BMW X5, was the world’s
first premium SAV (sport activity vehicle) launched in 1999. All were shell shocked at its
design and power, having sold more than 1 million units since launch. The X5
does exude an aura of style, power, and luxurious comfort.
The design and
looks are very eye catching - soft mean look with attention to details and
design with the distinctive narrowed dual round Xenon headlights, incorporating
the signature corona rings, between them the traditional and wider front kidney
design grille chrome-finished, for more engine cooling - four air intakes in
honey comb style with fog lamps, giving it the sex appeal and sporty
aggressiveness.
I just love the
front of the X5, it really exhilarates me. The flowing four lines at the
bonnet, just seduces you to be behind the wheel.
Few of the
standard exterior options include power outside mirrors, rear window
wiper/washer, intermittent rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive headlights
and roof rails. The X5 3.0d rests on
18-inch light alloy wheels with star spokes 204, tyre specs: 255/55 R 18 and the
wheelbase is 2933mm and the comfort of accessing with keyless entry is a boon.
For aesthetics, the rear view mirrors and the door handles are in body color
and electrically adjustable with automatic anti-dazzle function. The roof
railing in matt black and aluminum running board in chrome are optional.
The side view
looks sleek with body color door handles and rear view mirrors and an aluminum
running board gleaming in the sunlight gives it a classy appeal with sleek roof
rails.
The interiors are very contemporary with a blend of
classic feel. The dashboard has wood finish panels and the centre console too
with the instrumentation clearly readable and sharp having two dials and an
integrated compact display monitor. The keyless entry is certainly a gift of
technology, as I sit behind the 245 bamo bull hp and torque measuring to 540Nm@1750-3000rpm, very spacious and luxurious and the high
driving position offering good all-round visibility. The powered steering wheel
is wrapped in leather with multi-functions mounted controls over the spokes and
equipped with an adjustable servotronic steering assistance system. The
steering is light on heavy traffic and gets less sensitive on highways for
safety reasons. Slip in the Best of Madonna cd into the 6 CD changer system
paired with 12 loud speakers, USB/audio interface, a DVD changer system is
optional only with HiFi professional.
Love the instrument panels and the powerful AC with 2 zone
climate control AC vents, which include Automatic Air Recirculation (AAR) and
condensation sensors, which keeps the cabin pollution free. The interiors are
very spacious for the rear passengers too and the luggage capacity is a massive 1,750 liters, enough to fit in a golf bag and tons of groceries.
Well let’s not forget, cup holders, magazine storage slots and other options.
There has been a
new design to the interior layout with layers. The 8.8inch tablet size idrive color
screen is very prominent and is definitely required for the front passengers
for ease of reading navigation and for info on A/V, weather, etc.
The interior layout is designed with
multiple horizontal layers, with the large iDrive screen sticking out of the
centre of the dash like a big tablet. The new iDrive hi res 8.8 inch screen has
the latest operating system installed with a new color scheme and a fast
processor, whereby the menu screens are fast and smooth to scroll with
interesting animations. Built-in internet access for iDrive is provided as an
option or if the driver has a smart phone, he/she can easily access the
internet through tethering via smart phone.
The iDrive
interfaced with the 8.8inch widescreen LCD keeps you updated of the dynamics of
the vehicle and the required settings with a great infotainment system to
choose your music preference, climate control, etc and has made it simpler to
figure out the personalization settings the driver requires.
As an option, multi
view parking cameras and side view cameras are provided, which are essential on
the streets of Bombay with chaotic traffic, a boon and to protect the X5 from being
scraped during peak traffic time and even assists during tight parking, which
is amazingly convenient.
The people
sitting at the back, certainly deserve comfort and entertainment too, there has
been small revisions made to the rear sets/bench, that it splits 40:20:40
instead of 60:40 and there is the option for shapely comfort seats similar to
rear seats of the X6, which can slide front and back by 80mm and recline by up
to 10 degrees.
Friends or
family relaxed at the back seats can enjoy movies on the DVD system with
rotatable display mounted between the front seats and enjoy great entertainment
paired with a vibration-resistant DVD player, fitted in the central console and
headphones ensure that the driver is not distracted.
After a long day
at office, the drive back home, sitting behind, it’s pretty quiet with more
soundproofing provided and refinement, bliss.
Other comfort
features include, Lumber support for driver and front passenger, On-board
monitor with TV function, Panorama glass roof, Aluminum running boards,
Armrest, front and rear, Car phone preparation, Cup holder front and rear,
Exterior parts in body color, Floor mats in velour, Automatic air conditioning
with 2-zone control, HiFi system
Professional LOGIC7, Interior and exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle
function, Lights package, Luggage-compartment separating net, Park Distance
Control (PDC), Seat adjustment, electrical with pneumatic rear suspension,
Windscreen with grey shade band, xDrive (all-wheel drive system with variable torque
distribution), etc.
When it comes to
safety and security features, it’s a long list, Airbags for
driver and front passenger, Head airbags for front and 2nd-row passengers, Side
airbags for front passengers, seat occupant detector, Warning triangle with
first-aid kit, Rollover Sensor, Automatic fuel pump cut-off, Bumper system with
interchangeable crumple zones front and rear absorbing impact at speeds up to
15 km/h, Runflat tyres, Seat belts, including automatic inertia reels, Dynamic
Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Anti-lock brake system
(ABC), Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
with extended features, front with pyrotechnic belt tensioners and belt force
limiters, rear with 3-point belts for all seats, Hill Descent Control (HDC),
Integrated side-impact protection, etc.
The X5 comes
loaded with plenty of safety features to take care of its occupants' safety. It
has a dual front-impact airbag Supplemental Restraint System with
dual-threshold and dual-stage deployment, 3-point safety belts and head
restraints at all seating positions, a roll-over sensor that triggers airbags
and safety belt pre-tensioners in the event of a roll-over, a steering column
crash system, a central locking system and Coded Driveaway Protection, and an
alarm system with key-head remote operation interior motion detector.
My X5 xDrive30d
test SAV was equipped with a
3.0 liter, 6 cylinder, in-line diesel engine with turbocharger which generated
245 hp at 4000 rpm and a peak torque of 540 Nm at 1750-3000 rpm, mated to a
Steptronic 8 speed automatic gearbox. This resulted in an exciting performance and
the result from 0-100 kmph sprint in 7.6 seconds. This 3.0litre diesel engine ensured
a mileage of about 6-7 kmpl in city and 10 - 12 kmpl on highways.
Love the throttle
response and step down is responsive enough, pulls of stronger and with very
less lag perfectly matching the 8 speed gearbox, short and strong torque curve
accurately.
The 8-speed
automatic gearbox is efficient, smooth, quick shifting and calculates changes
for gears perfectly. The auto start/stop function works smoothly with both
engines.
BMW’s xDrive
system comes with a default torque split scheme of 40:60 (front: rear) and the
xDrive variants are featured with all wheel drive system with variable torque
distribution.
The xDrive 4x4
system delivers phenomenal traction and one is reassured of hugging grip levels
by transferring engine power flexibly and variably to each axle,
ensuring the axle with the greatest traction receiving the most power and
delivering optimum road-holding, perfect performance on bends and great forward
thrust.
In BMW’s
optional Adaptive Drive package, the chassis can be enhanced for further
precision handling and road holding with the help of variable damper control
and active anti roll bars which tightens body control even further and improves
the handling and road holding.
The other engine
variant available is the X5 50i, a petrol variant powered by a 4395cc, aggressive
BMW TwinPower Turbo V8 petrol engine producing a max power of 407 hp at
5500-6400 rpm and churning a peak torque of 600 Nm at 1750-4500 rpm mated with
a Steptronic 8 speed automatic transmission for efficient power delivery.
The overall
length of the SUV is 4854mm, width 1933mm and height is 1776mm, with a higher
ground clearance of 212mm with a wheelbase of 2933mm. 0-100 kmph mark in only
5.5 seconds giving mileage of 5 – 7 kmpl in the city and 9 - 11 kmpl on
highways.
As I was driving
the X5 xDrive 30d around town to have a feel of its power and handling, I am
impressed, power is instantaneous and strong, just no turbo lag at all and
switch to Sports mode, god damn, sharp and quick throttle response and road handling
and road holding is precise and amazing, very similar to the MINI COOPER S,
same DNA and while negotiating a sharp U turn at 45kmph, absolutely no skidding
or screeching, those 225 size tyres seriously hugging the road and off we go. The cornering
response and its amazingly known excellent body control providing perfect
steering and braking, does encourage confidence for experimenting at higher
speeds, but do buckle up hence must be a very experienced driver.
An efficient
energy recovery system, brake energy regeneration available on all X5's is so useful;
the battery can be charged “free of charge”. As the driver stops accelerating,
the kinetic energy is transformed into brake energy regeneration into electrical
energy that is stored and the battery requires less power input vehicle starts
again, reducing energy consumption and frees up the engine.
BMW has always stood for not only
being innovative to its customers but additionally to provide the convenience
and sheer driving pleasure, apart from being seated inside comfortably and not
feeling any bumps and enjoying the scenic mountain drive with serpentine curves
or a rough stretch through a river bank. BMW did a suspension overhaul, beginning
with the front suspension which was entirely redesigned - the springs are
softer and matching the appropriate damper setting as well with the lower
spring pans now positioned closer to the axle and for better bump absorbing,
the bump stops have been improved.
The Adaptive Drive system has made
body roll short with its electronically controlled variable anti roll bars
using electric motors to pull the car’s axles straight. In a straight line, the
anti roll bar would disconnect, allowing high levels of comfort. Supported
by Dynamic Damping Control, Dynamic Drive ensures that active stabilizers on
the front and rear axles deliver an outstandingly smooth ride and enhanced
agility.
The rear suspension springs, dampers
and bump stops are tweaked, by introducing new designed suspension top mount
called a ‘three way damper joint’ which has contributed significantly to the
new X5's superb drive. After testing them on Bombay roads, the best roads to
test auto suspension, the new X5 is a lot smoother over small bumps or very
irregular surfaces.
Complementing the
engine performance and suspension system, the eight-speed automatic delivers smooth
shifts with quick responses as needed and to get to everybody’s attention, the
additional ratios is the main reason for the impressive fuel-economy. The in-gear response is excellent with smooth
shifting of the eight-speed automatic transmission now standard on all X5’s; it
does compliment the X5 engines refined performance.
These Bamo Bulls
with best of luxury features comes with both side ventilated disc brakes and the
advanced suspensions, like Double-joint spring strut axle, rear Multilink axle
and for the Sports suspension settings, the Self-leveling with pneumatic type
suspension which provides the superb road handling and road holding.
Time for a
romantic drive and look up in the sky, nearly full moon, optional panorama glass-roof
with two-piece glass panels, for stunning view of the stars. The roof has power
slide and lift control, wind deflector, and during the day, use the electric
interior sunshade. As I change the music to Natalie Imbruglia, switch to
dynamic cruise control, which is standard and just checking the X5's electronic
analog instrumentation with LED illumination displaying the outside temperature
@ 22deg C besides other readings. The audio system has a standard anti-theft
AM/FM stereo CD radio with Radio Data System, MP3 capability, and a 3-channel
FM diversity antenna system with a high-fidelity 12-speaker sound system,
including two subwoofers under the front seats and a digital 7-channel
amplifier with 205 watts of power, very tempting to change to techno music, but
it’s a romantic drive, so will raise the volume a bit, to hear Natalie's sweet
and angelic voice and all the musical instruments can be heard crystal clear. BMW has kept standard
in the X5, the rear-window
defroster and tire pressure monitor.
If you want the
Premium Sound Package, it’s got ample entertainment options which include
premium high-fidelity 16-speaker sound system with Digital Sound Processing,
two subwoofers under the front seats and digital 9-channel amplifier with 600
watts of power, and a 6-disc CD-changer with MP3 capability.
The variants of
colors available with all BMW X5 are, Sparkling Bronze, Platinum Grey, Black
Sapphire, Space Gray Metallic, Titanium Silver, Vermilion Red, Platinum
Bronze and Deep Sea Blue.
As the trend for
owning a SUV/SAV, be it X6 or Q7 or ML 350 or Range Rover continues, its more
about intimidating, prestige and luxury space than its perceived value for its
4X4 off road capabilities, which is of course very important as the 4x4 system
does assist in controlling the X5 on a slippery road or a rough terrain with a
high seating view.
X5's sporty aura
and its firm ride may feel too stiff for some but its promising new benchmarks
for design, efficiency and driving pleasure that has won the hearts of many BMW
enthusiasts and the competition has switched to BMW X5 too.
BUCKLE UP FOR
THE BAMO BULL X5.
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