New BMW X5 revealed

All-new X5 range announced, including a four-cylinder two-wheel drive diesel (yes, really)

Where does PistonHeads stand on the BMW X5? Well, the floor is open... An all-new, third-generation X5 seems like a good opportunity to open debate on BMW's 'Sports Activity Vehicle', a segment it modestly claims as inventing itself before swamping it with ever more varied offshoots. 1.3m sales of the previous two X5s would suggest it nailed the formula from the start though.

All-new X5 looks, well, much like the old one

Which probably explains why this all-new one looks pretty much identical to the outgoing one. PH was among a crowd of journalists given an early peek at the car some months ago and even fully puffed up with marketing hyperbole BMW conceded that the look was 'evolutionary'. There are, at least, a couple of vents behind the front wheelarches to act as visual shorthand that you're looking at the third-gen car. And, yes, they are functional, reducing pressure in the arches and helping with BMW's 'air curtain' to cut drag created by those churning great wheels.

You can probably write the script yourself from this point on, with 19 per cent more this, 33g/km less of that and a host of new tech. And so it goes. BMW is claiming "extensive use of ultra-high-tensile steels in the body structure, an aluminium bonnet and magnesium instrument panel support and thermoplastic side panels have reduced the weight of the X5 compared with the previous model", citing the 2,145kg xDrive30d as the benchmark in this regard. Which is a commendable ... 5kg less than the existing model. A Range Rover aluminium enhanced crash diet this is not.

Evolution, not revolution says BMW - it's not kidding

The only really shocking news is the confirmation of a four-cylinder, rear-wheel drive sDrive version of the new 25d model. Just the ticket for those who want the X5 look but have no desire to fund the lifestyle. Which should at least temper the more aggressive bully boy driving tactics employed by your stereotypical X5 driver. Hard to tailgate if you can't even keep up with a Clio 1.2, after all.

It's the way things are going of course, Land Rover on its way to offering four-cylinder and hybrid versions of the new Range Rover Sport, once talk of the supercharged V8 versions has done its thing for the car's sporting image. And the new X5 employs plenty of Eco and Efficiency branded technology in its efforts to fly the green flag, the most ominous of which is termed Proactive Driving Assistant.

This works with the sat-nav and, in BMW's words, advises "the driver to ease off the accelerator when approaching corners or lower speed limit areas" much in the way your mother in law might from the passenger seat.

'Mother in law' sat nav nags you to drive green

The unreconstructed X5 buyer can meanwhile rest assured that BMW will still be selling versions with the grunt to back up the looks, the initial engine line-up comprising xDrive30d (£47,985, +13hp, -33g/km), 50d (£63,715) and 449hp petrol twin-turbo V8 50i (£63,920, +41hp, -50g/km). Two- and four-wheel drive 25d variants and a 40d will complete the initial line-up in due course, starting from £42,590. All get an eight-speed auto and BMW Professional Multimedia navigation as standard and there are four suspension packages to choose from. As before, that pricing puts the X5, offered in SE and M Sport trim, a few grand ahead of the equivalent Cayenne, with the £58,243, 382hp, 627lb ft Diesel S version of the Porsche an apparent bargain compared with £63,715 starting price for the comparable X5 50d. Sales start in November.

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mrclav

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