BMW Unveils All-new X5 And It’s Bigger Than Ever!

BMW has pulled the wraps off the latest generation of its oldest SUV (sorry, SAV), the X5. The fourth-gen X5 doesn’t look radically different from the current car but rather an evolution of it. The stance is more muscular than before with a contoured bonnet, while the signature kidney grille is even more prominent than before. The new X5 is significantly larger than before - it now measures 4299mm in length, which is up by 36mm. It’s also 66mm wider and 19mm taller than before. The wheelbase, too, has been increased by 42mm to 2965mm.

It’s larger, so what? 

Not just larger, the new X5, according to BMW, has some serious off-road credentials as well. But we’ll get to those in a bit. The SUV features a split tailgate and, for the first time, will be available with optional 22-inch wheels. The car also features electronically controlled dampers as standard with the vehicle height being adjustable by up to 80mm. 

Interesting, what about the tech?

That is the main USP of the car. The BMW X5 now features laser lamps along with LEDs which have a beam range of 500 metres when compared to the 300-metre range of all-LED headlamps. It also features a host of driver assist systems as well. However, most of them are optional, including Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Steering Assist, Lane Control Assist, Auto Speed Limiter and even an automated parking assist without driver involvement. And for the first time ever, it even gets Emergency Stop Assist that not only brakes in emergency situations but also steers the car to the side of the road. 

On the inside, BMW has done away with the analogue instrument cluster. Instead, it now gets two massive screens akin to the ones employed by Mercedes-Benz. BMW calls it the Live Cockpit Professional display and it will be standard across all variants of the X5. The system employs two 12.3-inch screens - one behind the steering wheel that will serve as the instrument cluster and another one that sits on the dashboard and acts as the display for the iDrive system, which now gets touch control as well. Apart from that, you get a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system and optional multi-function seats with massage function and ventilated front seats as well.

What about the specs?

BMW has introduced the X5 with four engine options including a new 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 making 462PS of max power and 650Nm of peak torque that will power the xDrive50i variant. Other engines include a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol motor producing 340PS and 450Nm and a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel in two states of tune. The xDrive30d makes 265PS of max power and 620Nm of peak torque, while the xDrive50d, available with the M package only, makes 400PS of max power and 760Nm of peak torque. All four engines are mated to a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission and even have similar gearing as well.

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As for the suspension, the X5 features a double wishbone axle up front and a 5-link axle at the rear. As we said before, the electronically controlled dampers are offered as standard. The integral active steering, however, is optional. 

You had mentioned the off-road package...

Yes, of course. The new X5 is the first BMW SUV to come with an off-road package. It includes drive modes tailor-made for different kinds of terrain like sand, rock, gravel and snow (sound familiar?). The off-road package also includes air-suspension for both front and rear axles for increased comfort and ground clearance. It also gets a gearbox tuned for off-road driving and even comes with an electronically-controlled rear diff-lock for when the going gets really treacherous.

What all will come to India?

Honestly, we don’t expect a lot of these features to make it to India. The V8 is completely out of the question and some driver assistance systems are likely to be skipped as well. Plus, we will most likely get the 3.0-litre diesel setup in the xDrive30d guise. However, with BSVI emission norms coming in soon, we hope BMW offers the behemoth with petrol power as well. The laser lamps are likely to make the cut along with the Emergency Stop Assist and the off-road package should be on offer as well. Expect it to feature the three-row seating as well. As for the wheel sizes, expect BMW to offer 18- to 20-inch wheels only. The fourth-gen X5 is likely to be launched in India sometime in early 2019. It is likely to be priced around Rs 78 lakh to Rs 85 lakh (ex-showroom). The X5 will compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLE and Audi Q7.