BMW coined a new term (as it often does) when it introduced the first BMW X5. Now this SAV has become even more savvy. John Oxley reports.
When BMW introduced the X5 to New Zealand in 2000 (known as E53), it made much fanfare over its terminology of SAV rather than the more-normal SUV, meaning Sports Activity Vehicle – “a practical utility vehicle designed to have excellent on-road abilities as well as limited off-road”.
In April 2007 the second-generation model, code-named E70, came in, and this was bigger and better, with a whole array of engines ranging from turbo-diesels through to V8s and turbo sixes, and eventually, with a seven-seat variant available for the first time.
And now we’re up the third generation, coded F15, and the wheel has in effect turned full circle, with SAV extended to further improve the X5’s on-road presence and fantastic ride and handling, yet retaining that SAV versatility by having more than a modicum of off-road ability, too.
I drove around 500km at the launch of the new vehicle, held mainly in the Hawkes Bay region, most of that in the 3-litre 30d version, and I must say I felt just as fresh at the end of the day as I had at the beginning – and in fact even a little energised by the superb ride and handling of this new X5, as well as its simply stomping performance which allows you to blast past slower vehicles without even pausing for thought.
First F15s off the rank in NZ will be the X5 30d and X5 M50d, and standard features have been extended to include some which were previously options, such as Head-Up display, rear-view camera with surround view, eight-speed sport automatic transmission, bi-xenon adaptive headlights and automatic tailgate.
Further models, including a new X5 25d and X5 40d, will be added to the range early next year.
Prices have risen over the previous model, by $4,000 to $129,000 for the 30d, and $6,000 to $174,000, but BMW NZ says the difference is more than offset by the extra features. And these are drive-away prices, with no extras.
The only petrol model for the range, the X5M, is still a way off, and no pricing is available yet.
The latest X5 is brand-new from the wheels up, and even the engines have been upgraded, the 3-litre straight six 30d gaining 10kW (to 190kW) and 20Nm of torque (to 560Nm), while 0-100km/h acceleration has been cut to 6.9 seconds and fuel consumption to 6.2L/100km.
The M50d uses the same 3-litre basic engine, but with no fewer than three turbo-chargers to boost power output to 280kW and torque to 740Nm, resulting in a 0-100km/h time of 5.3 seconds and overall consumption of 6.7L/100km.
And all of this in a vehicle which tips the scales at 2.2 tons!
For the first time an eight-speed sports transmission (with launch control) will be used across the range.
As before, the design change to the new car is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, but it is a distinct change, with a more-sloping windscreen and a more powerful-looking front end, with twin circular headlight units extending into the BMW kidney grille.
The silhouette is more stretched, and the vehicle is 32mm longer (and 2mm wider) , while Air Curtains for the front apron, Air Breathers in the front ‘guards, and Aero Blades at the rear, help improve aerodynamics. The 30d is also 30kg lighter.
Inside there’s a brand-new dashboard dominated by a freestanding 10 inch screen that does duty for the satnav and the various cameras, one of which has a wide angle that enables the driver to easily see when emerging from a side street or car park, or heading over a blind rise off-road.
There are two trim levels, Pure Experience and Pure Excellence, both available from launch in addition to the optional M Sport package, allowing buyers to further individualise vehicles.
The Pure Experience exterior is fitted as standard in the 30d and underscores the off-road charisma and SAV character of the X5, while the no-cost-option Pure Excellence exterior is more elegant.
New BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance systems and mobility services add further to the X5’s feature list, including the new Driving Assistant safety package which consists of lane departure warning and collision warning system with braking function as standard on the 30d.
The X5 M50d has driving assistant plus as standard, which includes driving assistant and active cruise control with Stop&Go function.
Other strengths include enhanced visibility, plus an increase in versatility due to a 40:20:40 split/folding rear seat backrest, and an optional additional third row of seats which fold away completely into the luggage compartment floor.
Luggage capacity starts at 650 litres with two rows up, and increases to 1,870 litres when the rear seat backrest is folded down (five-seat model).
