New BMW X5

Perfect for Extreme Sightseeing: the new BMW X5 combines driving dynamics, exclusiveness and versatility, taking driving pleasure to a new level. The V8 petrol engine as well as the six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines all provide outstanding performance. Harmonising perfectly with the SAV's six-speed transmission and the all-wheel drive system xDrive, these engines let their dynamics speak for themselves.

The second-generation of BMW's X5 off-roader has been unveiled, revealing a car that looks like a mild evolution of the original from a styling perspective.

Despite controversial and often challenging designs in recent times, the new X5 treads a safe path with a slightly smoother, more flowing appearance of the sporty light-duty four-wheel-drive that reset the benchmark luxury off-roaders.

But closer inspection of the all-new X5 - which is due in Australian dealerships in April 2007 - reveals a bigger body capable of seating seven.

The new X5 is 187mm longer and 61mm wider than the model it replaces.

And, as petrol prices continue to surge, BMW's latest off-roader could even be slightly heavier, although BMW is being coy about the overall mass, simply stating the new X5's weight will be "almost unchanged" compared with the old model (which weighed as much as 2.2 tonnes) thanks to the increased use of lightweight materials.

The overall design is dominated by the BMW gills up front, while more pronounced creases down each side and on the bonnet create a more modern appearance.

More shapely headlights are also part of the update, although the overall proportions and design flavour of the original X5 is retained.

The flagship of the new X5 line-up for now will be the 4.8i, with 261kW and 475Nm from its 4.8-litre V8. It can reach 100km/h in a sprightly 6.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 240km/h.

Despite the bigger body and output of the engine, BMW is also claiming fuel economy has been reduced by five per cent.

Volume-selling models will include a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel six-cylinder (170kW, 520Nm) and a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine (200kW, 315Nm). Each has more power and better fuel economy than the models they replace.

However, BMW claims it's a new transmission that shifts with "unparalleled precision and efficiency".

The gear selector is also new, bringing with it more than a hint of computer game joystick to its design.

Boasting an electronic (rather than mechanical) link to the gearbox, the new selector returns to the same central location after use and features a park brake button on the to

At first sight the second generation X5 looks like it carries on with the main characteristics from its predecessor. The new model has been developed under the code-name E70.

However, looking closer, the main difference is that the newcomer is about 16 cm longer and 6 cm wider than the current model. It is thus providing enough room for a third row of seats. Like with all the other modern luxury off roaders, also the new X5 can seat up to seven passengers, which quite obviously has become a must. Also the dashboard of BMW’s biggest off roader has been carefully revised to incorporate all new technical gadgets like a radar governed cruise control and BMW’s first night vision. An evolution of BMW’s x-Drive AWD system is in place, plus advanced wheel-by-wheel traction control.

Power is expected to come from two revamped Diesel engines, a 3,0 litre six cylinder / 231 HP and a 4,5 litre V8 / 330 HP. And from fuel engines starting with a 3,0 litre six cylinder / 258 HP up to a new V8 5,0 litre / 367 HP.

The new X5’s release is scheduled for October 2006, an M-version could be in the pipeline for later on.

MW has released the official images and information about the new X5 model range. The previous model, launched in 1999, was sold in more than 800,000 units worldwide.

The new BMW X5 replaces a very successful model: the previous X5 was sold in approximately 580,000 units worldwide since its launch in 1999, with over 240,000 units sold in the U.S. alone.

The technical features include eight and six-cylinder engines, new suspensions, enhanced BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, as well as a weight-optimized bodyshell with increased torsional stiffness.

Electronic controls include Active Steering and AdaptiveDrive (a combination of Active Roll Stabilization and Electronic Damping Control).

The new X5 will be available in the U.S. with either a 4.8-liter V8 capable of 350 horsepower or a 3.0-liter inline-six with 260 horsepower.

From the official Press Release:

Design

According to BMW, "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 – length up 7.4 inches, width by 2.4."

"This special style is ensured by the short body overhangs front and rear, as well as the larger wheels. The small distance between the front axle and 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."

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 slightly to the rear. This is where the vehicle’s convex and concave surfaces come together. The contour line starting behind the front wheel arches and encircles the entire rear section completely interrupted by the rear light clusters.

The powerfully domed contour of the engine compartment lid, the three-dimensional bars on the BMW kidney grille, and the headlight units integrated in the side panels all act together to give the front end of the new BMW X5 particularly powerful expression. The lines project a sense of urgency and motion. The contours reflect the muscular character of the X5. The dual round headlights appear to be slightly cut off at the top, giving the entire front end a clear and dynamic focus.

Powerful elegance is also the name of the game at the rear end of the new BMW X5. The high upper edge of the rear bumper accentuates the sheer width of the vehicle and, as a result, its strong and stable stance on the road. This impression is then further enhanced by the horizontal structure of the rear light clusters. Shaped in BMW’s typical L-design, they wrap far around into the rear tailgate. Four LED light rods give the new BMW X5 a powerful and striking appearance from behind, night or day.

The combination of convex and concave surfaces combines the flair of BMW’s SAV models with the presence of a premium vehicle. This entire configuration creates a dynamic flow of light and shade that gives the surfaces a clear structure. The muscular wheel arches enhance the X5’s presence while the clear accentuation of the horizontal wheel line expressed by the wide track again helps to give the new BMW X5 a truly individual look.

The body structure

Measuring 191.1 inches in length and 76.1 inches in width, the new BMW X5 is larger than its predecessor.

It has a drag coefficient of 0.34 (X5 3.0si): to achieve this result designers have included new features like the roof spoiler with aerodynamic edges integrated into the side for a precisely defined cut-off of air flow and the rear lights come with cut-off edges to improve the flow of air.

By suing lightweight technology, the torsional stiffness was increased approximately by 15 per cent from 23,500 to 27,000 Nm/degree.

Stiffness at the front is optimized without an increase in weight by low-lying support arms around the wheel arches which curve in towards the middle of the vehicle and provide a firm connection to the engine supports. Around the C-pillars a fully-closed torsion ring also serves to enhance body stiffness.

Body stiffness is further increased by wedges on the rear lid at medium height on the two D-pillars when closed. Contact between the wedge elements and the surrounds is ensured by way of the soft close function of the rear lid, and the improvement of stiffness at the rear is quite substantial. In fact, to achieve the same effect any other way, the engineers and body designers would have required additional metal sheet components weighing about 13 lbs.

High- and ultra-high-strength steel is used at the rear end of the new BMW X5 in order to achieve optimum stiffness and load resistance in a rear-end collision despite minimum use of material. At the front, in turn, use of a cast aluminum spring support serves to reduce weight while optimizing stiffness.

The front fenders and their modular supports are made of thermoplastic and the hood is made of aluminum. Apart from lower weight and greater freedom in design, one of these targets is also all-round protection for pedestrians.

To optimize passive safety of the passenger cell, crash forces acting on the vehicle are passed on via the engine supports and chassis along various load paths, preventing extreme loads on any individual bearing structures.

Interior Design

"Slender design and the harmonious transitions extending into the door linings give the instrument panel powerful and elegant flair all in one. Interacting with the load-bearing element of the center console and extending down to the bottom, the instrument panel appears to be hovering freely in space."

The higher, command seating position and the arrangement of the driver-oriented instrument panel convey the impression of uninhibited control. All functions and displays in the comfort zone in the middle of the dashboard are clear and easy-to-read even by the front passenger. The Control Display for the BMW iDrive operating system is housed on the instrument panel at the same level as the circular instruments putting it directly in the line of vision of both the driver and front passenger.

A new feature of the new X5 is the option of third row seats. This provides adequate space for two more passengers comfortably accommodating occupants up to approximately 5´ 6´´ in height.

These two seats come complete with three-point inertia-reel seat belts and headrests adjustable for height.

Enhanced comfort in the third row seats is ensured by separate heating and ventilation nozzles. When the seats aren’t needed, they may be stowed individually into the floor of the luggage compartment, completely out of sight. This provides a large cargo area from front to rear together with the second row seats folded down. Passengers in the second row of seats enjoy about 1.5 inches more kneeroom than in the former model.

Regardless of the number of seats being used, generous space is always offered behind the two-piece tailgate. The cargo floor is now almost 4 inches longer than before.

An additional storage compartment beneath the floor of the luggage compartment on models without a third row of seats offers an extra 3.15 cubic feet of storage space. Overall storage capacity for the new X5 is 75.2 cu. ft., an eight percent improvement over the previous model.

(Source: BMW)