You could say this 1980s BMW wagon is a digital throwback to what would’ve been the X5’s predecessor.
The BMW X5 is a familiar name across the states. The posh pavement crawler was quite a hit when it was first introduced in the year 2000. But have you ever thought about BMW making an SUV before the X5? Or perhaps a wagon? Something along the lines of iconic 1980s styling with the Bavarian touch of panache and exuberance.
We agree that the thought of BMW, or any brand other than Land Rover and Toyota, making SUVs in the 80s would’ve been sacrilegious. However, had BMW made such a thing, it could’ve easily been a well-received item among wealthy American households.
We’ll admit that a handful of BMW wagons were made during the 70s and 80s—some by the brand (which never made it to the U.S.) and others by notable coachbuilders. This, on the other hand, is an in-house render brought to you exclusively by HotCars.
You could say this 1980s BMW wagon is a digital throwback to what would’ve been the X5’s predecessor. Of course, BMW never had any plans to make this, but artist Timothy Adry Emmanual decided to let his creative juices flow and make it happen.
This X5 Wagon Is The Ultimate Sleeper We Wish BMW Made In The 1980s
Right off the bat, our X5 concept render has quite a few shared items, particularly, from the E30 3-Series and E28 5-Series, with elements from the E23 7-Series as well. The design is quintessentially 80s BMW, with squared-off windows and sharp edges.
Performance is not exactly the theme here, unlike most BMW cars of the era. This is evident in how Timothy incorporated roof bars and higher ground clearance into the wagon architecture. For reference, our render also includes the E53 X5, giving us an insight into how styling evolved up to that point.
The E53 X5 was never a looker, but it made quite an impact. You could say profit margins were a driving force behind the E53’s existence. The SUV was more of a corporate decision by BMW’s top brass, given their latest acquisition of Land Rover. Honestly, we wouldn’t blame BMW since a lot of brands were starting to experiment with SUVs. It clearly worked. Look at where we are now. Almost everything on the road is an SUV.
Truth be told, the E53 doesn’t hold a candle to our concept X5. For the moment, it’s called an X5 wagon. Admittedly, Touring would’ve made more sense, given the brand’s naming history. What you would agree on, however, is how cool-looking the idea is. Perhaps why a lot of coachbuilders at the time decided to capitalize on the extended roofline concept.
Our 1980s Bavarian Wagon Is From A Time When BMW Designs Weren’t An Eyesore
Wagons were a particular favorite among American households before the 21st century. Although wagons are still a thing in some parts of the world, it’s a rare breed in North America. Especially these days, given how SUVs have taken over the market.
Older BMWs (not all, mind you) had subtlety in the way they looked. The design was more clinical and simple, which is not the case with modern BMWs. Take any new Beemer, and it’d be hard to justify its looks. Especially considering how gorgeous some of its cars were in the past.
Our X5 render shows that incorporating boxy proportions isn’t necessarily a bad decision. It keeps things period correct while giving the overall design a sense of cohesiveness. Look closely at the concept, and you’ll see timeless BMW styling tied together with faux-wood side paneling, a typical trait of wagons from the 70s and 80s.
The wide fender extensions paired with the meaty all-terrain tires add to the visual drama. Keen-eyed amongst you would’ve noticed the beautifully integrated Hofmeister kink visible on the rear quarter window. There is sculpture in the design, but it’s subtle. Undoubtedly, our 1980s X5 wagon is quite an attractive BMW, with classic lines and distinct Bavarian styling.
What Could Have Powered This 1980s BMW X5 Wagon?
Given the utilitarian intentions, we wouldn’t expect a massive M powerplant to drive the wheels. Our bet is on the 3.4L straight-six from the E23 735i. The six-pot churns out 182 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque. Plenty enough, given cars of that era didn’t weigh all that much. Judging by the thin A-pillars, we can assume the X5 wagon (or Touring) to be far lighter and nimbler than its E53 sibling.
Sure, it won’t be setting any lap times, but it should handle quite a bit of abuse. If BMW produced this in the 1980s, it would’ve given the Audi 5000 stiff competition. Not to mention the Mercedes-Benz W123 wagon. It’s a shame that BMW didn’t consider selling this in America, or anywhere else for that matter.
