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BMW describes third-generation X5

Published on Monday, June 3, 2013

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BMW describes third-generation X5

BMW USA Photo



Enlarge photo

BMW USA Photo



Enlarge photo

BMW USA Photo



Enlarge photo

BMW USA Photo



BMW USA announced the launch of the third generation X5.

It isn’t often that an automobile manufacturer gets to launch an entirely new vehicle segment, but that’s exactly what BMW did in 1999 when it introduced the world’s first Sports Activity Vehicle – the BMW X5. Two generations and some 1.3 million vehicles later, the BMW X5 is set to enter its third generation.  As its predecessors have done before, the all-new 3rd generation X5 will again set new standards for luxury, versatility and – because it is a BMW first and foremost – driving dynamics.

The all-new BMW X5 will offer a new model and a first for the original Sports Activity Vehicle, the X5 sDrive35i, which marks the first time that an X5 model has been offered with rear-wheel drive. It, along with the X5 xDrive35i, will be powered by BMW’s multi-award winning 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-six. The V8-powered X5 xDrive50i will use BMW’s latest 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8. It offers improvements in horsepower and torque, while at the same time improving efficiency. These models will arrive in US showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2013. Based on its popularity over the last several years, a new BMW Advanced Diesel model will join the line-up a few months later. The 2nd-generation X5 xDrive35d features a new 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder diesel engine. It will provide the abundant torque for which BMW Advanced diesels have become renowned while offering significant improvements in efficiency over its predecessor. All models will be equipped with BMW’s latest 8-speed automatic transmission. As was true of its predecessors, the all-new BMW X5 will be produced exclusively at BMW’s production facility in Spartanburg, SC. 

Among the attributes that have set the BMW X5 apart in the automotive landscape has been its unique blend of sporty, elegant exterior design and luxurious, flexible interior ambiance. Those attributes have been enhanced with an entirely new design, inside and out.  For customers looking to add an additional element of individuality to their new X5, the Luxury Line, xLine or M Sport will be available, as will two Interior Design Packages – Ivory White and Mocha.

Class-leading driving dynamics have been a hallmark for the BMW Sports Activity Vehicle from the very beginning and the new X5 is no different. BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive can be complemented by Dynamic Performance Control as part of the optional Dynamic Handling Package. The Dynamic Handling Package also includes Active Roll Stabilization providing an additional edge to the X5’s sporty handling attributes as well as Dynamic Damper Control and a rear-axle air suspension. Adaptive M suspension, available as part of M Sport, also includes Dynamic Damper Control and rear air suspension with more sports-oriented suspension tuning.

Exterior design: dynamic flair that unmistakably marks it as nothing but a ?BMW X5.

Signature BMW design features combine with undeniable presence and versatility to lend BMW X models their distinctive appearance. This design language has been given a contemporary and eye-catching update for the new BMW X5. The proportions of the 3rd-generation Sports Activity Vehicle are once again defined by a short front overhang, long wheelbase, upright A-pillars and the short distance between the front axle and the leading edge of the front door. The three dimensional design of the BMW kidney grille, set within the triangle of the dual round headlights and front foglamps, and the bumper’s X-shaped contour lines also identify it as a member of the BMW X model family.

The new BMW X5 has a broad-set kidney grille that extends all the way to the headlight clusters, which extend from the kidney grille all the way into the front fenders. The hallmark four round headlights are trimmed by LED accent rings. To provide a new look, the light rings are flattened along the bottom edge and overlapped at their top edge. Sweeping chrome inserts and the prominently three-dimensional design of the lights underline the car’s sophisticated character. LED front foglamps are standard. The optional Adaptive LED Headlights are identified by the horizontal light sources in the center of the light rings. All X5 models are equipped with standard Adaptive Xenon headlights.

The front apron, with side air intakes positioned far to its outer edges, accentuates the wide track and planted stance of the new BMW X5. The striking underbody protection elements also provide a nod to its robust character. Drag-reducing Air Curtains make their debut on a BMW X model. These vertical apertures guide the incoming air around the wheel arches, where it creates a curtain of air over the wheels before making a controlled escape through the Air Breathers in the side of the front fenders.

The design of the flanks reflects the BMW X5’s power and sporting ability. Precisely drawn lines rising up towards the rear build a wedge shape draw attention to the dynamic character of the X5 and break up the taut surfaces around the front fenders, doors and rear wheel arches. The resulting light and shadow effect brings out the athleticism and agility of the Sports Activity Vehicle.

The upright nose of the X5, with its forward-thrusting BMW kidney grille, cuts an arresting figure from the side. The familiar BMW swage line rises steadily from the headlight units, through the door pulls and into the tail lights. It combines with the character line extending from the upper edge of the Air Breathers and another, more obvious crease above the side skirts to stretch the figure-hugging surfaces of the car’s flanks powerfully to the rear.

The subdivision between the muscular body and the passenger compartment, whose large windows lend it a light and spacious feel, is clearly visible from the rear as well as from the side. Horizontal lines on the two-section tailgate and around the rear apron emphasize the width and robust stance of the new BMW X5. The thin, three-dimensional LED light strips of the two-section, L-shaped rear lights create a striking night-time look. Plus, the new BMW X5 is the brand’s first model to feature Aero Blades. These black air-channelling elements are contiguous with the roof spoiler and help it to optimize the car’s aerodynamic properties.

The versatility of the new BMW X5 can be seen in the standard black roof rails while the exterior paintwork can be ordered in a choice of 11 colors, among them the new Sparkling Brown Metallic as well as Mineral White Metallic.

 

Interior design: high-quality materials, luxurious ambience, cutting-edge functionality.

The interior of the new BMW X5 is both elegant and spacious. The horizontal structure of the layered surfaces underlines the broad sweep of the instrument panel and reflects the impressive amount of space available on board. The three-dimensional design of the surfaces also generates vibrant contrasts.

The interior materials selected for the new BMW X5 also play a role in shaping the exclusive onboard ambience. The trim strip and accent strip extend into the front door panels and are picked up again in the rear door panels. Plus, the standard Poplar Wood Trim now sits atop a high-gloss black surface, which is bordered on its lower edge by an accent strip in Pearl Gloss Chrome.

For the US market, the standard BMW Navigation system, with touchpad, includes a freestanding 10.2-inch Control Display Monitor. The displays for the climate control and ventilation systems feature black panel technology.

The Dakota leather seat surfaces are standard on the X5 xDrive50i and can be specified as an option on six-cylinder models.  Exclusive Nappa leather with extended features can be specified as part of the Interior Design Packages. Customers can choose from up to eight upholstery colors.

Personalization: Luxury Line and xLine for the exterior.

Two new Lines for the exterior and interior of the new BMW X5 can be ordered as an alternative to the standard specification, enabling a new level of personalization. Each Line represents a harmonious blend of design, colors and materials. M Sport is also an alternative for those that wish to accentuate the sporting character of the new X5. The Lines also encompass the new-look remote control key with redesigned operating buttons.

xLine: presence and robustness

With stylistic underbody protection elements in brushed stainless steel, newly designed air intake bars in matt silver and a rear trim strip which, like the kidney grille bars, comes in matt silver, the xLine adds distinctive touches to the exterior and emphasizes the SAV character of the new BMW X5. This xLine also includes exterior mirror bases and B-pillar and C-pillar trim in high-gloss black, as well as Satin aluminum line exterior trim for the side windows. Roof rails are available in a choice of Satin Aluminum or high-gloss finish. Also included are a sport steering wheel, aluminum running boards and 19-inch Orbit Grey wheels – 20-inch Y-spoke wheels with mixed-sized performance tires are available as an upgrade.

Luxury Line: modern and distinctive.

The Luxury line for the exterior includes stylistic underbody protection elements and wheel arch surrounds painted in the respective body color, black kidney grille bars with high-gloss chrome fronts, T-shaped bars for the outer air intakes and louvers for the lower aperture, plus a chrome trim strip for the rear apron and Chrome Line Exterior adornments for the side windows. The exterior mirror bases, B-pillars and C-pillars all feature high-gloss black trim. Roof rails are available in a choice of Satin Aluminum or high-gloss finish. Also included are a sport steering wheel and 19-inch V-spoke wheels – 20-inch Y-spoke wheels with mixed-sized performance tires are available as an upgrade.

M Sport: provides the right look and feel for the performance-oriented driver.

M Sport offers the performance-oriented driver a particularly dynamic look and feel for the new BMW X5. Exterior touches include an M-aerodynamic body kit, Shadowline trim, high-gloss roof rails and 19-inch M-Double Spoke light alloy wheels. 20-inch M-Double Spoke wheels with mixed-sized performance runflat tires are available as an upgrade. The interior includes an 8-speed sport automatic transmission with shift-paddles, M-sport steering wheel, anthracite headliner, M foot rest and door sills, Aluminum Hexagonal trim and sport seats. Multi-contour seats can be specified as an alternative. An M Adaptive Suspension may also be specified as an upgrade.

Two Interior Design Packages offer additional opportunities for personalization

In addition to the Lines, two Interior Design Packages – Ivory White and Mocha – offer additional possibilities for personalizing the new BMW X5.

The Ivory White Interior Design Package features Ivory White Nappa Leather upholstery. The dashboard is covered in Atlas Grey leather with contrast stitching for both the seats and dashboard. It includes Fineline Oak Wood trim, although other trims may be specified as an alternative.

The Mocha Interior Design Package features Mocha Nappa Leather upholstery. The dashboard in this case is cover in Black Nappa leather with contrast stitching for both the seats and dashboard. The featured trim is Fineline Pure Wood Trim, although other trims may be specified as an alternative.

Flexible interior, greater versatility with seating for up to seven.

With its luxurious ambience and enhanced ride comfort, spaciousness and seating comfort, the new BMW X5 advances the standard set by its predecessor. The newly designed seats for the driver and front passenger ensure a high level of long-distance comfort and impressive lateral support. Multi-contour seats, which are standard on the X5 xDrive50i, and sports seats are available as an option on six-cylinder models.

Comfort seats are now available for rear passengers as is seat heating. The rear comfort seats come with bespoke upholstery, backrest adjustment through 10 degrees and 3.1 inches (80 mm) of fore/aft adjustment. The rear comfort seats can be specified either as an individual option or together with the optional third row of seats. The two additional seats are easy to access thanks to an Easy Entry function and a grip plate by the C-pillar. They can be lowered separately into the load compartment floor and come with inertia-reel seat belts.

The folding backrest of the second-row seat can now be split 40 : 20 : 40, which allows load capacity to be increased in stages from 23 cu.ft. – 66 cu.ft. (650 – 1,870 litres), based on EU measurements. That represents up to seven percent more volume than its predecessor. Additional storage compartments and door pockets which can accommodate 1.5-liter bottles up front and one-liter bottles in the rear contribute to the X5’s functionality both in day-to-day use and on longer journeys.

The new BMW X5 again comes with a split two-section tailgate. The lower element can be folded down horizontally to form a single level with the load surface. Power tailgate operation for the upper section is a standard feature. And now, for the first time, the tailgate can be closed as well as opened using the remote control and, at the touch of a button, from the driver’s seat.

Multi-award winning 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six powers ?new X5 sDrive35i and X5 xDrive35i The new X5 sDrive35i and X5 xDrive35i will be powered by BMW’s 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-6 engine (internally known as N55). It develops maximum output of 300 hp at 5,800 rpm, with peak torque of 300 lb-ft available all the way from 1,200–5,000 rpm. The N55 engine was the first BMW inline-6 to combine turbocharging, High Precision direct fuel injection, and Valvetronic variable intake technology. It features a single, mid-sized turbocharger with a “twin-scroll” housing to boost performance and minimize response lag.  Using Valvetronic for the first time on a turbocharged inline-6 allows the engine to “inhale” air more efficiently for combustion with virtually no delay and with reduced pumping losses. The new X5 xDrive35i will accelerate from 0 – 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Thanks to a lower curb weight and other EfficientDynamics measures it is also expected to be more efficient (EPA mileage estimates will be available closer to launch).

BMW X5 xDrive 50i features the latest TwinPower Turbo V8 The 4.4-liter V-8 engine (N63) that powers the current X5 xDrive50i receives an upgrade for its successor. The unique “reverse-flow” engine, whose two turbochargers are positioned in the V-area between the cylinder banks is well known for producing an instantaneous and sustained wave of power, making it a delight for the enthusiast driver. This new version of the engine adds BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve timing to the list of specifications. As a result, the new version of the engine (N63TÜ) develops a maximum 445 hp between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm (a 45 hp increase), and makes peak torque of 480 lb-ft between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm (a 30 lb-ft increase). This newest TwinPower Turbo V8 powers the new ?X5 xDrive50i from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, 0.4 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Thanks to the addition of Valvetronic, lower curb weight and other EfficientDynamics measures, the new X5 xDrive50i will also see significant efficiency gains (EPA mileage estimates will be available closer to launch).

New X5 xDrive35d benefits from the latest BMW Advanced Diesel technology The new BMW X5 xDrive35d features an all new inline six-cylinder diesel engine offering an even better balance between performance and fuel consumption than the outgoing diesel. The 3.0-liter engine, whose BMW TwinPower Turbo technology comprises VNT turbocharging and common rail direct injection, now develops maximum power of 255 hp and maximum torque of 413 lb-ft which is delivered between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm. In spite of the slight reduction in output from its predecessor, the new BMW X5 xDrive35d has a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 6.9 seconds (preliminary), making it just as quick or quicker. With the latest technology and the addition of an 8-speed automatic transmission, the new model is expected to post significant improvements in efficiency (EPA mileage estimates will be available closer to launch). The new X5 xDrive35d uses the latest in emission reduction technology. Lower nitrogen oxide limits are met using a close-coupled NOX adsorber catalyst and an SCR catalyst with urea (AdBlue) injection.

BMW EfficientDynamics: eight-speed automatic and ECO PRO mode with new functions.

All models in the new BMW X5 lineup feature an eight-speed automatic transmission, whose high internal efficiency, precision and short shift times help to improve both efficiency and responsiveness. The optional  eight-speed sport automatic transmission, offers a new “launch control” function, a high-precision traction control system which allows engine power to be translated as efficiently as possible into road speed when accelerating from a standstill.

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 for extra-efficient energy management. In ECO PRO mode, a coasting function periodically decouples the engine from the rest of the powertrain whenever the driver eases off the accelerator at speeds between 30 – 100 mph without then applying the brakes. This allows the new BMW X5 to coast without engine braking, for maximized fuel efficiency. In conjunction with the standard Navigation system, highly fuel-efficient ECO PRO navigation routes can be selected. When the navigation system is activated, the Proactive Driving Assistant function also tells the driver exactly when to ease off the accelerator when approaching corners or a speed-restricted section of road, in order to save fuel.

Along with the additional ECO PRO mode functions, the new BMW X5 also comes with many other BMW EfficientDynamics features. These include Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start/Stop, on-demand operation of ancillary units, Electric Power Steering, and a variety of weight- and drag-reducing features. Along with other measures, use of ultra-high-tensile steels in the body structure, thermoplastics in the front fenders, aluminum in the hood and magnesium in the instrument panel support all help to reduce curb weight. Intelligent lightweight design also means that the increase in standard equipment compared with the previous model does not translate to increased vehicle weight. The curb weights for the new X5 xDrive35i and X5 xDrive50i are reduced by approximately 170 and 230 lbs respectively.

The BMW X5 also offers best-in-class aerodynamic design. Air Curtains, the Air Breather system, vertical aero blades at the rear window, air deflectors on the front wheel arches and a range of other detail improvements reduce the drag coefficient (Cd).

Chassis: adjustable for driving condition and one’s mood.

Sports Activity Vehicles are a vehicle segment created by BMW. Their combination of confident, sure-footed all-road traction and sporty but comfortable driving dynamics has made them a global success. The new BMW X5 once again raised the bar, incorporating refinements to the all-wheel-drive system and chassis technology.

Using the standard Driving Dynamics Control switch on the center console, the drive settings can be matched to the requirements of the moment or to different driving situations. The COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and ECO PRO modes, which can be selected at the press of a button, allow the driver to customize the accelerator response characteristics, the power steering characteristics, the characteristics of the automatic transmission and also Dynamic Damper Control, if equipped. On vehicles with the Dynamic Handling Package, the characteristics of the active roll stabilisation system and the Dynamic Performance Control can also be tailored.

The suspension packages available for the new BMW X5 cater to individual requirements in terms of comfortable or sporty driving styles. With the Dynamic Damper Control + automatic rear self-leveling suspension option, electronic control logic adapts the damping characteristics to changing road conditions and driving situations. Two different damping modes can be selected using the Driving Dynamics Control switch. The same functionality is also provided by the Adaptive M suspension, available as part of M Sport. In this version, SPORT or SPORT+ modes offer extra-firm suspension and damping characteristics.

Finally, the Dynamic Handling Package maximizes both comfort and dynamics. This option combines the components of Dynamic Damper Control, automatic rear self-leveling suspension, Dynamic Performance Control, and Active Roll Stabilization.

The new BMW X5 features standard Electric Power Steering. Active Steering is available as an option. In addition to varying the power assist, Active Steering also adjusts the steering input required to turn the wheels in relation to vehicle speed. This reduces the steering effort required when parking and provides precise response and feedback at high speed. The electromechanical parking brake with Auto Hold function is once again standard on the new BMW X5. The powerful braking system offers stable and consistent braking performance even under heavy braking, assisted by Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). Among other functions, the DSC system includes the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and the Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X). Other functions include Brake Assist, the Brake Standby feature, Start-Off Assistant, Fade Compensation, the Brake Drying function, trailer

See BMW 2014 X5 on page 2

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