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Spyshots: 2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo

After skipping the mid-life facelift for the current generation, BMW is looking to launch the all-new X5 SUV as soon as possible. Here are the latest spyshots, showing fresh details around the headlights and lower front bumper.
2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo 13 photos
Photo: CarPix
2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo2019 BMW X5 Shows Gigantic Kidney Grilles, Sheds Some Camo
Do test engineers have a schedule according to which they strip camo? "It's February, time to cut a little square on the front bumper. The spy people will love it."

In any case, the X5 looks like a slightly sportier version of the X7, which we've seen in pre-production guise. Like its big brother, the quintessential BMW SUV now has a couple of oversized kidney grilles. But these seem a little more rectangular and slanted inwards, like on the Z4.

The previous generation X5 launched in 2014 but was a re-hashed version of the 2007 model. This all-new SUV is expected around the middle of 2018 as a 2019MY.

Underneath the skin is an off-roader version of the Cluster Architecture. Think of it as the jacked-up, bloated version of the 5 Series sedan. Weight savings are pretty much guaranteed, thanks to a combination of fancy-sounding materials - aluminum, magnesium, and carbon-fiber.

Engine-wise, we don't expect any big surprises, as most customers will go for either the 3.0-liter turbos or the 4.4-liter V8, which will probably only be fitted to the X5 M50i and the X5 M. But, let's not forget that the Mercedes GLE probably won't have a non-AMG V8.

Due to the weight savings, there should be a 4-cylinder base model, but it won't make much sense. BMW will also offer the X5 xDrive45e iPerformance, with more electric juice than its predecessor. There's a new law in China that says 8% of all the cars you sell have to plug into the wall.

Big changes we expect for the 2019 X5 include a silly self-parking remote control and equally silly gesture controls. There could also be an M Sport X body kit makings its debut.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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