why is it E70?
 

X3 is E83, new 3 is E90, and as far as I can remember, every new BMW has had a number higher than any other BMW that is already out, well, pretty dumb question, but I'm sure someone has an explination

Just means that the X5 project was started before the X3 project was.

Remember, the Z4 & X3 were probably BMW's shortest development times. I remember reading that the Z4 took only 18 months from inception to production - which is intrestingly short period of time for vehicle development (most take 3-5 years). Since the Z4 & X3 are related, I am pretty sure BMW it had a short development time also.

Also to note, the Z4 & X3 were basically complete carryovers from the E46 3 series platform (X3 got many parts directly from the 330xi with little modification). The E70 is no longer a straight copy of its 5 series parent, unlike last time around (E39 -> E53). It seems BMW has put a lot of engineering and work into the E60's child...

On another note (maybe scott can answer this), I have been wondering why there is such a huge influx in development numbers lately. BMW used to progress slowly, with small gaps that were easily explained (there were development codes for electric cars, the coupe version of the E39 5 series, etc...). But lately BMW has jumped from E65 (current 7) all the way now to F10 (the development number for the next generation 5 series). Thats 45 developments/projects, which maybe 15-20 of which have turned into actual cars... Scott?

Maybe Bangle came up with replacements for each and every vehicle in the lineup, and since the management wasn't drinking that night, they rightfully threw them all out. :thumbup:

That sounds like the best answer.

:iagree: I've had that same question relating to the big gaps in development numbers. They'll be hitting 3 digits (E101 lol) soon.

No 3 digits and therefore E is done for now. They are into F now. Check our new V5(F05) forum.

The next 7er is F1, the next 6er is F12/F13 (coupe/cabrio) and the all new 4-door coupe coming in 2011 is F14.

And the new 5er is F10, 5er wagon F11. I think the long wheel base 7 is F02...

all it means is the company is trying many new pojects to expand and in turn is rejecting mor than it used to. They have more money for R and D now and are trying to keep up with benz that seems to have like 100 different models out know. everyone is looking for a new niche and so is bmw and that takes alot of new projects where they may learn alot but never actually make the model. back then the chassis numbers increased so slow because all they had were 3 models 3,5,7 and 6 for alittle while. Look what they got know