that the dashboard will be completely revised to incorporate all of the latest technical gadgets, which will be included in the next generation. These include radar-governed cruise control and night-vision. The E70 will bring new engines to the X5 lineup. BMW will begin a shift of replacing engines from the 2006 7-Series. It is likely that the E70 will inherit those same powertrains.

Petrol models will include:

X5 3.0i 3.0 L 255 hp (190.2 kW) inline-6
X5 4.0i 4.0 L 275 hp (205.1 kW) V8
X5 5.0i 5.0 L 355 hp (264.7 kW) V8
X5 5.4is 5.4 L 420 hp (313.2 kW) V8
Transmission choices will likely remain like those today: 6-speed manual and 6-speed Steptronic. It is possible for BMW to implement their 6-speed SMG system into the V8-powered models. Also, this generation's xDrive AWD system will continue largely unchanged into the E70. Rumors also floating around is that the BMW 7-Series Electronic Shifter will be used in the E70 to rival the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class' shifter.

The X5 will also be the first production vehicle to use FlexRay, a new electrical bus system; it is only used for the pneumatic damping system.

[rangerfan]

Originally Posted by f355b

Also, this generation's xDrive AWD system will continue largely unchanged into the E70.

Interesting stuff, though there is conflicting info about XDrive floating around here. http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...ve-system.html.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by rangerfan

Interesting stuff, though there is conflicting info about XDrive floating around here. http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...e-system.html.

i have also read from reliable sources that xdrive will be next generation and better than E53.

[x5 qatar]

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw X5 5.4is 5.4 L 420 hp (313.2 kW) V8 .

thx alot bro .