Car Evolution: New BMW X5 in Depth

Page 1: Short Version (I)
Page 2: Short Version (II)
Page 3: The Concept
Page 4: Driving Dynamics
Page 5: All Wheel Drive
Page 6: Power Units
Page 7: Automatic Transmission
Page 8: Exterior
Page 9: Interior
Page 10: Body & Safety
Page 11: The iDrive Control System
Page 12: Features and Equipment (I)
Page 13: Features and Equipment (II)
Page 14: Production
Page 15: Specifications

Short Version

Powerful face, muscular rear.

The powerfully curved contours of the engine compartment lid, the three-dimensional configuration of the rods in the BMW kidney grille, and the headlight units fully integrated in the side panels all help to give the front end of the new BMW X5 a particularly powerful and dynamic look. At the top, the dual round headlights would appear to be slightly cut off, giving the new BMW X5 a clear and consistent focus.

The rear end also exudes a powerful touch of elegance, the high edge of the rear bumper accentuating the width of the vehicle and, accordingly, its strong and stable stance on the road. This impression is then further enhanced
by the horizontal structure of the rear light clusters in typical BMW L-design extending far into the rear lid as such. And last but certainly not least, four light conductor rods give the new X5 a striking and refined look also at night.

The combination of concave and convex surfaces combines the powerful flair so typical of a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle with the elegant presence of an outstanding premium car. These contours create dynamic light and shadow lines symbolising the agility of the vehicle and giving the surfaces a clear structure. The muscular wheel arches, in turn, stand for superior stability and, together with the powerful and wide track, contribute to the individual look of the new BMW X5.

Aerodynamic, safe, and spacious: the body of the new BMW X5.

Exceptionally good aerodynamics is one of the particular quality features of the new BMW X5 and its special body design. Low lift forces benefit both driving dynamics and safety on the road, the drag coefficient of just 0.33 (BMW X5 3.0si) placing the new model right at the top of its segment also in this respect.

The new BMW X5 measures 4,854 millimetres or 191.10�� in length and 1,933 millimetres or 76.10�� in width.

This increase in size versus the former model means much more space and greater variability within the interior, the new BMW X5 offering five full-size, really comfortable seats perfectly suited for long distances.

Maximum flexibility: two additional seats in the third row.

A further sign of the high standard of flexibility offered by the new X5 is the option to have a third row of seats fitted at the rear right from the start at the factory. This provides two additional seats comfortably accommodating passengers up to a body height of approximately 1.70 metres or 5�7��.

Both of these rear seats are equipped with three-point inertia-reel seat belts and headrests adjustable for height. To ensure easy access to the third-row seats, the second row of seats may be tilted completely to the front, even with their backrests still upright. Grab recesses inside the C-pillars also facilitate access to the rear. Whenever these additional seats are not required, they may be folded down individually or together completely into the floor of the luggage compartment.

Last but not least, the new BMW X5 offers passengers in the second row of seats 40 millimetres or 1.6�� more kneeroom than in the former model.

Opening in two sections, the tailgate provides access to a generously dimensioned loading compartment now 100 millimetres or almost 4�� longer than before. An additional compartment beneath the luggage compartment as such on models without the third row of seats offers an extra 90 litres or 3.15 cubic feet of storage space, while overall capacity of the luggage compartment is up under the VDA standard by 110 litres (3.85 cubic feet) or 22 per cent to 620 litres (21.7 cubic feet) on the five-seater version of the new BMW X5.

Folding down the asymmetrically split second row of seats completely, luggage capacity increases to a most significant 1,750 litres or 61.25 cubic feet (+ 200 litres or + 13 per cent over the former model). And even with the third row of seats moved up into position, the driver and his passengers still enjoy 200 litres or 7.0 cubic fee luggage capacity.

Intelligent lightweight technology: even stronger on almost the same weight.

Despite the larger exterior dimensions of the new BMW X5, BMW�s engineers have succeeded in keeping the weight of the new model almost unchanged, while making the body even stiffer than before. In order to reach the goal of combining extra space with greater stability while avoiding any significant increase in weight, BMW�s specialists have focused consistently on lightweight technology. Both the choice of materials and the arrangement as well as the geometry of load-bearing elements, bars and supports are based on an overall concept designed from the start for maximum safety in a collision combined with superior agility on the road.

Torsional stiffness compared with the former model is up by approximately 15 per cent from 23,500 to 27,000 Nm/degree.

Low-slung support arms around the wheel arches firmly connected to the engine support arms and angled in towards the middle of the vehicle serve to optimise front-end stiffness without adding extra weight. Around the C pillars, a complete torsion ring likewise serves to increase stiffness to an even higher level than before. A further effect is provided by wedge contours firmly clamping the tailgate between the two D-pillars. Positive interconnection of the wedge elements resting at medium level when closed on the two D-pillars is ensured by the soft-close function of the tailgate featured as standard.

High- and ultra-high-strength steel is used above all at the rear of the new BMW X5 in order to maximise stiffness and impact resistance in a collision from the rear while still using a minimum amount of material for this purpose. At the front a cast aluminium spring support likewise helps to reduce weight while at the same time optimising body stiffness.

The special configuration of the front side panels and their support modules made of plastic also serves to meet several objectives in development, not only saving weight and providing greater freedom in design, but also ensuring enhanced pedestrian safety and protection.

Stable passenger cell, wide range of safety features.

The most significant passive safety element in the new BMW X5 is the stable passenger cell. Forces acting on the vehicle in the event of a collision are diverted through the engine support arms and the chassis down several load paths in order to prevent extreme loads acting on individual structures.

Inside, the new BMW X5 features not only frontal and hip/thorax airbags, but also curtain head airbags at the side as standard. These curtain airbags inflate whenever required out of the covers on the A-pillars and roof lining, efficiently protecting the occupants in the first two rows of seats from injury should the worst come to the worst.

The new BMW X5 comes with three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats.
A further highlight in all cases is the belt force limiter plus a belt tensioner on the front seats. And last but certainly not least, ISOFIX child seat fastenings are featured as standard on the second row of seats.

In the event of an imminent rollover, the rollover sensor in the new BMW X5 ensures immediate activation of the curtain airbags and belt latch tensioners. And being networked to DSC Dynamic Stability Control, these sensors will always respond not only in good time, but exactly in line with current requirements.

The bottom line, therefore, is that the new BMW X5, through its body structure and wide range of safety features, offers all the qualities for achieving best marks in all crash tests relevant the world over.

The interior: functional and refined.

The unique driving experience in the new BMW X5 is clearly borne out from the start through the characteristic commanding position enjoyed in particular by the driver. This higher seating position and the arrangement of the instrument panel slightly angled towards the driver create the impression of unrestricted control over the vehicle. The comfort zone on the dashboard in the middle between the driver and the front passenger comprises all functions and displays also for convenient use and scrutiny by the front-seat passenger. A particular highlight directly in the line of vision of both occupants at the front is the iDrive Control Display positioned in the instrument panel at the same level as the circular dials.

Through its slender design and harmonious transition to the door linings, the instrument panel looks both powerful and elegant all in one. In conjunction with the load-bearing element on the centre console tapering out towards the bottom, it creates the impression as if the entire dashboard were hovering freely in space.

Apart from this attractive design, sophisticated materials, tasteful colour combinations, comfortable seats and padded armrests all act together to provide a truly stylish ambience. The sheer generosity of space available, numerous storage options and perfect finish all go together to reflect the typical character of a high-quality, mult -purpose Sports Activity Vehicle.

The interior of the new BMW X5 combines the exclusive style of a luxury performance saloon with all the variability and functionability of a modern SAV. Four interior colour worlds, six equipment and trim colours and five different versions of trim strips, combined with no less than nine exterior colours, provide a wide range of options in customising the vehicle.
And galvanised trim strips in Pearl Gloss Chrome featured as standard interact perfectly with the trim panels to add an extra touch of style, value and elegance.

BMW iDrive with eight favourite buttons.

The new BMW X5 is equipped with BMW�s trendsetting iDrive control concept to mastermind the Navigation, Air Conditioning, Entertainment, and Communication functions. Comfort and communication settings are controlled by the iDrive Controller on the centre console, the functions and settings chosen are displayed on the Control Display. This new, anti-dazzle monitor automatically adjusting in brightness to ambient light is positioned at exactly the right point within the instrument panel, enabling the driver to take in the information displayed at any time without turning his head and only very briefly moving his eyes away from the road.

Eight favourite buttons for individual choice of functions by the driver serve to further simplify control of the system. So simply pressing one button, the driver is able in this case to call up particularly frequent functions such as important telephone numbers, regular destinations, or a favourite radio station.

As an option information relevant to the driver may also be presented on the Head-Up Display quite unique in the SAV segment and again placed at a particularly convenient point on the windscreen. This ensures that the speed of the vehicle, navigation instructions, speed control data as well as warnings from the Check/Control are all properly presented in the driver�s direct line of vision.

Optimum visibility: xenon headlights, adaptive and bending lights.

In conjunction with xenon headlights available as an option, the new BMW X5 offers an attractive and highly functional daytime light function provided by the light rings in the dual round headlights. In this case the rings in the two inner headlights transmit a particularly intense light about 100 times brighter than the parking lights, ensuring much better recognition of the car also from a greater distance and making sure that the new X5 is recognised immediately as a BMW due to its particular light design.

Additional comfort when driving at night is provided by High-Beam Assist also available as an option on the new BMW X5. This system automatically switches back to the low-beam headlights as soon as other vehicles are approaching or the distance to a vehicle ahead drops below a certain point. And yet another function is the foglamps serving as bending lights when taking a turn.

Cruise control complete with activation of the brakes when necessary is yet another attractive option available in the new BMW X5. This system acts on engine management, the selection of gears and the brakes in order to consistently keep the speed originally chosen by the driver. Permanently monitoring the vehicle�s lateral acceleration, cruise control with its automatic brake function also recognises the risk of inadequate safety or comfort in bends and responds immediately by reducing the speed of the vehicle. To ensure a controlled process of driving downhill, finally, the system may even activate the brakes in order to keep the driver in full control, especially when towing a trailer.

Innovative options.

High-grade navigation and audio systems serve to enhance grand touring comfort in the new BMW X5 to an even higher standard. A DVD video system for the second row of seats, a CD or DVD changer in the glove compartment, as well as the innovative multi-channel audio system, are among the highlights offered in mobile entertainment.

Even the standard audio system comes with six loudspeakers, while BMW�s HiFi system Professional specially conceived for the reproduction of multi-channel audio sources comes with no less than 16 loudspeakers.

Thanks to the AUX-IN bush fitted as standard, music from external audio sources such as an MP3 player may be fed directly into the vehicle�s loudspeakers.

Further systems naturally also available are the BMW Online mobile internet portal as well as the BMW Assist telematics service. BMW TeleServices are a new amenity now available in the BMW X5: Using the BMW Teleservice Call, the vehicle, whenever required, sends all information important for the workshop automatically to the driver�s BMW Service Partner.

The customer then receives a call from his Service Partner in order to agree on the date of the car�s next service and the work to be done on the occasion.

Soon BMW TeleDiagnosis will even be able to provide an �X-ray� image of the vehicle at the request of the customer, with entries recorded in the control units being read out upfront of the next inspection to give the driver�s
BMW Service Partner a good overview of the vehicle and its status in advance. The customer, in turn, will then receive his personalised service offer right from the start before driving to the service station.

In the event of an electronic malfunction, BMW TeleDiagnosis not only allows a remote advisory service for the customer, but even provides direct assistance from a distance. At the request of the customer, for example, defect entries in the control units may be deleted or a control unit may be re-set over the air, serving in many cases to immediately remedy a malfunction.

Supplementing PDC Park Distance Control, the new BMW X5 is also available with a back-up camera significantly facilitating the process of parking and manoeuvring in confined spaces with poor visibility.

To activate the back-up camera, all the driver has to do is press a button or shift to reverse, in which case the camera is activated automatically together with PDC. And apart from providing a wide-angle, colour video image in exactly the right perspective on the Control Display, the back-up camera offers a number of additional functions such as interactive trace lines in the picture helping the user find the ideal trajectory in manoeuvring or when parking.

Yet another innovative function serves to colour-mark any obstacles detected by the PDC ultrasound sensors in the camera image, generating a quasi-three-dimensional graph. And to provide further assistance when hooking up a trailer, the back-up camera offers a zoom function with yet another interactive graph allowing the driver to dock on to the trailer towbar without the slightest problem.

Innovative technology, premium ambience with all the qualities of a luxury performance saloon, powerful elegance in body design and outstanding driving dynamics � all these features make the new BMW X5 a truly outstanding performer in its segment. And so the new model continues the tradition of its predecessor, the world�s first Sports Activity Vehicle setting the foundation for a brand-new segment in the market. Now the engineers and designers developing the new BMW X5 have further enhanced these proven strengths, adding additional qualities in the process to once again create an absolutely unique vehicle unparalleled the world over.

In a segment now subject to keen competition, the new BMW X5 once again sets the standard in driving dynamics and agility. No other vehicle combines the features so typical of a BMW with the fascinating qualities of a truly versatile Sports Activity Vehicle stylish and full of presence in its look.
This makes the new BMW X5 the ideal vehicle for the discerning motorist seeking, through the choice of his or her automobile, to express active, individual and independent lifestyle and at the same time enjoy a new dimension of driving experience.

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