The carmaker says rugged SUVs have become a global phenomenon, but a pickup is beyond the brand
May 6, 2024 at 06:29
- The company unveiled its most recent pickup concept in 2019, based around an X7.
- Demand for vehicles like the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser could prompt BMW to develop a rugged SUV.
- The X3 and X4 are thought to be possible candidates for a rugged makeover.
BMW has suggested it is open to launching a more rugged SUV due to growing demand for such vehicles. However, it does not plan on launching a pickup truck.
The German brand has toyed with the idea of a pickup in the past and built a handful of prototypes over the decades, most recently in 2019 with a special X7 truck. However, during a recent interview with BMW Blog, senior vice president of the BMW brand and product management, Bernd Körber, said a pickup doesn’t suit the brand.
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“I think a pickup truck is beyond the brand,” he said. “In principle, I would say for a brand like BMW to differentiate, to make cars that are dream cars that really bring out the essence of BMW, we need niche models.”
While it would have been cool to see BMW release a pickup, a rugged SUV would suit it much better. The brand already builds a suite of capable and well-rounded high-riding models and could modify one of them into a rugged off-roader.
Körber said the brand recognizes the growing popularity of models like the Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defender and notes there is global demand for these vehicles.
“Rugged is an interesting trend because it has moved from the US, South Africa, and Australia phenomenon into a global phenomenon,” he said.
While Körber didn’t provide any indication as to what vehicle a rugged BMW SUV could be based around, BMW Blog thinks the X3 and X5 would be suitable candidates. Depending on how far the carmaker wants to go, it could simply jack up the ride height of one of its SUVs, install some skid plates, fit some wheel arch extensions, and call it a day. Alternatively, it could take a more serious approach with more significant upgrades like locking differentials, new axles, and more powerful engines.
