THE 2018 BMW X5 ' SPY SHOTS AND EXCLUSIVE PICS!

Here we see the 2018 BMW X5 spotted with exclusive pictures!

The X5 will be released late next year, and will feature a new look packed with the latest car technology – while a new 600bhp X5 M will top the range.

It is understood that the car will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September 2018.

Before this debut, BMW will be launching the all-new X2 and a full-size Range Rover rival – the X7 – is also on the cards for 2018 The firm planted the seeds for its considerable SUV patch with the midsize X5 at the turn of the millennium. It has been through three generations already, and spy photographers have spotted the latest version in testing.

These exclusive pictures preview how BMW's next Audi Q7 rival could end up looking when it arrives.

The current X5, introduced in 2013, still uses the same architecture as the second-generation car from 2006. So a fresh platform will be a huge change for the 2018 X5. We expect to see the modified version of the platform underpinning the new 5 series under the skin of the next X5.

Cluster Architecture (more commonly known as 'CLAR') has already made the leap from saloon to SUV in the next X3 – shaving off 55kg off the kerb weight of the X5's little brother in the process. It is set to appear in the X7 too. We can expect even more weight shavings to be made on the larger X5 – this will be part of a bid to improve fuel economy on the car and will be joined by more efficient four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines from the 5 Series. 

Thanks to the CLAR platform, plug-in hybrid tech is also on the table.

At the top end of the range will be a new X5 M, which will use the refreshed 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine leading the way of the next M5 and deliver more than 600bhp and paired with all-wheel-drive with variable torque distribution. The X5 will not only be borrowing engines and a platform from the latest 5 Series...

The interior will benefit from a refresh inspired by the firm's latest saloon – with a redesign and all-new technology such as digital dials, the latest iDrive system and wireless Apple CarPlay. In addition, the new X5 will be gaining semi-autonomous driving features.

However, buyers will need to wait before getting their hands on the hi-tech newcomer – it is likely to only go on sale after the release at the end of next year.

Currently, the X1 is the best-seller favourite in the X range, but the X5 is still a key player. BMW shifted 166,219 of them in 2016 alone (a few thousand more than the X3) and this accounted for 8.3% of its business last year. 

Look at the exclusive pics below and let us know what you think!