BMW's Future: The Bangle Factor

Many are quick to criticise Chris Bangle for his radical take on the BMW theme, but there's a good chance the head of design at Bavarian Motor Works will be a hero in a few years.

The new line-up of BMW vehicles, arriving in the next two to three years, will determine whether Bangle stays or goes, and herein we'll look at what's coming from the Bavarian automaker and Bangle's mouse pointer.

While the new 7-series has been panned for its styling, courtesy of a particularly lumpy rear - and also the highly complex i-Drive system - the 5-series is looking a lot smoother, sportier even.

BMW is assuring the faithful that the new 5-series won't be as radically different as the big 7, and is evidenced in the two early renderings (right).

Rumours regarding the new M5 are gaining a lot of momentum, and insiders are already saying the 5.5-litre nat-atmo V10 is a definite for the sporty 5-series.

With some 402kW available via the right foot, the snoopsters reckon it will accelerate to 100km/h in less than 5.0 seconds - that's rather quick in anyone's book, and will give the likes of Porsche and Benz something to think about.

There is also talk of a new twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder mill, with a capacity of just 3.0-litres, but BMW is denying this.

Even so, some insiders are adamant that BMW is working on a forced induction powerplant of some sort, the idea behind it revolving around tougher emissions standards taking effect in the coming years.

And it would make sense, particularly considering word on street puts peak power for such a relatively small 3000cc powerplant at roughly 285kW.

Makes you wonder how much power the Falcon XR6 Turbo could pump out with twin turbines... Hmmm.

The new M5 is also expected to ship with a higher-spec version of the SMG gearbox found in the current M3, though you can expect another cog, as the 2004 M5 may be getting a seven-speed transmission.

Meanwhile, development of the BMW X3 has been very much a case of "will it or won't it," but these latest spy shots indicate that yes, it will.

Competing against the Land Rover Freelander, the X5's baby brother could well be yet another hit, particularly in the States.

Unsurprisingly then, is the rumour that BMW plans on officially announcing the new baby offroader at the 2003 Detroit Motor Show, which kicks off Sunday, January 6, 2003.

Allegedly, BMW wants to shift some 100,000 units in the first year of sale, and you can bet a large majority of those will find their way to America.

To be built in Austria, the X3 will offer a range of four and six-cylinder engines - just like the 3-series car range. This would include 2.3, 2.5 and 3.0-litre inline sixes, in addition to the valvetronic fours.

While nothing is set in concrete, there's a chance that the new AWD Beemer could even get the 3.2-litre 250+kW M3 engine, which would make it arguably the most powerful compact 4WD in existence. Well, here's hoping anyway...

The Bavarian 4WD will also get lots of techno-gadgetry to maximise traction, such as electronically controlled pneumatic suspension DSC, ASC and a permanent four-wheel drive transmission. It should be on sale in the US and Europe by late 2004, and we will see the X3 locally sometime in 2005, starting at around the $46,000 mark.

The most intriguing news this side of X7 rumours, however, is that BMW may be working on an MPV, or people mover.

Akin to the Mazda Premacy and Holden Zafira - that is, smaller MPVs - the new BMW would sit on 3-series underpinnings and as yet has no name. Making use of some very Z4-esque headlights, the new MPV could be a real head-turner, too.

While most people relate people moves with, well, moving people, rumour suggests that BMW's new MPV will set benchmarks in the genre, so it would be safe to assume that the new vehicle will have a bit of go. Websites such as Auto Express reckon BMW will lob 2.0, 2.2 and 2.5-litre valvetronic engines into the new MPV, the latter of which would provide plenty of go - roughly 140kW of power.

On road behaviour is also likely to set benchmarks, and seeing as this is BMW, the interior will also get leather everything and all sorts of other nifty features, though the iDrive system won't make the cut.

At the end of the day, the Bangle factor will play a key role in whether or not BMW shifts stock, but even sceptics would have to agree that BMW's future is bright. With the M-series of performance vehicles making use of more and more F1 technology, the rev heads out there will have something to smile about.

But a BMW MPV and the new X3 also make a lot of sense and could be big earners for the Germanic automaker. Along with the resurrected 6-series, which will be a sexier two-door version of the 5-series, and the new entry-level 1-series both coming in 2004, perhaps BMW isn't doomed under the creative auspices of one Mr. Bangle.