Business 291
Used electric cars are selling faster than petrol and hybrid models
In this issue
Business 291
Used electric cars are selling faster than petrol and hybrid models
Culture 320
Restored 1973 BMW 2002tii offered in New Hampshire after US return from Canada
Economy 48
Three Tankers Reportedly Strike Mines in Strait of Hormuz
News 161
Private parking firms face pressure as UK motorists call for fairer rules
Politics 121
Burnham denies stopping ministers from discussing closer EU ties
Sports 290
Tottenham meet Crystal Palace in Premier League fixture on 31 October
Technology 347
Rivian Delivers Electric Van Update With 30% More Range and AWD
BMW will offer M Performance parts for the X5 and electric iX5 from day one, adding aero upgrades, larger wheels and smarter cargo solutions aimed at family and fleet buyers.
By Edward Beaumont · 4 min read
BMW has confirmed that buyers of the new X5 and its electric sibling, the iX5, will be able to specify M Performance parts from the moment the cars go on sale, rather than waiting for a later accessory release. The move extends the company's performance-inspired personalisation programme to two of its most commercially important SUVs, covering both combustion and battery-electric versions.
The catalogue includes aerodynamic components, a range of larger wheel designs and what BMW describes as smarter cargo solutions. The parts are designed to be ordered alongside the vehicle, allowing customers to take delivery of a fully specified car rather than returning to a dealer for retrofitted upgrades.
For BMW, the decision reflects the growing importance of high-margin optional equipment. M Performance accessories have traditionally been associated with the brand's performance models, but extending them to volume-selling SUVs gives dealers a further opportunity to increase revenue per vehicle at a time when margins on new cars remain under pressure.
The X5 has long been one of BMW's best-selling models worldwide, and the addition of an electric iX5 variant places the pair at the centre of the company's transition towards electrification. Offering the same M Performance treatment to both powertrains signals that BMW intends to keep its performance branding relevant regardless of what sits under the bonnet.
The aero pieces are expected to sharpen the visual presence of the SUVs, while the larger wheel options will allow buyers to move away from standard fitments. The cargo solutions address a more practical concern, aimed at families and fleet operators who use their vehicles for work as well as leisure.
Fleet buyers are an important audience for the X5, particularly in markets where the model serves as a management or utility vehicle. Access to factory-fitted accessories at the point of order simplifies procurement and can improve residual values, since the parts are included in the original specification rather than added later.
BMW has not yet confirmed pricing for the individual components or the full packages. The company is expected to release detailed specifications closer to the launch of the vehicles, when dealers will begin taking orders.
The announcement underlines a broader trend among premium manufacturers, who increasingly treat personalisation as a core part of the buying process rather than an afterthought. By making M Performance parts available from day one, BMW is positioning the X5 and iX5 as vehicles that can be tailored to individual tastes without compromising the factory warranty or the integrity of the original build.
For buyers weighing a family SUV against something with more visual attitude, the expanded catalogue offers a middle path. The mechanical foundations remain unchanged, but the aesthetic and practical additions allow owners to distinguish their cars from the standard offering.
Further details, including the full list of available parts and their prices, are expected to be published as the launch approaches.
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