SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp., the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, unveiled the all-new X5 midsized Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). Offered only in xDrive30d xLine variant, the latest generation still embodies the model’s known characteristics of versatility, sovereignty and luxury. Built on a new and improved G05 platform, its overall dimensions are slightly bigger, including the wheelbase, compared to its predecessor.
Notable enhancements up front are the enlarged one-piece kidney grille in aluminum satin finish highlighted by the sleeker dual-LED headlights. Even those bumper vents below the fog lamps also received noticeable changes in appearance. Gone is the segment’s typical taillight design at the rear end and is replaced with slender ones complemented with the tailgate’s curvy profiles. The flanks, meantime, highlight precise character lines denoting the vehicle’s striking shoulders. As for the wheels, the sole variant comes with 20-inch V-spoke design light-alloy as standard.
Inside, the instrument panel has been redesigned along with the control display (head unit). Both with bigger 12.3-inch screens, it now run on a newBMW Operating System 7.0 display and control concept. With the use of multimodal interaction, it allows the driver to utilize the steering wheel buttons, iDrive Controller, touchscreen display, voice or gesture control, whichever they prefer. As for the new and comfy seats, it features the new Vernasca variant leather upholstery. Other new features designed to maximize convenience on board include cooled/heated cup holders, ambient lights, and Harman Kardon sound system. Moreover, folding the 40:20:40 split rear seats increase boot capacity from 650 to1,860 liters of maximum space.
Under the hood is a 3.0-liter, in-line six-cylinder diesel engine fitted with the award-winning BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. It dishes out 265 hp at 4,000 rpm and a staggering 620 N-m of maximum torque from 2,000 to 2,500 rpm range. Mated to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission, power is transferred to all four wheels via the xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. According to BMW, 0 to 100 km/h sprint can be achieved in just 6.5 seconds.
The all-new X5 xDrive30d xLine is priced at P5.990 million. The best part is, it comes with a five-year warranty (BMW Repair Inclusive)—a first in the premium automotive segment. The BMW Repair Inclusive includes repairs that are completed at authorized BMW facilities using only original BMW parts.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino