Manufacturer BMW Body style 5-door SUV | Production 1999–present | |
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Class Mid-size luxury crossover SUV Layout Front-engine, four-wheel-drive | ||
The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by BMW. The first generation of the X5, with the chassis code E53, made its debut in 1999. It was BMW's first SUV and it also featured all-wheel drive and was available with either manual or automatic transmission. In 2006, the second generation X5 was launched, known internally as the E70, featuring the torque-split capable xDrive all-wheel drive system mated to an automatic transmission, and in 2009 the X5 M performance variant was released as a 2010 model.
Contents
- First generation E53 19992006
- Second generation E70 20062013
- Third generation F15 2013present
- X5 M Models
- References
BMW branded the X5 as a Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) rather than an SUV, to emphasize its on-road ability despite its size. Like the Lexus RX 300, the X5 heralded the shift from light truck-based body-on-frame SUVs to crossovers underpinned by unibody car platforms that would come to fruition in the late 2000s. Among German luxury automakers, while the Mercedes-Benz M-Class had beaten the X5 to the market by a year, the X5 was the first to use a unibody chassis whereas the M-Class used a light truck platform until its second generation. While the Lexus RX is based on the Toyota Camry mass market sedan, the X5 shares its underpinnings with the BMW 5 Series performance luxury sedan.
X5s are manufactured in Greer, South Carolina at the Spartanburg BMW plant and modified for armoured, security versions in Mexico at the BMW de México Toluca plant. Since July 2009, some assembly operations are also performed in Kaliningrad, Russia by Avtotor. Since February 2015, BMW India started local production of X5 in its Chennai plant.
Starting with the X5, BMW's Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) series has since expanded to be derivatives of other BMW number-series models, first in 2003 with the BMW X3 compact luxury crossover, and then in 2008 with the BMW X6 midsize coupe luxury crossover which shares its platform with the X5.
First generation (E53; 1999–2006)
The BMW E53 X5 crossover vehicle was manufactured between 1999 and 2006. The E53 was developed at a time when BMW owned Land Rover and benefitted from Land Rover technology. It shared components with the Land Rover Range Rover HSE model; specifically the Hill Descent System and Off Road Engine Management system and also the BMW E39 5-series; specifically the engine and electronic system. The entire in car entertainment system (Radio Function, Navigation System, Television and Telecommunications systems, and a very flexible automotive computer system) are identical. As a result, the earlier X5 models can be upgraded with newer BMW technologies (e.g. Bluetooth phone connectivity).
A range of petrol (gasoline) inline-6s, V8s and diesel engines are offered.
A facelifted version was released for the 2004 model year, production started in late 2003.
Second generation (E70; 2006–2013)
The BMW E70 is the second generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). It replaced the BMW X5 (E53) in November 2006. The second generation X5 features many new technological advancements including BMW's iDrive system as standard equipment and, for the first time in a BMW, an optional third row seat raising passenger capacity to seven.
The branding for the X5 from late 2008 onwards follows the new BMW nomenclature scheme, for example the X5 3.0si is now called the X5 xDrive30i, and the X5 4.8i is called the X5 xDrive48i.
In 2009, the xDrive35d diesel engine variant of the X5 was made available for sale in Canada and the United States, along with the BMW 335d sedan.
The BMW X5 M high performance variant was introduced to the press at the New York Auto Show in April 2009, and started appearing in BMW dealerships in September 2009 as a 2010 model. Sharing the same powertrain as the BMW X6 M, the X5 M features the first M Power V-8 Turbo, 555 hp (414 kW) and 500 lb·ft (680 N·m) of torque, and comes with M Dynamic Performance Control for impressive handling.
The X5 received a mid-generational refresh for the 2011 model year featuring new front bumper and air intakes as well as a variety of minor cosmetic changes. For the gasoline-powered X5 models, the naturally aspirated engines in the xDrive30i and xDrive48i (N52 straight-6 and N62 V8) were replaced by turbocharged engines (N55 single-turbo straight-6, N63 twin-turbo V8) and which will also be mated to 8-speed automatic transmissions, being rebadged as the xDrive35i and xDrive50i, respectively. The xDrive35d received the same exterior changes as the rest of the lineup but otherwise no other updates.
For the 2011 model year, the BMW X5 (E70) was BMW's 3rd best-selling model after the first place BMW 3 Series (E90) and BMW 5 Series (F10), respectively.
Third generation (F15; 2013–present)
The BMW F15 is the third generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), unveiled on 30 May 2013 and launched in November 2013.
The new model is using same chassis with same wheelbase of previous generation and it is launched with an initial choice of three engines: a 450 hp V8 petrol engine (xDrive50i) and two six-cylinder in-line diesel units, producing 258 hp with two turbos (xDrive30d) and 381 hp with three turbos (M50d M Performance), respectively. In December 2013, further engine options will become available: xDrive40d, xDrive35i and, for the first time on the X5 model, two four-cylinder engines xDrive25d and sDrive25d (with two-wheel transmission).
As with the previous model, it is assembled at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, United States.
X5 M Models
The BMW X5 M is a high-performance derivative of the X5. The following generations of the X5 M have been produced: