BMW is set to introduce a sub-$100,000 version of its X5 SUV from October, contrary to recent remarks made by the car-maker’s Australian boss.
A new entry-level version of BMW’s X5 has been revealed in Europe, known as the xDrive 25d. The newcomer does away with the 30d’s 195kW/620Nm inline six-cylinder engine for a 2.0-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder offering 170kW and 450Nm.
The oiler is mated to a familiar eight-speed automatic transmission and sends drive to all four-wheels, offering a claimed fuel average of 6.2L/100km combined.
BMW Australia boss Vikram Pawah recently told Australian journalists there was no need to introduce a more affordable version of the X5.
His comments came in light of the forthcoming X7’s arrival, which is only $7000 more expensive than the X5 and has already coerced other manufacturers to reassess their pricing as a result.
“Do people buy a price or do they buy a product, and I think X7 and X5 are totally different product characters,” Vikram argued.
“I’ll leave my competition to do what they want to do,” he added when it was suggested the X5 would soon be undercut on price. “Let’s see when that happens, let’s cross that bridge when it happens.”
It’s understood the X5 xDrive25d has been slated for the fourth quarter of 2019, with every chance its price point will be set about $100,000 – a circa $12,000 saving on the current xDrive30d entry model.
The previous generation X5 was anchored by an sDrive25d model, which started at $93,900 (plus on-road costs), albeit in two-wheel drive form.
Whether the newcomer receives the full gamut of technology and safety features of the 30d remains to be seen.