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BMW details Concept X5 eDrive ahead of New York debut

Already weighing more than most other types of vehicles and with the space to accommodate the extra equipment, crossovers and SUVs arguably make for one of the more ideal platforms to transform into a hybrid. And there have been a handful of them - like the Audi Q5, Infiniti QX60/Nissan Pathfinder, Porsche Cayenne/Volkswagen Touareg, Lexus RX450h/Toyota Highlander and Cadillac Escalade/Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon - but by and large the majority of hybrids on the market are sedans and hatchbacks. BMW, however, looks poised to join the minority with the X5.
The Bavarian automaker showcased the X5 eDrive concept at Frankfurt last year, and as promised, has now revealed the followup it will present at the New York Auto Show in just a few days. The new Concept X5 eDrive, as BMW has now revealed, pairs a 2.0-liter turbo four good for 245 horsepower to a 95-hp electric motor to deliver a combined 340 horsepower. Its lithium-ion battery can power it for up to 20 miles and at speeds up to 75 miles per hour before the gasoline engine needs to kick in. All that without sacrificing the vehicle's utility, maintaining an almost perfectly flat loading floor with 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, and without sacrificing much on performance, either: with a 0-62 time of seven seconds flat, the X5 eDrive concept is quicker off the line than the production X5 with the 2.5-liter turbodiesel and just a tenth off of the 3.0-liter turbodiesel.
With the full technical details now released (you can delve into it all in the press release below), the only question remains when BMW will actually put the X5 eDrive into production. Given its appearance in New York, though, we gather that whenever it does reach showrooms, it'll reach American ones as well.

Next-generation BMW 5 Series spied in Touring trim

It almost seems as if BMW just started selling the current-generation 5 Series, yet one of our spy photographers has already spotted a next-generation prototype in Touring form. Little is known about the luxury wagon in this early stage of testing, but it is expected to weigh much less than the current car, which, in 528i Touring guise with an automatic transmission, tips the scale at over 3,800 pounds. It is also expected to have the latest in driver-assistance technology. Despite the weight savings, and judging from the photos, it looks to have proportions similar to the current car, but don't expect the makeshift headlight and taillight clusters to make it onto the production model.
The crucial question for potential Touring customers in the United States is whether BMW will do the unexpected and import it here. The company's track record indicates that it will be sold in Rest of World markets only, but we're hoping that the next 5 Series will end the Touring's U.S. hiatus (and the 5 Series Gran Turismo's reign), which began in 2003 at the end of the E39 generation.

Revised 2015 BMW 6 Series family shows its tweaked face to the world [w/video]

BMW is unwrapping refreshed versions of its luxurious 6 Series family for the 2015 model year, and the range features some styling tweaks inside and out, along with new standard tech. The biggest change for 2015 is a redesign at the front end to make the 6 look even sharper than before. Only BMW superfans might notice one of the reasons why, though. There are now nine slats in the kidney grille instead of 10 to create larger openings. In addition, all versions get standard Adaptive full-LED headlights with a slightly more angular shape. They're joined by new side mirrors with integrated indicators in thin strips of lights. Lower down, a revised front air dam boasts a tweaked design and LED foglights at each top edge. Updated side window surrounds are exclusive to the four-door model and feature the Gran Coupe name embossed into them near the rear doors. Buyers of any of the models can choose among a palette of new colors including: Jatoba metallic, Cashmere Silver metallic, Glacier Silver metallic, Mediterranean Blue metallic and Melbourne Red metallic. For 2015, the interior revisions are subtle. There's high-gloss black trim covering the center console, and LEDs are used for some lighting. Navigation, heated front seats, two-zone climate control, dynamic cruise control and heated exterior mirrors all come standard for all models, though. If the regular leather doesn't suit you, then there are now Ivory White/Black and Cognac/Black two-tone Nappa options. Mechanically, the 6 Series family carries over from last year. That gives the 640i a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six making 315 horsepower and the 650i a turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 445 hp. The M6 carries over its 560-hp version of the V8, too. Standard models get an eight-speed automatic with optional all-wheel drive, and the M has a seven-speed dual-clutch. If all this isn't enough for some buyers, there are also two new optional packs. The Black Accent Package adds high-gloss black parts for the grille, window surrounds and pipes, plus includes Cognac/Black leather inside with wood trim. The M Sport Edition brings an M body kit, steering wheel and 20-inch wheels, along with cabin additions like a leather dashboard, ventilated seats and soft-close doors. Read all the details about the latest crop of 6 Series models in BMW's verbose press release below, and while you're there, check out an official BMW video.