Wraps off second-gen X5
Forget the spy shots and computer-generated images, here’s the real thing. It’s the seven-seater second generation of BMW’s segment-straddling X5.
And, despite BMW’s denials earlier this year that it’s already working on one, surely there’s a more potent version of this new X5 in the wings. The question is, will it be badged as an M car?
The new top-shelf 4.8i X5 effectively replaces the current 4.4i. And, of course, the 4.8i is a marginally-detuned version of the V8 in the 550i sedan … on which the awesome M5 (and, for that matter, M6) is based.
BMW Australia’s PR and Corporate Communications Manager Toni Andreevski said today that he couldn’t comment on talk about an M version of the new X5. He did, however, say that a higher-performance version of the 4.8i was possible.
Because it will offer an optional third row of seats, the all-new version of the premium SUV that won over even hard-nosed motoring journalists the world over is bigger than the original X5. It’s 187mm longer and 61mm wider, in fact.
And, although BMW hasn’t yet announced kerb weights for the three-tier new X5 range we’ll get next April – the vehicle is, after all, still in pre-production trim – it’s expected to be pretty much line-ball with the existing range.
Despite significant power and torque increases for all three engines in the new X5, BMW claims across-the-range better fuel economy.
We’ll first see the new X5 in the metal at the Melbourne motor show next March, and it’s officially on sale in April. The photographs have been released worldwide today because, Andreevski says, BMW can now get on with final real-world testing without the traditional camouflage that’s brings spy photographs flocking.
The new styling is edgier than the current model – especially on the flanks and bonnet – but not over the top “flame-surfaced”. Apparently X5 buyers are BMW’s most loyal customers, and they’ve obviously been happy with the way the current model looks. So the new model is more aggressive – especially from front-on – without alienating existing fans.
The flagship 4.8i X5 now produces 261kW and 475Nm -- almost as good as the current 4.8is X5’s 265kW and 500Nm – and BMW claims 0-100km/h in an 6.5 seconds.
If you check the engine bay photograph released today, you’ll notice that the V8 is well back towards the firewall. BMW’s Andreevski says that’s because the car-maker has set a whopping 60 percent of the engine weight behind the 4.8i X5’s front axle. The new flagship model will offer benchmark on-road performance, he says, while being “competent” off-road.
Power and torque are significantly increased for the 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine (now 200kW and 315Nm vs the current engine’s 170kW and 300Nm). And the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel six now delivers 170kW and 520Nm (vs the existing diesel X5’s 150kW and 480Nm).
Despite their bigger power and torque numbers, both petrol and diesel engines bring better combined fuel economy figures than the existing models – 10.9 L/100km for the 3.0-litre petrol X5, 8.7 L/100km for the turbo-diesel and 12.5 L/100km for the 4.8i flagship.
Expect prices to range from about $80,000 to $140,000 when the new model hits showroom floors here in April.
