The New BMW X5 – four turbos for more fun

By Chad Lückhoff

The new BMW X5 offers a number of firsts for the X Series BMW, Chad Lückhoff visited a cold and wet Eastern Cape to find out more.

The BMW X5 is the SUV (or SAV – Sports Activity Vehicle) that started it all for BMW. Back in 1999, the general public scoffed at the idea of the Bavarian firm creating a large, cumbersome, premium SUV. Those same people now sit with egg on their faces. It was the first to wear the X-badge and spawned a whole new range of BMW products – the X5 is the granddaddy, the OG.

Over 2.1-million BMW X5s have been sold worldwide since its launch, and the fourth generation continues the trend of breaking ground and setting the benchmark in the segment. Initially, I struggled to see how this X5 could be better than the generation it was replacing. Sure, it had a few X Series firsts, but it all seemed to be a variation on a theme.

It seems I was wrong. The new BMW X5 is better than its predecessor in virtually every way. It's a perfect example of “if it ain't broke, don't fix it”. And the third generation certainly wasn't broken.

For the time being, BMW is only offering two engines in the new, G05, X5 – you get to choose from either a 3.0-litre turbodiesel or... a 3.0-litre turbodiesel. That's not a mistake, so allow me to clarify.

The new BMW X5 xDrive30d.

Powered by a 195 kW and 620 Nm, 2993cc inline-six turbodiesel, the X5 xDrive30d is the one that will see the greatest volumes being sold. BMW has elected to thin down their ranges and, in turn, their engine offerings, so that there is less watering down of the market. Their extensive options list still allows you to customise and tailor your BMW X5 to your specific tastes.

Capable of sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds, the xDrive30d is no slouch, and will happily tootle around town, on the byways and highways. It should, according to BMW, return fuel consumption figures of around 6.8l/100km. Some spirited driving will see you hover around the 10l/100km mark (as we experienced).

This engine is mated to the BMW eight-speed Steptronic gearbox, and plumbs power to all four wheels through the rather impressive xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. This revised system will distribute power fore and aft as needed, and full RWD can be achieved when AWD is not required.

In a first for the range, two-axle air suspension is available, allowing for a change in ride height and self-levelling of unevenly loaded vehicles – ensuring optimum performance at all times. Combined with the Off-Road package, this suspension and drivetrain combination makes the new BMW X5 a brilliant gravel road machine.

Climbing and descending the tight and twisty gravel roads of the Montague Pass in the Eastern Cape, the X5 xDrive30d was disturbingly compliant and confidence inspiring. The suspension travel never made it feel out of its depth, and the progressive nature of the assistance systems meant that everything was kept in check, in places where others would have faltered.

The combination of a torquey engine with new double wishbones up front and a 5-link rear axle, allows the new BMW X5 to casually traverse the rough terrain without even breaking a sweat.

But if you're not one for taking your X5 on the rough stuff, there's the other option.

The new BMW X5 M50d.

This is where things get rather interesting. The new X5 M50d is the first car I've driven that has four turbochargers. That's right, four. Vier. Ezine. Tse 'nè. Quatt... nevermind. While it may seem like overkill, you need to remember that the previous generation benefitted from three turbos. Adding the fourth one allowed them to tune the smaller turbochargers for low engine speeds, and blend in the larger turbos for the higher rev ranges. This allows the X5 M50d to develop near linear power, with an almost instantaneous response from any speed, in any gear.

This engine develops an incredible 294 kW and 760 Nm, helping it rocket from a standstill to 100km/h in a mere 5.2-seconds. It will go on to a limited top speed of 250km/h. Over 450 Nm is available from as low as 1000rpm. It goes without saying, then, that the M50d is rather quick.

The M50d still uses the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox, and also drives all four wheels through the intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The M50d benefits from model-specific tuning of the suspension and dampers, to provide a more engaging driving experience. When paired with the electronically-controlled locking differential (available as part of the M Sport or Off-Road Package), the M50d offers a sports car-like turn in and excellent traction when exiting the turn under power.

It's a fantastic thing, the M50d. It doesn't feel like a diesel and it certainly goes like no other diesel I’ve ever driven, and despite the sheer size and mass of the new X5, the road holding, dynamics and overall driver enjoyment is leagues ahead of its predecessor.

The things they share.

Appearance.

While not radically different from the outgoing model, the all-new X5 certainly is all-new. The front is dominated by the rather large BMW kidney grilles with 7 Series-style breathing gills. The headlights retain the quintessential BMW quad headlight feel, but are now LED equipped, and laser lights can now be specified for the first time in an X Series vehicle.

The flanks shroud new alloy wheel designs: 18-inches in size for the xDrive30d and 21-inches for the M50d, and feature a rather attractive S-shaped crease that kicks up towards the rear quarters.

At the rear, the new, angular LED taillights rest atop a new electrically actuated split tailgate.

The new BMW X5 is available in xLine and M Sport packages, offering either a more streamlined, luxurious approach (while retaining some masculinity) or a sporty, purposeful, get-out-of-my-way visage. Sandton execs will opt for the latter, while we can expect the xLine to be a firm Blue-Light-Brigade favourite.

Interior.

This is the other area where the new BMW X5 impressed.

The fully redesigned interior boasts inch-perfect ergonomics, and exemplary fit and finish with nearly each and every surface benefitting from either high-quality trim or soft-touch leather wrap. Naturally, a variety of finishes and trimming are available, with rich leather and wood grain being the order of the day.

The new-design dashboard has been cleaned up, and the interior of the new BMW X5 mimics much of what we have seen in the current 7 Series. We also see a lot of the tech from the 7 Series in the new X5, with the latest driver assistance and safety systems available for both X5 models.

For entertainment and convenience, the latest BMW operating system (OS7.0) is installed in the new 12-inch gesture controlled touchscreen, and complemented by the 12-inch information display that replaces the traditional analogue gauges. The infotainment simplifies the iDrive experience, and can be controlled in a variety of ways: through the touchscreen, using gesture control, via the leather bound, multifunction steering wheel, or through the revised control dial in the centre island.

The centre island now creates a command station for everything from driving modes, assistance system activation and deactivation as well as audio and infotainment manus navigation. Even the start button has moved to this new centre island.

There is so much more than I could ramble on about, regarding the driver assistance systems, new camera systems and parking aides, but alas, my space is limited.

Pricing.

The new BMW X5 is a vastly improved vehicle and it shows in the pricing. While BMW has plans to introduce the xDrive40i early next year, we will have to make do with the two diesel models for now.

BMW X5 xDrive30d      xLine                            R1 186 200

BMW X5 xDrive30d      M Sport                        R1 245 100

BMW X5 xDrive30d      Off-Road                     R1 245 450

BMW X5 M50d            M Performance           R1 493 600

Prices include 15% VAT but excludes CO2 taxes.

Conclusion.

The new BMW X5 is a wonderful thing. It is seriously hard to fault. It's a wonderful drive both on and off the road, inspiring confidence, and exuding luxury in a way that actually justifies the price tag.

So I was wrong in my initial thinking that the all-new BMW X5 is just a variation on a theme. There's more than meets the eye in nearly each and every aspect. It appears the new X5 is evolution, not revolution.