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

Features and Equipment (I)

Xenon headlights, Headlight Assistant, Bending Lights.
First SAV with Head-Up Display.
Back-up camera with interactive track lines and zoom function.

The fascinating experience offered by the new BMW X5 results not only from the actual process of motoring in supreme style. Rather, the mere looks of BMW�s new model and the sophisticated ambience inside the vehicle clearly confirm that this is a superior premium model right at the top of the SAV segment, numerous features within the refined and functional interior boasting trendsetting solutions in ergonomically meaningful and comfort oriented design.

Over and above these features outstanding from the start, the wide range of options comprises numerous innovations offered for the first time in an SAV. These include innovations in technology ensuring significant progress in motoring comfort, function, and safety. Indeed, this again underlines the unique character of the new BMW X5 as a vehicle setting new benchmarks in its segment in terms of both driving dynamics and exclusivity.

Xenon headlights with daytime, Adaptive and Bending Lights.

In conjunction with xenon headlights available as an option, the new BMW X5 comes with a choice of several highly innovative light technologies, Adaptive Headlights, Bending Lights, and daytime operation of the lights ensuring optimum illumination of the road ahead and better recognition of the vehicle at all times.

The daytime driving mode uses the corona light rings in the dual round headlights, the rings on the two inner high-beam headlights providing a particularly intense light 100 times brighter than regular parking lights.

When activated on the new BMW X5, however, the parking lights use all four rings in the dual round headlights with the same intensity.

The daytime lights enhance visibility of the vehicle particularly from a longer distance and thus improve driving safety in the process. Compared with normal low-beam headlights, energy consumption in the daytime lights mode is down more than 50 per cent. A further attractive point offered by the corona rings acting as daytime lights is that the vehicle is not only easier to see and more visible, but can also be identified at first sight as a BMW.

The Adaptive Headlights illuminate the road ahead as a function of the steering angle, the headlights following bends in the road and improving visibility precisely on the upcoming section ahead of the vehicle.

Yet a further function offered together with Adaptive Headlights is Bending Lights integrated in the foglamps: Whenever the driver takes a bend, the inner foglamp in the bend is automatically activated, an additional reflector then serving to illuminate the road in the direction the driver is taking.
As a result, Bending Lights extend the 15� area of illumination covered by the Adaptive Headlights by enlarging the angle of illumination up to 90�.

High-Beam Assist for optimum visibility at night.

High-Beam Assist, also available as an option in the new BMW X5 ensures additional comfort when driving at night, automatically switching off the high beam as soon as oncoming traffic is approaching, the distance to a vehicle driving ahead drops below a certain point, or the road is sufficiently illuminated, for example in a built-up area. Conversely, the system also switches automatically whenever appropriate from low to high beam.

High-Beam Assist is masterminded by a camera integrated in the interior mirror and monitoring both the level of brightness and traffic conditions.
An evaluation unit then sends appropriate signals to a module switching the lights on or off as required. High Beam Assist is activated automatically when switching on the headlights, and is deactivated by the stalk on the steering column, with the driver still having the option to control the high and low beams manually as desired. Through its automatic operation, however, the High-Beam Assist guarantees a higher standard of safety, enabling the driver to concentrate fully on road traffic while the Assistant works efficiently on its own.

Making its debut in the SAV segment: Head-Up Display in the BMW X5.

The new BMW X5 is available as an option with a Head-Up Display, information relevant to the driver such as the road speed of the car or navigation data being presented directly in the driver�s line of vision and therefore in an ergonomically particularly favourable position on the windscreen.

Via the Control Display, the driver is to choose the information he would like to receive, saving personal settings such as the brightness of the Display or the position of the image in the Key/Car Memory, while the intensity of projection automatically adjusts to ambient light conditions.

Enabling the driver to take up important information without taking his eyes off the road, the Head-Up Display serves to enhance driving safety to an even higher standard. Indeed, the system makes the entire process of driving the car less tiring, since the driver is required far less often to re-focus his eyes.

Back-up camera: everything in sight.

Supplementing PDC Park Distance Control, the BMW X5 comes for the first time with a back-up camera fitted almost invisibly above the rear numberplate and providing a wide-angle view of the rear end on the Central Display within the BMW X5.

This system facilitates both parking and manoeuvring, particularly in confined spaces or areas difficult to see. The back-up camera is activated automatically together with PDC by shifting to reverse or manually by pressing the Parking button in the cockpit, the Control Display then clearly showing the driver the area behind the vehicle in a coloured, optimised view providing the right perspective. Graphics superimposed on the video image facilitate the process of manoeuvring, interactive track lines, for example, presenting the space required in advance and the optimum trajectory in entering a parking space.

These graphic elements are permanently adjusted to the position of the steering wheel and the vehicle itself, additional static lines presenting the closest possible turning circle on the road as a particularly helpful feature when backing-up into a roadside parking space. Coloured obstacle markings in the camera image based on PDC ultrasound signals, in turn, make it easier for the driver to register obstacles and tight points.

A special function enlarges the image area to the full size of the screen as a function of speed: At low speeds this presents an area extending from the rear bumper all the way to the horizon, at high speeds the lower point of presentation is about 1 metre or 3.3 feet above the ground, the upper point is significantly above the horizon.

Using the back-up camera is particularly helpful when hooking up a trailer, the zooming function serving to enlarge the size of the image around the trailer hook. Special static lines in the image then assist the driver in properly assessing the distance from the trailer hook, an interactive docking line related to the position and angle of the steering wheel allowing a precise approach to the trailer hook itself. And in cold weather, finally, the camera lens is automatically heated to keep the entire system free of snow and ice.

Multifunction steering wheel for quick and convenient control.

In every car, the steering wheel rim is the interface between man and machine, giving the driver spontaneous feedback on road conditions and the behaviour of his vehicle. So to make sure that the driver is not distracted from the primary process of driving his vehicle by having to operate the audio system or telephone, the new BMW X5 comes as standard with a multifunction steering wheel.

The �basic� steering wheel on the new BMW X5 is in three-spoke design and features a steering wheel rim in leather with an ergonomically optimised grab area, multifunction switches and two freely programmable buttons available for covering various functions over and above the telephone and audio system.

A sports steering wheel smaller in diameter is available as an option, featuring leather trim and a decal bar. And to provide the final touch, both steering wheels are available with a heated wheel rim.

Four-zone automatic air conditioning for enhanced personal comfort.

Automatic air conditioning is yet another standard feature boasted in the new BMW X5 � and as an option two special versions with either two- or four-zone automatic air conditioning are available for an even higher level of comfort and motoring pleasure.

Two-zone automatic air conditioning allows individual temperature control for the driver and font passenger, with air distribution being controlled either automatically or manually on the left and right. A further feature is the choice of various levels of air conditioning � soft, medium, or intense.

Four-zone air conditioning enhances these settings by offering the same control at the rear, using a separate control panel for this purpose.
In this case air vents in the B-pillars supplement the system, ensuring optimum distribution of air also on the rear seats.

To ensure the same standard of heating comfort on the diesel model as on the gasoline versions of the new BMW X5, heater output on board the BMW X5 3.0d is optimised by means of an electric air heater.

Active front-seat ventilation.

Active ventilation of the front seats ensures additional comfort and well-being in hot weather, thus also helping to enhance the standard of safety, since an optimised seat climate keeps driver fatigue to a minimum.

Adjustment of ventilation intensity in three stages and appropriate distribution of air between the seat bottom and backrest is handled by BMW iDrive.
Fans integrated in the foam sections of the seats distribute interior air throughout the seat surface and, from there, through the permeable seat heating layer and the perforated leather upholstery to the outside of the seats. To prevent any risk of under-cooling, the seat heating integrated in the system is automatically switched on when required.

Lights Package for an exclusive ambience inside the new BMW X5.

A new interior lights concept makes sure that driving the BMW X5 in the dark is an equally unique experience the driver and passengers will enjoy in a truly pleasant and exclusive ambience. Two footwell lights at the front are fitted as standard, two additional lights at the rear are available as an option, and the four door handle recesses inside the BMW X5 are illuminated indirectly whenever the headlights are on. Even the areas around the door pockets are bathed in emotional, indirect light by a light bar integrated in the door lining.

Installation of LED lights in the door panels and outer handles also serves to optimise the illumination of the area around the vehicle, the space required for getting into and out of the new BMW X5 being consistently and smoothly illuminated when opening the doors. And to facilitate the process of getting into the vehicle in the dark, the illumination may be activated from the start when unlocking the doors.

Comfort Access: starting the engine without even touching the key.

Optional Comfort Access enables the driver of the new BMW X5 to unlock his vehicle and start the engine without even touching the key. All he has to do is carry the key to the car in, say, his pocket or briefcase, central locking then opening the door locks when the driver or one of the passengers pulls a door handle. This mechanism is activated as soon as a signal transmitter integrated in the key to the vehicle comes within a radius of 1.5 metres from the door handle operated by the driver or one of the passengers.

Then, once inside the vehicle, the driver is able to start the engine as soon as the key to the new BMW X5 is within the passenger compartment, without having to insert the transmitter key into the shaft next to the steering wheel. Instead, all he has to do is press down the brake pedal and press the start/stop button in order to start the engine. A further point is that the vehicle cannot be locked as long as the key is still within the passenger compartment.

Key preserving the driver�s personal profile.

Taking delivery of his or her new BMW X5, the owner receives two remote control keys able to save and retrieve the personal profiles and comfort settings of various users. For further convenience, a number of personal settings may be saved individually and retrieved when unlocking the vehicle: sound settings in the audio system, radio station settings, radio settings in general, programming of favourite buttons by BMW iDrive, language presented in the Control Display, air conditioning data (temperature, air distribution), seat, mirror and steering column settings, illumination, central locking, settings of the back-up camera, and configuration of the Head-Up Display.

When leaving the vehicle, the control units responsible for the respective functions automatically save the respective settings on the key used, then re-activating the settings memorised as soon as the vehicle is operated again with the same key. Settings modified while driving, on the other hand, are automatically saved when leaving the vehicle on the key used.

Photo Gallery>>>