New BMW X5 promises to be 'the boss'

The nickname of the all-new G05-series BMW X5 says it all — ‘The Boss’.

And via the new large SUV’s blend of smarter tech, higher levels of fit, finish and features, BMW is looking to reclaim lost ground in the global large SUV marketplace.

Fresh from signing off the most recent variants of the 5 and 6 Series ranges, 39-year BMW veteran and BMW X5 program manager, Johann Kistler, introduced motoring.com.au to the new vehicle during an exclusive sneak-peak ride-along of the all-new BMW X7 last month.

“It's really a great pleasure for me to introduce ‘The Boss’,” he said.

“We started with the X5 in 1999… It was the founder of really a huge and successful segment…Until now it has sold more than two million… And now ‘The Boss’ comes again.”

Indeed, it’s been almost 20 years since the first-generation BMW ‘SAV’ [sports activity vehicle] debuted. That E53-series X5 quickly became a default choice in the prestige SUV segment.

But as new generations of the BMW X5 emerged, the Bavarians’ advantage eroded. The most recent generation F15-series BMW X5 was perhaps the least convincing of all.

The new BMW X5 appears to have the foundations to change that.

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Designed and built alongside the new BMW X7 in Spartanburg, South Carolina (USA), the new BMW X5 shares a substantial amount of its design, construction, hard points and tech suite with its longer, seven-seat flagship.

That means it’s effectively an all-new vehicle based on the company’s new CLAR architecture.

There are varying technology and autonomy bonuses that come as part of that new shared architecture but, most importantly of all, it means the fourth-generation X5 will be able to be built in petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and pure battery electric variants over its expected lifespan.

And it’s likely all of those variants will come Down Under — eventually.

It’s boss in terms of size. Indeed, the new BMW X5 is substantially bigger than the car it replaces and positively dwarfs the original.

The wheelbase has been stretched by 42mm (now 2975mm) and, at 4922mm overall, the vehicle is now 36mm longer that the F15. Width is up by 66mm (now 2004) and there’s been a 19mm increase in height (1745mm).

Key dimensions are shared with the X7 – we think. BMW is yet to confirm the actual measurements of the new three-row flagship.

Given, however, that the interior and front two rows appear totally interchangeable between X7 and X5, we’d expect that the only changes will be precipitated by a wheelbase stretch.

While the X7 will come with seven seats, the X5's third row will continue to be optional and the middle rows on both SUVs will feature push-button folding.

The big twin 12.3-inch touch-screens that take pride of place in the X7’s cockpit are also the centrepiece of the BMW X5’s cabin. iDrive 7.0 infotainment is standard and Australian models will feature a full suite of active driver safety aids.

Dubbed Driving Assistant Professional, the armoury includes traffic jam and lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic warning, autonomous emergency braking and auto parking.

In Europe, its new emergency stopping system will brake the car automatically and steer it to the side of the road (using its blind-spot detection systems to find clear, safe gaps in the traffic) before coming to a stop with its hazard lights on and calling emergency services.

New interior options will include four-zone climate control, heated armrests, cup-holders that can be either cooled or heated, a 23-per cent larger panorama glass roof and 10.2-inch rear-seat entertainment screens.

There’s also a bigger head-up display and a new, optional Live Cockpit Professional dash system, which takes the iDrive concept even further with full digital instrumentation (like you can get on a Volkswagen Polo...).

Underneath, controlling all the mass, there will be electronically controlled dampers as standard equipment for the first time, while the optional air suspension (now on both axles, like the X7) will deliver 80mm of height range.

It will follow Audi’s Q7 with some of the hardware options, including integral active steering and active roll stabilisation (thanks to electronically operated anti-roll bars).

You’ll also be able to option up to rear-wheel steering, an improved Off-Road Package (now with rear diff lock and underbody protection) and, on some models, laser adaptive headlights a-la the i8.

Befitting the X5’s new role as boss of the Euro SUV set, however, is the fact that perhaps the ‘trickest’ options offered will be in the luggage area. BMW will offer an ‘active’ anti-slip rail option as well as an electric rollover luggage cover that emerges from under the floor to secure your goodies from prying eyes.

It will no doubt be eye-wateringly expensive, but should impress others on the school run no end.

A 40:20:40-split folding rear seat will be standard equipment in the new X5. BMW claims increased boot capacity at 645 litres (bumping up to 1860 with seat folded), but is yet to confirm the inclusion of a full-size or space-saver spare for Aussie deliveries.

It will retain the X5’s signature two-piece split tailgate and two trim lines will be offered across the X5 line-up: xLine and M Sport.

Meantime, SUV buyers who tow will be pleased to hear BMW Australia is confident it will be able to offer a ‘proper’ two-inch hitch receiver and decent tow ball down-weight and overall towing ratings.

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All all-wheel drive, for now

While no rear-drive X7 will be offered, Kistler told motoring.com.au the new G05 BMW X5 range will eventually stretch to rear-drive versions. Four-cylinder engines are also on the horizon, he said.

Initially, however, all G05-series X5s will feature an eight-speed auto and rear-biassed all-wheel drive.

Under the bonnet, engine choices will kick-off with inline six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines and, of course, a fettled petrol twin-turbo V8 in the inevitable X5 M hotshoe.

There’s no word yet whether we will get the flagship new V8 engine in the xDrive 50i, which delivers 340kW of power over 5200-6000rpm and 650Nm of torque over 1500-4750rpm. That's enough hurl the X5 to 100km/h in a claimed 4.7 seconds on its way to a limited 250km/h top speed.

BMW claims it will consume 11.6L/100km and emit 264g/km of CO2, which is BMW won't make it available in Europe.

Instead, the petrol motors in BMW’s 'home' market will be headlined by the xDrive 40i, with a 250kW/450Nm version of its turbocharged inline petrol six sending it to 100km/h in 5.5sec and consuming 8.5L/100km.

It’s also the lightest X5, at 2060kg, while the 2286kg V8 version is even heavier than the 50d.

There will only be two diesel motors for the X5 from launch, though others are expected to follow, including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit.

The junior of the oil-squashers will be the xDrive 30d, with 195kW/620Nm from its 3.0-litre inline-six turbo-diesel. It hits 100km/h in a claimed 6.5sec and reaches up to 230km/h, but does it all with just 6.0L/100km fuel consumption (on the smallest 17-inch rubber).

Perhaps the most exciting of the engine options is a twin sequential turbo (yes, that’s four turbos!) 3.0-litre turbo-diesel featured in the X5 M50d.

This engine pumps out 294kW and a huge 760Nm for a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 5.2sec, fuel consumption of only 6.8L/100km (NEDC) and a top speed (unrestricted) that’s rumoured to approach 280km/h! Boss indeed.

Wheels sizes are up, with some variants likely to arrive standard with 22-inch hoops!

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Fresh face

The new BMW X5’s styling doesn’t hold back. It’s imposing but clearly an evolution of the established recipe.

Technology is cleverly integrated – the brightwork on that big twin kidney grille, for instance, conceals active louvres that help reduce aerodynamic drag.

Kistler told motoring.com.au the new vehicle shares no panels with the outgoing F15-series X5. Save for door skins, it appears the X7 has bespoke panel work too.

“A powerfully sculpted bonnet, a short front overhang, lightly hexagonal wheel arches and the dynamic sweep of the roofline provide further references to the sporty yet rugged character of the new X5,” BMW states in its pre-release details.

“The BMW X5 embodies the origins of the BMW X family and, in its fourth generation, sends out its most powerful message yet in terms of presence and modernity,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President of BMW Group Design.

“It defines a new X design language – robust, clear and precise,” van Hooydonk stated.

With two million sold around the world, the South Carolina-built X5 has become one of BMW’s most bankable contributors. It still led the large premium SUV segment last year (and this year so far) in Australia, with its 3582 sales accounting 17.4 per cent of the segment.

Its closest contender remains the Range Rover Sport (14.5 per cent), with the Audi Q7 (12.9 per cent), the Mercedes-Benz GLE (11 per cent) and the Lexus RX on nine per cent.