Next year, the fifth generation of the X5 will offer an impressively diverse range. In addition to the usual petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options, the “G65” will also receive two electric versions. There is the battery-powered iX5, with an already announced hydrogen variant following in 2028.
But wait, there’s more. New spy shots show that BMW is also expanding the M Performance range of luxury SUVs. In addition to a pure petrol version, similar to today’s X5 M60i, there will also be a plug-in hybrid. The camouflaged prototype was spotted at the BMW test center at the Nürburgring and features a quad exhaust system. It was also seen to be plugged in and wearing a license plate ending in “E”, two clear signs that it was a PHEV.
One piece of the puzzle is still missing: How many cylinders are under the hood? We lean towards six rather than eight. According to rumors, the electrified M Performance. Given the almost identical name, the plug-in hybrid is likely to use an in-line six-cylinder. Why? Let’s explain.
In combination with an electric motor, the overall performance would be on a par with the V8 model. Logic suggests that BMW would have assigned the plug-in hybrid a higher number if it had combined a V8 with an electric motor and outperformed the pure V8 variant in overall performance.
A closer look at the prototype shows that the rear license plate is now much lower than before. It is still unclear whether BMW will retain the split tailgate. While the horizontal black line suggests that the two-part design may remain in place, it could just as easily be a stealth trick. We previously reported that the “G65” may lose the practicality that the X5 has had since the release of the “E53” in 1999.
Otherwise, the profile is cleaner than any previous X5. Have you noticed the lack of traditional door handles? Access is via small winglets integrated into the beltline, a solution already found on the Skytop and Speedtop. The next X5 will be the first production BMW to adopt this setup, with the second-generation X7 not far behind.
The full X5 range is also expected to include a third M Performance variant, the iX5 M70 xDrive. The internal combustion engine is dropped entirely in favor of a dual-motor configuration that produces more power than the other two models. As if the lineup wasn’t complicated enough, the full-fat X5 M could come to market as both a pure V8 gasoline model and as an electric vehicle.
Meanwhile, BMW is carrying out final tests before the premiere next year. The “G65” is scheduled to go into production in August and suggests a world premiere sometime between late spring and mid-summer.
Source: ringprototypes / Instagram
