Here's that incredible V10-powered Kith X5

BMW never made a M version of its original SUV - here's what might have been

By Matt Bird / Tuesday, 18 August 2026 / Loading comments

You never quite know what you’re going to get with a Kith BMW. It might be a vibrant one off classic like the 6 Series ; it might be a suave and sophisticated new car, like the i4 was. Or it could be something totally crazy like this, the X5 powered by the V10 from an E60 M5.

The project was hinted at last week, easily the most exciting one-off project to come out of California this year. Because not only was the X5 getting an M5 heart transplant, it was also being treated to a manual gearbox; switching out SMG for a proper six speed has been popular for saloons and Tourings of late, but we’ve never seen V10, clutch pedal and gearlever in an X5. So here we are, the 2000 BMW X5 E53 by Ronnie Fieg.

It’s been in build for over a year, according to Kith, beginning with an extensive restoration of the donor car. Which, given every E53 X5 is now at least 20 years old - and there can’t have been many kept for posterity - was probably a huge task in itself. Still, without very much change of the exterior (save for some bulking up to accommodate what’s underneath), it’s a nice reminder of how smart the original Frank Stephenson design was.

After the restoration came the really fun stuff: fitting an X5 with a V10 and a manual, while retaining the all-wheel drive. While there were E53s in period with a clutch pedal, we’ve never seen anything quite like this before. When Kith suggests the build is a ‘custom integration’ of the 5.0-litre, there’s probably quite a bit of work involved. While this X5 era did get an engine as large as a 4.8 V8, it hails from the generation before the E60 M5 came along with its V10. Getting one to talk with the other, particularly with nothing like it done before, sounds tricky.

But it’s done, and with a custom exhaust as well, so the X5 by Ronnie Fieg ought to sound the part. Additional work includes new suspension and M Sport brakes, hopefully up to the task of slowing down the X5 as well as it goes (though not guaranteed given BMW brakes of the early 2000s).

The inside is as subtle as the outside, all things considered; when the most noticeable feature is a gearstick, the makeover really is discreet. But look a little closer and there are some neat touches, including bespoke Kith dials and leather embossed with the Kith monogram. Like the outside in fact, this X5 serves as a reminder of just how cool and classy BMW interiors once were.

The Titanium Silver Kith X5 is a one off BMW, representing ‘the fourth chapter of their ongoing partnership, presenting a multifaceted collection of apparel, accessories, and bespoke automobiles.’ There’s a 2027 X5 as part of chapter four, too, but we’ll spare you from that. From here we’d say it’s another brilliant creation, but then we probably would - that V10 installed anywhere would be cool. And for those feeling inspired by Ronnie Fieg, the PH classifieds has plenty to offer (if not quite the full V10 X5, sadly): there are M6s in both coupe and cabrio forms, plus some lovely M5 saloons. And even a sole V8 X5…