Autoblog reader spies the new BMW X5 in Cali
Autoblog reader Chris Belanger was out in the Santa Barbara area (Summerland, CA, to be exact) when he came across two camoflaged 2008 BMW X5's heading north on 101. He alertly snapped four photos and send them to us. it appears to be the same pair of X5s, on black, one white, that have been snagged testing before. Chris got a super front 3/4 view of the white one and rear shots of both, with the rear shots taken using a telephoto lens as he drove at highway speed.
The revised front end adds some visual interest compared to the current model and should look good. The overall shape is pretty much the same as what we're accustomed to. Out back the changes are subtle and pretty difficult to gauge with the camo in place. In all, it looks like the Bimmer folks are following the same game plan they used for the revised X3: a more interesting front-end treatment, minor changes out back, and the retention of the previous model's familiar shape.
You can see the rest of the shots after the jump. A big "Thank You!" to Chris Belanger for sharing them with us.
[Source: Chris Belanger]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tool 2:23PM (7/12/2006)
The problem I have with the BMW SUVs (or SAVs as they like to call them) is that the front-end looks wimpy.
I've driven both the X3 and the X5, and the are exceptional vehicles, but the external styling doesn't do it for me.
Guess that is why I bought the Range Rover instead.
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Dan 2:48PM (7/12/2006)
Boring. Looks like a Volvo.
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Hung2 3:08PM (7/12/2006)
As a BMW loyalist, I have to say this is disappointing. Did BWM play is safe or what? Let's hope it's loaded with lots of technology to make up for what it lacks in design. Wait a minute....that means iDrive, right? Never mind.....
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Christian D. Chapman 3:44PM (7/12/2006)
Compared to the current X5, that thing looks like it has been neutered!
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mark edwards 4:03PM (7/12/2006)
Remember BMW probably lowered the front end to comply with the new push for SUVs, I mean SAVs to be more friendly for car and people crashing. Contributes to a weaker look, but the wheels/ tires look very aggressive.
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JarryHames 4:35PM (7/12/2006)
It does look pretty tamed and I'm quite surprised! I thought that they would screw this up like most of their products - introduced 2002 and afterwards. It is like they're playing it safe one day and completely a mess on another one. There isn't much continuity with any of their products anymore. They have been successful in keeping all eyes on them.
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Vinny 4:56PM (7/12/2006)
Good work Chris!
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Corey Garnett 5:07PM (7/12/2006)
white == m x5 mule?
notice the beefier oval shaped exhaust. In the straight on shot of the rear, it looks like they may even be single tip dual outlet exhaust like porsche uses on the turbo. while it's not the tell tale quads that have become the M signature, its definately different from the smaller traditional round tips on the black one.
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Jay 7:00PM (7/12/2006)
When I see a vehicle as lightly camoflauged as that one is and not looking vastly different from the vehicle it's replacing, I wonder if all that camo really helps...I wonder if the camo actually draws more attention to it than it would if it had none. I don't think I'd really notice it just out and about.
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Sanfam 7:18PM (7/12/2006)
The point isn't to make the car invisible, but to make the specific changes less clear or to make the car mistakable for another.
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KazO 7:30PM (7/12/2006)
The black one is probably the 260hp straight-6; the white one the 360hp V8. The current X5 has 2 round tips for the 3.0i, 4 rounds for the 4.4i, and 2 ovals for the 4.8is.
What I find odd is that there are indications that this thing is supposed to be released as soon as this fall or winter, yet there is no official information anywhere.
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Luis Longo 9:57PM (7/12/2006)
lol
Chris Belanger, is the copyright of the photo.
My lease ends this year, so i cant wait to get my hands on this one.
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Conor 6:33PM (7/14/2006)
1. The problem I have with the BMW SUVs (or SAVs as they like to call them) is that the front-end looks wimpy.
"I've driven both the X3 and the X5, and the are exceptional vehicles, but the external styling doesn't do it for me.
Guess that is why I bought the Range Rover instead.
Posted at 2:23PM on Jul 12th 2006 by Tool"
1. Tool???? Where on earth.... oh, nevermind
2.Range Rover?? RANGE ROVER???? And you thought that the BMW's were ugly! The Car looks like a cardboard box on wheels!! You are totally nuts.
A Range Rover, unbbeleivable.....
okay, I'm done...
for now...
i think...
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rob 2:26AM (7/21/2006)
old model has better appeal
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Sam 10:09PM (7/22/2006)
i also find it funny that there is no official information on the new x5 if its due out so soon.
i liked the current front end of the x5, it gives it a much mre macho look complimenting their engines, the new one is a bit more curves than i would have thought it to be
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