Some details about the future BMW X5 and X6

The information I’m about to share comes from an article by Georg Kacher for the American magazine Automobile. Kacher is a German journalist whose predictions in the automotive world are highly regarded for their subsequent accuracy. In this case, the vehicles subject to Mr. Kacher’s forecast are the BMW X5 and X6.

Both the X5 and the X6 will undergo a significant weight reduction thanks to the adoption of an all-wheel-drive system derived from the 5 Series. This will save around 150 kg and, together with other weight-saving measures, will bring the mass of the base X5 version to approximately 1,800 kg. The trade-off for this diet will be the disappearance of the rear differential with torque vectoring fitted to the current generation of the X6.

As for the engines, a new package of measures aimed at improving energy efficiency is expected. The range will continue to consist of the traditional 6- and 8-cylinder engines, as well as two 4-cylinder units (one diesel and one petrol). There will also be a plug-in hybrid version featuring 350 CV from the combustion engine (a 6-cylinder inline unit), plus 110 CV from the electric motor.

The M performance variants will benefit from a battery of energy-saving systems that will help increase their performance by 10-15%. Fortunately, this will not mean giving up the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 they use today; instead, power will rise to 565 CV.

The new X5 will most likely be unveiled at the 2014 NAIAS, and six months later it will be the turn of the X6.

Via | Automobile