New From BMW Stable: BMW X5 Revealed
BMW is all set to recreate its entire X family and the new- generation X5 bares testimony to that. First launched in 1999, the BMW X5 was built with Land Rover technology (back when BMW owned Land Rover).
By Ameya Naik
BMW is all set to recreate its entire X family and the new- generation X5 bares testimony to that. First launched in 1999, the BMW X5 was built with Land Rover technology (back when BMW owned Land Rover).
The X5 borrowed its Hill Descent System and Off Road Engine Management system from the Range Rover HSE and it borrowed the engine and electronic system from the BMW 5-Series.
13 years later and into its third generation, BMW has given the X5 its evolutionary design language, of course with some elements borrowed from the new-gen BMW X3 and X1.
The front grille is more prominent with an aerodynamic front bumper and optional LED adaptive headlights. The new X5 has grown in dimensions so it offers more interior room and a rise in the boot capacity. Boot capacity is up by 30 litres at 650 litres.
The new BMW X5 has been given a more luxurious interior and the styling is in line with the recent BMW models. BMW also gives the buyers an option of two rear seat configurations: a fixed 40/20/40 split bench arrangement and a newly developed 70/30 split bench.
Then there is a standard Poplar Wood Trim combined with a high-gloss black surface, but for the US market BMW will offer the standard BMW system with touchpad, a freestanding 10.2-inch Control Display Monitor.
The 3rd generation of the BMW SUV will come with an improved range of multimedia features as part of its ConnectedDrive initiative. So, full internet access, in-car use of Facebook, Twitter and other online services, not to forget dictation function with speech recognition for e-mails and text messages, build up the feature list of the X5.
The new-gen BMW X5 will be offered with a choice of three engines. The X5 sDrive35i and X5 xDrive35i models will get the 3.0-litre, 300bhp churning, TwinPower Turbo inline-6 engine. The xDrive35i sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.
The top-of-the-line X5 xDrive 50i will be powered by the 4.4-litre, 445bhp, V-8 engine and this will take just 4.9 seconds to go from 0 to 100km/h.
Beside these petrol engines, there is a diesel variant too. The X5 xDrive35d is powered by a 3.0-litre engine that delivers a total of 255bhp and does 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds.
The three engines will be combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a new function called ECO PRO that accelerates response and transmission characteristics.
In ECO PRO mode, the engine management, accelerator response and transmission characteristics are systematically tailored to support a particularly fuel-efficient, low-rpm driving style.
At the same time, ECO PRO mode also programs electrically powered functions like the climate control, heated seats and heated exterior mirrors.
The 3rd generation of the BMW X5 will be built at BMW's Spartanburg plant in the USA and we know that BMW will be eager to bring it to India too.
