New Delhi: BMW has always been interested in offering multiple powertrains, and that is exactly the plan for the upcoming X5, with every type of drivetrain that can be thought of. Along with the usual petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions, there will be the hydrogen fuel cell option in cooperation with Toyota. That isn’t all of the news, as they also have plans for a battery electric vehicle.
There are even thoughts of an EV with a range extender, which is something Bavaria has experience with, having previously even sold the little i3 hatchback with a little petrol engine that acted as a generator.
BMW haven’t shared details about the fifth-gen luxobarge but has still confirmed their first hydrogen model will go to production in 2028. The new X5, though, is expected to debut as early as next year, so the wait for its look won’t be that long. The unveiling gives a brief idea of how the GLE competition will look.
BMW X5 fifth-gen exterior and expected interiors
Neue Klasse is going to be the design language of the BMW X5
Though under wraps mostly for now, there are a few elements that clearly stand out, with Neue Klasse face hiding in the camo, with the vertical kidneys seen on the iX3. The headlights appear to have their final shape and size, though the inner graphics will look better on the production-ready X5. BMW clearly isn’t bringing the split headlights from the bigger X7 and the XM.
Other elements include the missing conventional door handles, which are now coming with winglets integrated into the beltline. It’s reminiscent of the BMW M8-based Speedtop and Skytop special edition and Ford Mustang Mach-E electric crossover.
The back looks like it retains the split tailgate, with the rear hatch appearing to be bisected by a black horizontal line. BMW is also not hiding the rear wipers under the roof spoiler for a cleaner look, unlike most of its rivals. The tiny, basic taillights are evidently placeholders and will be replaced by rear lights, much like the iX3’s clusters.
While the interior of this car hasn’t been revealed, the 2027 iX3’s cabin clearly provides a glimpse of what might be in store. A 17.9-inch central screen is expected as part of the redesign. A further pillar-to-pillar projection system called the Panoramic Vision will probably replace the traditional instrument cluster. It will come with three fixed tiles in the driver’s line of sight and six customisable sections on the passenger side as well.
There is also an expectation that the new X5 will drop the iDrive rotary knob and other conventional controls to go with the trend of minimalistic design. The brand has plans to introduce 40 new or updated models with Neue Klasse elements. It is not known whether it will still have a seven-seater configuration available, as the brand might push for the X7.
BMW X5 expected powertrain
BMW X5 fifth-gen could be coming with Hydrogen powertrain in limited regions
It is expected that the BMW iX5 is going to come with petrol and plug-in hybrid X5 across the world, but the diesel is solely made for Europe, mostly along with a handful of other markets. The fuel cell will be limited to certain regions, as across the world, there were only 1160 hydrogen refuelling stations left according to H2Stations.org’s study. However, that is expected to change by the time iX5 Hyrdonge comes to market.
Still, BMW is unlikely to sell it across the globe. BMW and their partner Toyota are among the few automakers that are still investing in hydrogen. Stellantis have abandoned their fuel cell targets, though Hyundai, General Motors, Renault/Alpine and Honda still support the tech. Everything depends on Toyota, the largest automaker in the world, and it is expected that they could be dictating many terms of the powertrain investments.