These two vehicles would be the biggest competition that the ML-Class would face in this segment, and engineers would naturally be keen to see how the next-generation vehicle would fare when up against them.

The pictures were taken in Southern Europe, where two ML prototypes in deep camouflage were seen when the entourage was taking a break from testing. The vehicle seems to be a bit lower than its forerunner.

Set to debut as a 2012 model in 2011, the ML Class is likely to have engine options that include the 3.0 liter V6 diesel, a 3.5 liter gasoline/petrol V6 and a range-topping 5.5 liter V8.

It is likely that a hybrid variant will also be available, with the company saying that a plug-in hybrid variant is also being considered.

(Via WCF)

The two beauties – a BMW X5 and a BMW X6 equipped with BMW Performance accessories – parked in a garage and left to doze off would dream, or so we do imagine. It is all about how your inner eye sees it. We did that and got to see what they would do. What we saw is here in the form of a video.

Check it out and tell us if this is what you too have seen.

When the power rendered by the customary BMW X5 crossover utility vehicle 3.0L engine is not enough, it is big tuning houses like the Germans from Hatrge who come to the rescue. Hatrge has introduced the xDrive35d Performance Package for the BMW X5 which increases the ponies from the standard 265 hp to an appreciable 328hp.

The magic was worked upon by recalibrating the ECU and furnishing a sport exhaust system for the CUV. As a consequence of these changes, the X5 pelts from 0 to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds (impressive for such a heavy car) which is 0.9 seconds better than the original, on its way to a max speed of 244km/h. To accommodate the more powerful engine, Hatrge have used the previously released body kit that includes redesigned front and rear fascias, wheel arch extensions and bolder two-piece side sills. The fully trimmed CUV costs €87,277.

G-POWER had an X5 Typhoon in place a few months back and that too was a powerful machine capable of producing 525 hp but then it seemingly got annoyed with BMW exceeding that power for the standard X5 M confirmed at 555 hp. In response to this development, G-Power has now come up with an even more powerful variant of the X5 — the X5 Typhoon RS that churns 625hp with a maximum torque of 700Nm from an entirely overhauled 4.8-litre V8. The impetus came from a G-POWER SK III RS supercharger with a 1.0 bar boost pressure. With these additions, the X5 can hit the 100Km/h mark in 4.5 seconds and tops it out at 285km/h. This fierce engine is mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission all functioning on an xDrive AWD system. You even get some trendy accessories like a design speedometer, a sports steering wheel and aluminum bits.

International Motor Show in Geneva this year is going to be big. Very big, because there are so many announcements with lots of new models coming up. That’s the case with this BMW twin-turbo diesel hybrid X5 that uses the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept technology. The engine is a 2.0 liter four cylinder diesel that sports 204hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a hybrid motor that brings 20hp more and 154 lb-ft of torque.

It uses a 8-speed gearbox designed by ZF and it should be able to come up with 43.5 mpg, and with 172 g/km of CO2 emissions. This is so green that the solar panels have been mounted on the roof. This is going to be the world premiere of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics X5 so I bet it’s gonna be big.

via AutoBlog