The new 3rd generation of the BMW X5 will come with a 2.0 Litre four-cylinder diesel engine in some markets and a rear wheel drive that will push this SUV towards more fuel efficiency. The new BMW X5 will be making its official debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
The decision to expand the engine choices has been copied from the Mercedes, which did the same for its M Class. However, the decision to offer a rear wheel drive is one of the first in the highly competitive luxury SUV segment.
The new vehicle internally code named as F 15, has been designed in an unique approach that sustains its upright profile and traditional features like its two piece tail-gate. The distinguishing changes are the front kidney grille, which is now much broader and LED imblued headlamp that sits just beside the chrome that surrounds the grille.
Overall the SUV hires more structured look than its predecessor, greater contouring at the bonnet, more eminent shoulder line and added feature line along the lower side of doors. The tall glasshouse still remains the key design element that starts from original E53 model that was launched back in 1999.
The vehicle is about 4886mm in length, about 1938mm wide and 1762 mm in height. It comes with the 2933mm wheelbase same as the second generation X5 but the tracks are now 4mm shorter both at front and rear end.
The new BMW has received more luxurious interior with the styling that follows the long line of recent BMW. Buyers have the option of two rear seat configurations , a fixed 40/20/40 split fixed seats and a newly developed 70/30 split that can adjust longitudinally to free up the leg space for the third row. Boot capacity has been raised by 30 litre and now stands at 650 litres.
BMW X5 is based on the slightly modified version of the monocoque steel platform. Use of light weight techniques has led to the reduction of ample amount of weight. The chassis is quite similar to the one that was used by the previous model with the double wishbone in the front and multi-link at the rear.
In the global line-up it will be offering a turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 petrol unit that churns out 444 bhp in xDrive50i and a turbocharged 3.0 litre in six cylinder common rail diesel with 245 bhp xDrive30d. The heavily loaded turbocharged 3.0 litre inline six cylinder common rail diesel delivers 376 bhp in the performance xDrive M50d, which claims to hit 100 kmph in just 5.3 seconds.
Three more versions will be added to the line-up after the launch, including the first four cylinder version in X5, the turbocharged 2.0 litre diesel delivering 215 bhp. This trim will be available both in 4 wheel drive xDrive25d and for the first time with a rear wheel drive sDrive25d.
Another version also planned is turbocharged 3.0 litre inline six cylinder that turns out 309 bhp in xDrive40d and another 302 bhp version with 3.0 litre inline six cylinder petrol engine xDrive35i.
BMW has yet not announced the successor of X5 but it is sure to be added to the 2014 lineup and will be following the X6 M. both will be getting the tweaked version of twin turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 that will be delivering 560 bhp. This engine is also used in m5 and M6.
The car will be produced at BMW’s plant in Spartanburg in South Carolina.
