The Hindu Business Line : The exciting new X5

The X5 was BMW's first and most popular sports utility vehicle or sports activity vehicle (SAV) as the company prefers to call it. BMW has sold over half a million units of the X5 during the last about six years, since launch in 1999.

Now, the next generation of the X5 is all set to be introduced globally and we got an exclusive, sneak-peek of this purposeful SAV. The pictures we present here are some of the first officially approved media photos of the new X5.

The X5 is a full-sized, luxury SUV (the Americans love it and for them SUV it will have to be) that had shot to preeminence immediately after launch thanks to its bold, strong lines and agile performance. With the BMW badge sitting proudly on its bonnet, the X5 was clearly positioned as a luxury passenger vehicle.

But owners missed a third row of seats in a vehicle in this size class, the interiors were considered too spartan for its price positioning and, of course, by now potential owners are also worried about fuel efficiency. The new version of this SAV will address all these issues.

The new BMW X5 is being introduced in Europe and the US later this year. Though BMW officials are not so sure that the smaller X3 SAV will make it to India, they confirm that the new X5 will most certainly be launched here by the last quarter of 2007.

True to its BMW badging, the new X5 will have a dynamic stance and road presence. Looking sprightly and strong, the new X5, like its predecessor, also seems to be already in motion, even when it is standing still.

Looks enhanced

The BMW X5 has always been known for its style. The new model captures and enhances the original's look of powerful elegance and presence. The proportions of the former model have been carefully developed and enhanced.

The overall look of the vehicle conveys a powerful touch of agility despite even larger dimensions — longer by 7.4 inches and wider by 2.4 inches. The short body overhangs at the front and rear, as well as the larger wheels have ensured this special style.

The small distance between the front axle and the instrument panel guides the eyes of the beholder even more directly to the front end of the new X5. The result is a perfect optical balance of the front and rear section.

With its longer wheelbase, the new BMW X5 achieves a significantly higher level of stability and presence. Boosting its profile, the stretched side section borders at the rear on the powerful D-pillar. The lines of all pillars come together to form an appropriately shortened roofline supporting the overall impression of elegance and athleticism. A classical BMW design feature from the side is the contour line at the same level as the door handles, rising gradually to the rear. This is where the vehicle's convex and concave surfaces come together.

The new BMW X5 is the only vehicle in its segment available with both Active Steering, developed by BMW, and AdaptiveDrive (a combination of Active Roll Stabilisation and Electronic Damping Control). It is also the first SAV to be fitted with runflat tires as standard equipment.

This means that the spare wheel is eliminated, making it easier to offer an additional third row of seats.

Despite its bigger proportions, the new BMW X5 will also be lighter and more rigid than its predecessor thanks to the use of lighter materials and intelligent lightweight technology.

The new X5 will also be offered with a complement of new, more powerful, yet more fuel-efficient engines that also more than meet the current emission norms. It will also feature the next generation of BMW's famous iDrive control technology.

S. Muralidhar

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