ENGINE REVISIONS ALREADY FOR THE NEW BMW X5
03 August 2007 - BMW

The car industry has never been slow in introducing new designs and technologies to keep one step ahead of the competition.

High taxation levels on gas guzzling vehicles, proposed future draconian changes in emissions legislation that manufacturers will have to meet together with pressure from the ‘green’ anti-car lobbyists has forced the development and introduction of ‘lean and green’ technology.

Take for instance the BMW X5, a large 4x4. The all-new X5 sports activity range was only introduced in April this year with 3.0-litre petrol and diesel and 4.8i petrol engine options.

But already BMW has just announced that the best selling 3.0d diesel unit will be changed in October this year, just seven months after the launch. This revised version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine has lower emissions and improved fuel economy and performance all developed under their EfficientDynamics programme. The X5’s petrol engines are also uprated and another even more powerful sports diesel engine has been introduced which is virtually as clean as the lesser power unit.

EfficientDynamics is the name given to BMW’s programme for developing more fuel efficient and cleaner engines but without any loss in performance. Their programme also includes fuel saving technologies for transmissions, lightweight composite bodypanels, lightweight aluminium suspension systems and brake energy regeneration.

This technology is already in place with some models in their 1, 3 and 5 Series. Other manufacturers such as DaimlerChrysler and VW/Audi have similar programmes. For the Mercedes and smart brands it is BlueTec at Volkswagen and Audi it is BlueMotion.

BMW say the revised six-cylinder 3.0d engine produces 214g/km of CO2 emissions, a drop of 17g/km. This puts it in Band F saving owners £95 a year in Vehicle Excise Duty. The combined cycle fuel economy improves from 32.5mpg to 34.9mpg and acceleration is improved with zero to 62mph taking 8.1 seconds rather than 8.3 seconds. Power output is 235hp and torque is 520Nm. The price of the X5 with this new engine is going to be £40,545 0.8% higher than the model it replaces.

Similarly the 3.0i and 4.8-litre petrol engines for the X5 are also improved for fuel economy with lower emissions.

Never standing still BMW has also now introduced the world’s most powerful 3.0-litre sd diesel engine option for the X5 in SE and M Sport specification. In this state of tune the twin-turbocharged engine has 286hp with peak torque of 580Nm from just 1,750rpm. Zero to 62mph is covered in 7.0 seconds and the top speed is 146mph.

This new engine has been introduced because BMW has been asked by some X5 owners for an even greater level of performance. Fuel economy is still good at a quoted 34.4mpg with CO2 levels at 216g/km, which also gives a vehicle excise duty rating in Band G, the same as the new 3.0d. The price of the X5 3.0sd SE is £42,630 and £47,675 for the M Sport version.

Views
It is very difficult to review a model which you know is going to have a revised engine in a few months time but my UK road test of the all-new BMW X5 3.0d SE has been in my diary since the vehicle was launched in April. Priced at £40,220 this is the best selling model in the line-up. The current X5 range starts at £39,540 and rises to £49,980.

BMW sell around 8,000 X5s in the UK each year. The refined 4x4 was first introduced in 1999. It was not intended to be an out and out conventional executive specification off-roader, but a sports vehicle with impeccable on road driving qualities but with enough off-road performance to cope with light duties such as driving over fields and rough tracks.

Over 90 per cent of X5s sold are diesel models and mainly they are bought by independent business people or companies for use by their executives. It is not surprising then that 86 per cent of owners are male and aged 41-50 years old. Business use during the week and family recreational use at weekends tends to be the role of the X5. Contrary to public perception only a third of X5s are used as school run cars say BMW.

Many large 4x4s have seven seats, the original X5 didn’t so one of the main improvements to the second generation vehicle was the introduction of the optional the third row seating. BMW say this has brought more family buyers to the marque and is chosen by 25 per cent of all buyers. The third row seating option costs a hefty £1,320.

Whilst on the subject of options my test vehicle came with several more. These included adaptive drive, aluminium running boards, the Dynamics Package of 19-inch sports wheels, sports suspension, sports steering wheel, leather upholstery and so on, a Media Package consisting of navigation system, Bluetooth and uprated CD changer and the third row seating option all adding up to an extra £9,190.

The X5 is a technology masterpiece, hence its price. It has all the integrated driving systems you expect from a high performance and expensive BMW car or estate. The permanent four-wheel xDrive system has a bias to the rear wheels and a 50-50 weight distribution for optimum on-road handling. Off-road the system provides power to the wheel, or wheels, with the most grip but bear in mind the X5 comes with high performance, run-flat road pattern tyres so serious mud-plugging is out of the question.

All new X5s have a faster shifting six-speed automatic transmission as standard operated by a small gear lever with top and side buttons and with illuminated indicators as to which mode is selected - clever stuff once you get used to it. The vehicle also has an electronic switch as the handbrake.

The dreaded BMW iDrive, their integrated control system that operates everything from the sound system to the navigation system and a host of operating functions, is fitted to the X5 for the first time. The iDrive is now simpler but it takes a while to get used to it.

Inside, in addition to the third row seating option, the centre row is split 60/40 and can be folded down to provide a huge load area. With all second and third row seats folded there is a massive 1,750-litres of luggage or carrying space. With five seats in use luggage space is 620-litres and with seven seats in use the load area is 200-litres. The X5 is big, but its nimble, this is no ‘Yank Tank’. Compared to the original X5 the new model is 187mm longer, 17mm wider, the wheelbase has been increased by 113mm and to lower the centre of gravity the front and rear tracks have been increased by 68 to 74mm respectively.

Exterior styling changes a larger kidney shaped grille for improved cooling, sharper styling lines and L-shaped rear LED lights. The load area is accessed through a lift-up tailgate but with a lower drop-down section for ease of loading heavy items.

There as been a noticeable upgrading of the interior. The quality is much higher, the workmanship better and the overall looks have been vastly improved. It now looks and feels like an executive car or 4x4.

The on-road ride and handling is superb. The ride is a little hard with the sports suspension and this also makes the vehicle fidgety on poorer road surfaces. There is very little of the body role normally found with virtually all large 4x4s. The grip is immense thanks to the four-wheel traction; the steering is precise and gives good feedback to the driver.

The 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder common rail diesel engine is a refined unit, quiet, smooth and in its current form still pretty fuel efficient. My test car returned an overall 29.7mpg whilst the official figure is 32.5mpg. Power output is 235hp with 520Nm of torque from 2,000rpm. Top speed is 134mph and 0-62mph is covered in 8.3 seconds.

The BMW X5 in its second generation is a much better vehicle and with the additional changes coming on a regular basis it will just keep getting better still, albeit at stiffer prices.

New technology does not come cheap.

MILESTONES. BMW X5 3.0d SE. Price £40,220 (£49,410 as tested). Engine/transmission: 3.0-litre, straight six cylinder, turbocharged common-rail diesel 235hp, 520Nm of torque, six-speed automatic gearbox with xDrive permanent four wheel drive with variable torque split. Performance: 134mph, 0-62mph 8.3 seconds, 32.5mpg (29.7mpg actual), CO2 231g/km, VED Band G £300. Towing capacity braked: 2,700kg.
For: Best handling large 4x4 on-road, excellent build quality, refinement, on-going evolution and introduction of low emission engines and other fuel saving methods, seven seat option.
Against: Aggressive styling and road size for some people, firm ride over some surfaces, protruding running boards make it difficult to get in and out of the vehicle, price of options.

Miles Better News Agency

www.bmwgroup.com

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