BMW unveiled the fourth generation of the X5 today. The X5 has been redesigned completely to be a more stylish and technology perceptive Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), a phrase BMW prefers over the conventional SUV (sports utility vehicle) to refer to more proactivity and engagement on the car’s part.
While keeping its proportions constant, the car has increased in size when compared to its predecessor and is all set to command more authority on the road. Upfront, the iconic kidney-shaped grille is a single humongous unit, an embodiment of BMW’s new styling philosophy that demands it to be taller and more extensive as one moves up the product range. It sits between a sculpted hood and short overhangs that impart high ground clearance and contribute to the brutal looks.
The headlamps comprise of blue coloured elements in an X like shape that house the laser light and are surrounded by successive geometric C shaped knurled elements that look very upscale. Towards the rear, the tail lamps have a more softened design and adorn the very utilitarian (and quite cool) electric split tailgate.
Inside, the dashboard and styling are like any other BMW: premium and timeless. The seats are upholstered in muted wood coloured leather that sets off elegantly against the brushed aluminium finish and small lighting cues coming from elements like the mood lighting, button lights and even those blue and red lines on the climate control that often elude attention. Almost anything that meets the eye is either made of aluminium or covered in leather. The plastics and faux wood parts feel very pleasant to touch. The highlight, however, has to be the control unit of the car with crystal-like cut glass embellished into the gear selector, iDrive wheel, audio control button and the start-stop switch. Also appealing to senses are the full panoramic sunroof and the striped guiding lights that BMW calls Welcome Light Carpet.
The functional part of the dashboard is skewed towards the driver, much like an aircraft’s cockpit. There are two 12.3” displays, one for the infotainment and the other for the instrument cluster. In terms of convenience, the car comes with automated parking assistance, a soft close feature for all four doors, gesture control, remote key detection, wireless charging and a heads up display unit amongst other things.
There is a host of features on the safety front including six airbags, attentiveness assistance, dynamic stability control, side collision protection, hill assistance and electronic engine immobiliser.
The car runs on a 6-cylinder motor that is available in both petrol and diesel variants that conform to the BS-VI standards. It sits on pneumatic suspension that enables the user to lower and raise the car at the touch of a button. The car is available in the all-wheel X-drive format only.
The car will be available in one petrol and two diesel variants. As of now, only the diesel variant is up for sale, with the petrol variant to go online later this year.
The ex-showroom prices for each variant are as follows:
BMW X5 xDrive30d Sport: INR 72,90,000
BMW X5 xDrive30d xLine: INR 82,40,000
BMW X5 xDrive340i M Sport: INR 82,40,000
