BMW X5 2014

BMW’s decision to the enter the luxury sports utility segment in 1999 was probably influenced by many factors including the competition edging ahead of it in exploring the emerging trend back then. Having owned Land Rover, BMW drew inspiration and gained technological knowledge from the British SUV icon’s Range Rover brand vehicles.

The first SUV that BMW launched was the X5 (model year 2000) and it was clear that its design inspiration was not just based on the need for pointing to its lineage. The X5 was based on the 5 Series platform, but while the face of the new Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV – as BMW called it) was inspired by the sedan, it was also inspired, in part, by the Range Rover.

Set to the task of creating a SAV with strong family ties to the existing sedan line-up, BMW designers didn’t really draw from Range Rover’s coach style overall construction, but the first X5 was really upright and boxy. While the Range Rover has exploited the boxy, ‘three-parallel lines’ look of its vehicles and its buyers have preferred that design, for BMW, by the time the second generation X5 arrived in 2006, a lot of buyers thought it was already time to move on to a more shapely crossover style. That was a move that German competitor Audi made, exploiting the potential for crossovers in the biggest market for SUVs - the US.

The X5 was one of the first German SUVs to be built on a monocoque body and so the need for its design to be more of a crossover was there even under the skin. The X5 has had its fans, but it was losing its edge and a new, third generation of this SAV has come in just in time.

Design The third-gen X5 is still fairly upright and still a bit ungainly, though its exterior design has a certain solidity to it (like it always has). I step back; cover the roof and the windows with my hand and the bottom half looks very much like a mix of design elements from the 5 Series and the 3 Series. Of course, with the 19 or 20-inch alloys and the squared-off wheel arches, the X5’s profile is clearly SUV-ish and still much less crossover at the front.

The front of the X5 has the standard BMW SUV design format, but the headlamps and the kidney grille design now point to both the 5 Series and the 3 Series. The front fender continues to house a split air-dam, only marginally different from the outgoing model. The bonnet slab looks larger, curls down onto the headlamps and has probably been designed with the need to assist and meet the new pedestrian safety norms in place in Europe.

There are the additions of air-breathers on either side of the front side panels and the characteristic BMW SAV ‘swage’ line running along the side of the new X5 has become sharper and more prominent. A lot of focus has also gone into making the new X5 more aerodynamic compared to the outgoing model.

The rear of the new 2014 X5 has much more novelty and newness to it and in fact, if not for the changes there it might have seemed more like a MMU (minor model upgrade). The sloping down rear section of the roof and the tight tail-gate gives the X5’s rear a bit of crossover looks. The split tail-gate is an addition and the crease lines and the twin tail-pipes integrated into the rear fender are some of the features that support the aggressive looks of the new X5.

Interiors The new X5 has grown in proportions both in length and width. But the wheelbase remains the same as in the outgoing model. The increased exterior dimensions has also lead to an increase in the amount of room available inside the X5, apparently including the possibility of offering a twin seat set as an optional third row of seating in some markets. Details are still awaited about whether the option will be made available for Indian buyers.

But the bigger change inside the new X5 is in the steep improvement in quality and premiumness of the cabin. The layout of the cabin and the design of the dashboard etc are very typically BMW like, but compared to the outgoing model, the quality of the individual elements and the material quality has seen a marked improvement. There are multiple layers of double stitched leather, lacquered wood trim, brushed aluminium elements and soft-touch plastic. Gone are the acres of rubberised, soft-touch plastic and instead there are two shades of leather and two shades of wood trim. It might seem a bit much from my description, but the layers and colours sit well inside the new X5’s cabin.

I had travelled to the stunningly beautiful Canadian city of Vancouver to test drive the new X5, but the overcast morning was threatening to dampen the drive. Thankfully the plush and bright interiors of the X5 pepped me up until the sun came out just as I was about to enter the famous Whistler National Park. The new Bang & Olufsen music system and the wide comfy leather seats are the other highlights in the new X5’s cabin.

Performance & Handling The new X5’s improved aerodynamics has been complemented by a number of weight reduction measures. Replacing a few metal panels with plastic and a further choice of aluminium replacing other material for key components, has resulted in significant weight savings, The changes have made the new X5 more agile and has also apparently delivered a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.

The 2014 X5 is being offered worldwide with a number of engine options. There were three initially when the new model was first announced and unveiled. This month a further range of engines are due to join the line-up. The top of the range, when I test drove the new X5 in Vancouver was the new-gen V8 petrol engine in the xDrive50i which at 450 hp was developing 10 per cent more power combined with a 16 per cent reduction in average fuel consumption compared to the predecessor model. Maximum torque of this 4.4-litre engine is 650 Nm.

I got to test drive the xDrive30d, which sports the 3-litre, straight six diesel engine which develops a peak power of 258 hp and 560 Nm of torque. The engine stays as refined as it was before, but the improvements to noise reduction measures has made the cabin a lot quieter. The twin turbo engine has also been tweaked to increase fuel efficiency by 16 per cent.

The same engine gets three-stage turbo-charging and the trio work together to boost power to 381 hp in the M Performance version X5 M50d. The new variants that will join the line up this month are the xDrive 35i, the xDrive 40d, the xDrive 25d and the sDrive 25d. All the engines are fitted with the sharp and responsive 8-speed automatic transmission. There are other BMW EfficientDynamics Technologies at work including Auto Start/Stop and the ECO PRO Mode that features a coasting function and proactive driving assistant for optimising fuel efficiency.

I get to stretch out the new X5’s legs on the highway leading out to Whistler from Vancouver. As has been the case even with the previous generations, the new X5 has great on-road dynamics. It is completely at home on tarmac. Yes, there could be a bit more feedback from the electric power steering at speeds, but it is still precise. BMW had organised a bit of off-roading at Whistler’s Winter Olympics venue. But these weren’t very challenging sections. The new X5 is however, well-equipped to handle a fair bit of tackling the great outdoors, though it won’t be capable on the same scale as that of a Land Rover or Range Rover.

BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system is standard, now there is also a display showing the status. There is also the driving experience control switch with comfort, dynamic and professional adaptive suspension packages available. An adaptive M suspension package can also be specified.

The handling of the new X5 has improved over the predecessor’s. There is not too much of the roll and bounce associated with the stiffer suspension set-up of the outgoing model. More customers in Asia and for that matter increasingly even in the US, where many city roads are in a state of disrepair will appreciate the new suspension setting.

Bottomline The new X5 is an upgrade worth considering. It is clearly plusher and loaded with features inside the cabin making it very inviting to stay in. A whole rash of hi-tech features including Head-Up display, Night Vision, collision warning etc., give its safety quotient a big boost. There are also a number of individualisation options available to choose from.

If you are in the market for a luxury SUV, the new X5 should be in that short list, especially if you are looking for function over form. The new X5 should be here early next year.

muralidhar.s@thehindu.co.in

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