Regardless of providing SUV fashions for a quarter-century at this level (glad twenty fifth birthday, X5), BMW hasn’t actually gotten in on the off-roading sport like Mercedes-Benz does with its G-Class SUV. That will quickly change, nevertheless, if a report in Automotive Information is to be believed. The outlet claims that the German automaker most well-known for competent, all-weather crossovers and sporty sedans and coupes can be engaged on a bona fide off-road–succesful SUV that may lastly give BMW a rival to the likes of the Land Rover Defender and aforementioned G-Wagen.
A New Flagship BMW Sport-Ute
In accordance with one nameless tipster conversant in BMW’s product plans, the forthcoming off-roader will likely be based mostly on the next-generation X5’s Neue Klasse modular platform. Codenamed G74, it should sit above the corporate’s different SUV merchandise and will likely be constructed alongside its stablemates on the Plant Spartanburg facility in South Carolina. The G74 because of arrive within the second half of 2029, following the next-generation X5 by two or three years. That timing additionally suggests it’s going to informally exchange the slow-selling BMW XM plug-in hybrid efficiency SUV, which we have heard will likely be discontinued in 2028.
The automaker initially wished the XM to function a flagship BMW SUV and solely the second-ever M product and not using a non-M base variant. However given meager demand for the controversially styled sporty crossover, evidently the Bavarians will change tack, making the following range-topping Sports activities Exercise Automobile (to borrow firm parlance) will go for off-road functionality as an alternative of pavement-torching efficiency. We’re undecided if the as-yet-unnamed G74 will provide the identical type of rock-crawling chops because the Defender and G-Class or if it should as an alternative be extra of a high-speed rally raider, however we hope to search out out quickly.
Making Off-Street Inroads With The X5
The primary-generation BMW X5, launched for the 2000 mannequin 12 months, supplied some off-road efficiency, sharing powertrain tuning and hill descent controls with the third-generation L322 Land Rover Vary Rover. Nevertheless, its all-wheel-drive system used brake bias to make sure traction in tough circumstances, moderately than extra aggressive locking differentials and low-range gearing. Because of this, the first-genreration X5 was supposed extra for all-weather stability and dry-road dealing with prowess than outright rough-road functionality, a trait shared with all successive variations of the midsize SUV.
BMW tried to make its most well-known crossover much more succesful this 12 months, nevertheless, when it added a brand new xOffroad bundle to the 2025 X5 Silver Anniversary Version. That includes a mechanical locking rear differential, all-terrain tires, four-corner air suspension, and an array of terrain driving modes, the xOffroad pack – discovered solely on the Silver Anniversary – really gave the X5 some cheap grip and expertise in tough circumstances.
That stated, if BMW desires its future flagship off-roader to essentially compete with the likes of the G-Class, it might want to have far more wheel journey than the aforementioned X5 particular, in addition to vital underbody safety and minimalized method, departure, and breakover angles. Nonetheless, it is enjoyable to think about the corporate extending the bounds of its Final Driving Machine tagline to incorporate not solely pavement, however grime, gravel, and rocks as properly.
Supply: Automotive Information by way of Bimmerpost