JULY 8, 2026

The original - and still our favorite - Autoextremist logo. 

The AE Quote of the Century: Everybody loves The High-Octane Truth. Until they don't. -WG 

(BMW images)

BMW has taken the wraps off its fifth generation X5, which "brings together a powerful new design, innovations from the Neue Klasse, and the broadest range of drive systems ever offered in a BMW model," according to BMW PR minions. The new X5 will be the first BMW to launch with five drive system types (depending on market), giving customers an unprecedented level of choice. The 2027 BMW X5 lineup will include internal combustion engines with 48V mild hybrid technology, a plug-in hybrid and the first all-electric BMW iX5.

The new BMW iX5, the first battery-electric BMW X5, debuts with sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology. In the BMW iX5 60 xDrive, that means an estimated 435 miles of range (preliminary estimate based on BMW AG testing following EPA testing procedures), fast charging, 800V technology and practical bidirectional charging, enabled by new 120-millimeter cylindrical cells used in the high-voltage battery.

The 2027 BMW X5 rollout begins in October with the market launch of the X5 40 xDrive. The rear-wheel-drive X5 40, plug-in hybrid X5 50e xDrive and first battery-electric variant, the iX5 60 xDrive, will follow in the first quarter of 2027. Additional models, including a V8-powered M Performance variant, are scheduled to arrive later in 2027. Well down the road, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen will bring hydrogen fuel-cell technology to series production, pairing all-electric driving with quick refueling stops.

Plant Spartanburg has assembled the BMW X5 since its 1999 debut. Now, the plant reaches another milestone as the new BMW iX5 becomes the first all-electric vehicle to come from the US facility. Just down the road from the plant in Woodruff, the new sixth-generation high-voltage battery facility for the iX5 requires no fossil fuels for normal operations, underscoring BMW’s rigorous approach to reducing emissions in production.

The 2027 BMW X5 40 will carry a base MSRP of $69,800, while the 40 xDrive will start at $72,100. The all-wheel drive X5 50e xDrive PHEV opens at $77,500, and the fully electric iX5 60 xDrive at $79,800. Each requires a destination and handling charge of $1,450.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: This week, our video features the "11 Best V10 F1 Runs" at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It makes you realize how muted and uninspired the current F1 cars are. Watch it here. -PMD

The AE Song of the Week: 

Baby, you can find me under the lights
Diamonds under my eyes
Turn the rhythm up, don't you wanna just
Come along for the ride?
Ooh, my outfit so tight
You can see my heartbeat tonight
I can take the heat, baby, best believe
That's the moment I shine

'Cause every romance shakes and it bends
Don't give a damn
When the night's here, I don't do tears
Baby, no chance

I could dance, I could dance, I could dance

Watch me dance, dance the night away
My heart could be burnin', but you won't see it on my face
Watch me dance, dance the night away (Uh-huh)
I'll still keep the party runnin', not one hair out of place

Lately, I been movin' close to the edge
Still be lookin' my best
I stay on the beat, you can count on me
I ain't missin' no steps

'Cause every romance shakes and it bends
Don't give a damn
When the night's here, I don't do tears
Baby, no chance

I could dance, I could dance, I could dance

Watch me dance, dance the night away
My heart could be burnin', but you won't see it on my face
Watch me dance, dance the night away (Uh-huh)
I'll still keep the party runnin', not one hair out of place

When my heart breaks (They never see it, never see it)
When my world shakes (I feel alive, I feel alive)
I don't play safe (Ooh), don't you know about me? (Uh-huh)
I could dance, I could dance, I could dance

Even when the tears are flowin', they're diamonds on my face
I'll still keep the party goin', not one hair out of place (Yes, I can)
Even when the tears are flowin', they're diamonds on my face (Yes, I can, yes, I can)
I'll still keep the party goin', not one hair out of place

Watch me dance, dance the night away (Uh-huh)
My heart could be burnin', but you won't see it on my face
Watch me dance (Dance), dance the night away (Uh-huh)
I still keep the party runnin', not one hair out of place

When my heart breaks (They never see it, never see it)
When my world shakes (I feel alive, I feel alive)
I don't play safe, don't you know about me? (Uh-huh)
I could dance, I could dance, I could dance

Dance the night

"Dance The Night" by Dua Lipa from "Barbie: The Album" (2023).* Written by Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt and Caroline Ailin. Dance The Night lyrics © Songs Of Zelig, Concord Copyrights, Viking Jamz Publishing, Radical 22 Publishing Limited, Hi Fi Asset Acquisition Co Lp Bmi, Wbd Music As, Wbd Music B. Watch the Original Music Video here.

*This song is from Barbie: The Album, the soundtrack to the 2023 movie Barbie. The first live-action adaptation of the iconic Barbie fashion dolls by Mattel, the film takes viewers on a journey alongside Barbie herself. As she awakens to the imperfections of her life, she embarks on an adventure to find happiness in the real world, accompanied by her beloved partner, Ken. It draws inspiration from Mary Pipher's 1994 non-fiction book, Reviving Ophelia, which examines the effects of societal pressures on American adolescent girls. Atlantic and Warner Records released "Dance The Night Away" as the soundtrack's lead single on May 25, 2023. As well as providing the lead single, Dua Lipa also has a cameo appearance in the film playing a mermaid variation of Barbie. Dua Lipa wrote "Dance The Night" in collaboration with Norwegian songwriter Caroline Ailin, and with Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, both of whom composed the music for the film. Mark Ronson slid into Lipa's Instagram DMs to bring the song to life. According to a screenshot he shared after the song's release, Ronson expressed his excitement to the singer about working on the Barbie movie and praised its hilariously clever script. "There's a song with a huge 60-person dance number with the whole cast – I only have the track so far, as they started rehearsals, but I would f–king love it if you would consider co-writing and starring on it," he wrote. "I honestly think the movie's going to be incredible."

Lipa and Ailin previously collaborated on the pop star's hit songs "New Rules" and "Don't Start Now." Ronson and Wyatt joined forces with the French production duo Picard Brothers to craft the track. Together, they blend their skills to create a production that exudes a disco-inspired sound reminiscent of Dua Lipa's 2020 album, Future Nostalgia. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

Editor's Note: Click on "Next 1 Entries" at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. - WG