Ive read in Autoweek and few other mags recently that BMW will be producing an expedition sized ute with a 400HP V8 and a 450HP 6.0 V12 naturally aspirated and may build a pick up with the same engines. Built in the US plant.
That could be some interesting competiton for our L's.

 

expedition sized? I don't think so. They do have a pickup coming out very soon. It is a 4 door, but is basically the same as the current BMW sport ute with a bed cut into the back of it.

 

Kinda like the explorer "sport trac" thingie Ford has now?

Daniel

 

Here is what I found over at Pickuptruck.com about the BMW "pickup"

Click here fo the article http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/future/bmw/bmw.html

"Two variants of pickup truck would be produced - the 'traditional' extended cab version, as pictured above, and a four door, short bed version similar in concept to the Explorer Sport Trac. Both trucks would arrive with standard full-time, all-wheel drive with traction control and a choice of a 3.0L (225 hp I6) or 4.4L (282 hp V8) engine."

[This message has been edited by BlueFlareside (edited 09-05-2000).]

 

so the only potentially scarey one is that one that might use that Vortec 8100 w/340hp, 485ft/lb

 

Just as long as they don't consider an M version with the 400hp V8 out the M5. That could get hairy. I guess I should sit on the fence on this one as an owner of 2 Motorsport series BMWs and an L. All I can say is I'm glad it's not those other Germans at MB or Audi trying it on!

Andrew

 

For what it's worth, Automotive News, the primary trade publication for the industry, did say that BMW was "considering" a pickup as well as possibly an SUV with the V-12 with "over 400 hp"

That they are capable of doing such a thing I think is not something to question. Quite honestly, the only obstacle I could see for the likes of us is that the vehicle/s would likely go for upwards of $60 to $70K.

While it may not be as refined as a BMW, I think if one added a $30K premium in upgrades to a Lightning you might approach or exceed BMW's offering in terms of all around performance.

Probably still get stuck with the mouse fuzz interior appointments and floor mats, but what the heck.

Bill

While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a whole lot more reliable than the enthusiast oriented magazines.

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If they chose to use the V-12, it would be fairly unorthodox for BMW as the cost factor of equipping such a vehicle would rise dramatically. It would be the first time I've seen the V-12 mooted for a model other the the 7 series.

In the build quality and performance stakes I would anticipate a car that drove very much like the X-5. I would at this stage doubt such a model being a competitive threat to the Ls performance, that is unless the Motorsport devision get their hands on it. I am quite shure however that such a truck will have high levels of build quality and refinement, but when you pay BM$$ you expect that.

 

Current "Street Trucks" magazine has a picture (not an artist's rendering) of one that is a true 4 door like the sport trac. Not much information on it though. The one in the above drawing may be something else entirely different they have in the works.

 

Eventually, we'll all have to prepare ourselves for a performance blow from somebody out there that just can't stand having a Ford truck as the king of the hill. My hat's off to Lightning for being on top for what looks like at least three, possibly four years straight. Apparently, there's a lot of pressure to produce Outback style vehicles (station wagon style trucks) to avoid the monstrous SUV binge that America's women have so heartily embraced. This will create lighter, quicker cars which handle better, still have all-wheel drive and all the high-tech goodies you can imagine. So the Chevy SS may have to pull out all the stops and get it just right or there may soon be only a few people on the buying line.

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Good hunting and check six

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