BMW India are on a roll with the launch of new models and also with updating their existing range of vehicles. They have received tremendous success with their BMW 3,5 and 7 series. Adding to the success quotient is the BMW X5, X6 and the 7 series. The X5 range has received the botox treatment this time around and it is all set to storm the Indian markets with its quirky looks, fuel efficiency and performance.
BMW have launched the refreshed X5 and it is available in India in 2 variants. One is the X5 xDrive30d and the other is the X5 xDrive50i. The BMW X5 xDrive30d has a 3.0-litre, straight six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that pumps out 245PS and a gut wrenching torque of 540 Nm. It dashes from 0-100 in 7.5 seconds. The second variant, the BMW X5 xDrive50i has a twin turbo V8 petrol belting out 407PS and a shattering 600Nm of torque. This has a sports car rivaling times of 5.4 seconds for the dash from 0-100 kmph. Both the cars feature BMW Efficient Dynamics package which is similar to Mercedes Benz Blue EFFICIENCY. The grille of the car is now more deeply set and the twin kidney grilles seem like nostrils of a giant hippo.
The fog lamps are set rather high for a premium SUV. The head lamps also have a quirky design theme. The bonnet is full of creases much unlike the earlier BMW X5s. The air dams have a slightly reworked design theme to them and there are separate slots as well, which ideally should have been for the fog lamps, but in this case are empty. The outside rear view mirrors are not huge but they are placed at quite a distance from the edge of the car and hence provide for good rear view visibility. They are mounted on black stalks but the mirrors casings are in body color.
The interiors have been refreshed as well. They seem more like from the 7 series.Two interior trims are possible one is the cinnamon and the other oyster. We would prefer the cinnamon one as it looks good and goes with the sporty theme of the SUV. It is said that the optional as well as innovative Heads-Up Display shows all the important data like speed of the car, current fuel efficiency in the driver’s field of vision. The height and brightness of the display can be individually adjusted, so that the driver isn’t distracted and can pilot the car around with ease.
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BMW India, unfortunately still persists with the run flats for the BMW X5. Elsewhere in Europe, the car is offered in standard tubeless tyre options. BMW India could do well to offer the car in this tyre option considering the Indian road conditions. The fuel efficiency though not paramount to the buyers of this vehicle is pegged at an overall of 12.15 kmpl for the diesel and 8.1 kmpl for the petrol motor. This is sufficient considering the performance on tap. The new BMW X5 xDrive in India carries on the traditional BMW values like perfect handling, rush of power and much more. The transmission is the 8 speed automatic with manual override. It is said to be one of the smoothest automatic transmissions in India. The BMW X5 in both the trims offers plenty of equipment like the armrests, front and rear, CD changer for 6 discs, automatic air conditioning with 4 zone control, cruise control with brake function, HiFi loudspeaker system with 12 loudspeakers, Park Distance Control (PDC), Xenon lights with headlight washers front and rear, on board 6.5 inch monitor plus 3r generation IDRIVE controller on center console and X Drive all wheel drive comprise some of the extensive features list for the BMW X5 with more goodies in the options bin. Safety is also taken care of in good measure with 5 airbags having seat occupant detector facility, Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), advanced ABS system, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake control (DBC),Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Hill Descent Control (HDC), front and rear bumpers with interchangeable crumple zones which absorb impacts at speeds upto 15 kmph and Integrated side impact protection as some of the standard safety features.The new BMW X5 is been offered in as many as 8 exterior color options like alpine white, platinum grey, titanum silver, platinum bronze, deep sea blue, black sapphire, sparkling bronze and space grey.
The BMW X5 xDrive 30d is priced at Rs 52.99 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi whereas the BMW X5 xDrive 50i retails for Rs 69.5 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi.
Technical specifications of the BMW X5 xDrive30d
Ex-showroom Price (Delhi Rs.): 52,99,000
Transmission Type: 8 speed Automatic with manual override
Engine Description: 3.0L,2993cc, 245 bhp, 540 Nm, BMW six-cylinder in-line diesel engine
Engine Displacement(cc): 2995
Maximum Power: 245 bhp at 4000rpm
Maximum Torque: 540 Nm at 1750 – 3000 rpm
Mileage-City(kmpl): 10.4
Mileage-Highway(kmpl): 13.9
Fuel Type: Diesel
Fuel Tank Capacity(litres): 85
Seating Capacity: 5
Technical specifications of the BMW X5 xDrive50i
Ex-showroom Price (Delhi Rs.): 69,50,000
Transmission Type: 8 speed Automatic with manual override
Engine Description: 4.4L, 4395cc 407bhp, 600 Nm, BMW Twin Power V8 Petrol Engine
Engine Displacement(cc): 4395
Maximum Power: 407 bhp at 5500-6400 rpm
Maximum Torque: 600 Nm at 1750-4500 rpm
Mileage-City(kmpl)/: 5.9
Mileage-Highway(kmpl): 10.3
Fuel Type: Petrol
Fuel Tank Capacity(litres): 86
Seating Capacity: 5
