BMW to rival Mercedes-Benz G-Class

THE decades-long popularity of Mercedes-Benz’s G-Class, must have been too much for arch-rival BMW to bear, culminating in the planned introduction of an adventure-focused new model possibly built around the X5 SUV.

No doubt pressure has been brought to bear on head office from US-based BMW executives responding to potential buyers looking for a toughened up premium SUV they can take off-road with confidence.

Scheduled to be made in Greer, South Carolina, USA, the newcomer takes matters further than a premium “German” version of Subaru’s Outback and may build on an xOffroad pack that is already available for the X5.

Speculative images of the BMW four-wheel drive suggest a vehicle replete with plastic protection mouldings, off-road tyres and wheels and a raised ride height, all attributing to a more hard-core focus.

Media reports say the model is still years away with production scheduled for late 2029 which gives the manufacturer ample time to back out of the project if it so chooses.

But according to publication Automotive News, BMW is “fully committed”, planning to expand its line-up with a rugged utility model to challenge the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

“The new off-roader, coincidentally codenamed G74, is expected to ride on a variation of BMW’s mid-size X5 crossover platform and the adventure-oriented SUV would be BMW’s first new nameplate since the XM plug-in hybrid crossover launched in early 2023,” said Automotive News.

What’s more, sales forecasting database, AutoForecast Solutions say BMW plans to drop the slow-selling XM when production of the current generation ends in November 2028.

The new X5-based off-roader will likely be a so-called “Halo” vehicle similar to the XM designed as much for marketing purposes as for actual adventure off-road driving.

If it does come to fruition, Automotive News says a flagship off-road SUV would open up a lucrative portion of the market cornered by Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover, high-end models costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The challenge for BMW will be trying to convert G-Class customers the majority of whom already own a Mercedes-Benz.

Pundits suggest BMW may leverage its M performance brand for instant credibility to get customers over the line particularly as it has already produced M variants of the X5 that have pushed the limits on the track.

And as already mentioned an off-road pack is currently available for the MY 2025 X5 that hints at BMW’s ambitions with variants of the model in some markets featuring a locking rear differential, underbody protection, roof crossbars and specialized driving modes to handle rocks, sand and snow.

Automotive News says the X5 platform is the right size to draw from since X7 sizing could pose challenges for off-road adventures and BMW’s challenge will be replicating the G-Class’ formula of nostalgic styling, off-road capability and a sticker price that instantly elevates the driver to celebrity status.