Overview
- Kith and BMW publicly revealed both cars at Pebble Beach, with coverage of the E53 and the 2027 G65 published on August 17–18, 2026 by multiple outlets.
- The restored first‑generation E53 was built over about a year in Lithuania around a CarBahn‑rebuilt 5.0‑liter S85 V10 mated to a custom six‑speed manual while keeping the factory all‑wheel‑drive system.
- Engine integration required major engineering work including custom mounts, wiring, software, a bespoke 9,000‑rpm instrument cluster that reads the V10’s electronic oil sensor, a custom exhaust, KW sport suspension, and upgraded BMW M brakes with Kith‑branded calipers.
- The 2027 X5 by Kith is a single, non‑production one‑off finished in Frozen Titanium Silver that uses an updated B58 inline‑six paired with a 48‑volt mild‑hybrid system and Kith‑specific interior and trim.
- Ronnie Fieg says the V10 E53 is intended to be driven regularly as a New York daily car, and the collaboration underscores the growing OEM+ trend of factory‑grade restorations that test how legacy engines and modern systems can be integrated.