Hang on, was this old V10 BMW X5 the greatest one-of-one at Monterey Car Week?

A highly specialized, one-of-one BMW X5 has debuted as part of the Monterey Car Week events. This vehicle is the result of a collaboration between BMW and the brand Kith. According to reporting from bmwblog, the project involves a 2027 BMW X5 by Kith, specifically a one-off G65 model that made its debut at Pebble Beach. Simultaneously, coverage from other automotive outlets focuses on a different aspect of the collaboration: a restomodded E53 X5 SUV. This specific version of the vehicle is equipped with a 10-cylinder V10 engine and a six-speed manual transmission, blending classic chassis design with high-performance mechanical upgrades. The coverage of this reveal is widespread across major automotive publications.

MotorTrend explicitly details the partnership between BMW and Kith in creating this one-of-one build for the Monterey event. Car and Driver highlights the specific mechanical configuration of the E53, noting the presence of the 10 cylinders and the manual transmission. Top Gear has questioned whether this particular V10 BMW X5 stands as the greatest one-of-one vehicle featured during Monterey Car Week, while Hagerty describes the manual six-speed V10 E53 as a restomod of their dreams. To understand the significance of this trend, it is necessary to recognize the context of Monterey Car Week and the nature of 'one-of-one' builds. This event is a primary venue for unveiling rare, bespoke, and high-value automotive projects. The E53 represents an older generation of the X5, and by 'restomodding' it—which involves restoring old vehicles with modern parts or unconventional powerplants—BMW and Kith have created a vehicle that does not exist in standard production.

The inclusion of a V10 engine and a manual stick shift in an SUV chassis is a rare configuration that appeals to enthusiasts of both performance and heritage. Future attention will likely remain on the specific details of the G65 and E53 iterations presented at Pebble Beach. While the coverage establishes the collaboration and the mechanical specs of the V10 restomod, it remains to be seen if more information will emerge regarding the availability or the design philosophy behind the Kith partnership. Observers will be monitoring how the automotive community responds to the integration of a manual transmission in this specific one-off model as the event concludes.