The fierce competition in the premium midsize SUV segment has made BMW work on an entirely new generation of the X5.

According to Autonews, the new X5 is expected to be introduced in late 2017 or early 2018, and will benefit from the semi-autonomous driving technology, which will probably be identical to the system used on the new 5-Series. In addition to its self-driving features, the SUV will also gain the latest connectivity gizmos, along with driver assist equipment.

Under the skin, the next BMW X5 will use the CLAR architecture from the latest 7-Series, which will help it drop a significant amount of weight, while improving its handling and reducing carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption.

Performance will be enhanced as well as the engine lineup is getting ready to be refreshed, with the addition of new or modified four-, six-, and eight-cylinder units. The most potent member of the family, the X5 M, will live on, and so will the M50d.

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