2018 BMW X5 Spotted Wearing Its Final Production Body

BMW continues the development work on the next generation of its SUVs, and after the X3 we showed you a little while ago, it’s the X5’s turn to show up in front of our spies wearing its final production bodywork.

There’s only a thin layer of camouflage wrap applied on the test car you see in the photos. Don’t let the smart covers fool you though as the lighting elements all around are fake and not the final production items. The set of the bigger kidney grilles combined with a more pronounced front end gives the new X5 a more dynamic look.

As with the latest batch of big BMWs, the new X5 is going to be based on the same CLAR (Cluster Architecture) modular platform with the 5- and 7-Series models. This means that the new generation will not only be more rigid but also significantly lighter as well, with our intel talking about savings that range between 250 and 300kg (550lbs to 660lbs).

The adoption of the new platform also means that the new generation of the X5 will be compatible with plug-in hybrid powertrains like the one used in the new 530e. The rest of the range will be covered by a traditionally wide array of four-, six- and eight-cylinder options, both petrol and diesel, mirroring those offered in -you guessed it- the 5-Series.

Of course the range will be topped by a new M version on a later date, which is believed to use the same powertrain with the M5. A twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 with over 600hp is going to offer its services under the bonnet.

BMW will launch the new X5 sometime in 2018, with the flagship X7 SUV to follow the next year.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops