Giannis
Staff member
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Following yesterday's leaked image, comes the official release of the new BMW X5, with the codename F15. A thorough evolution of the previous generation's design is what characterizes the new X5, with it's front adopting the corporate fascia introduced with the F30 3 series - the headlights meeting the kidney grill, and the F01 7 series facelift - the traditional corona rings now having a flat bottom. The rear is resembling heavily the current X1 and X3, yet the details are executed differently. Still the L-shaped big taillights are there, above the quite visible shutline of the two piece tailgate. The side profile reminds heavily the outgoing generation, yet many details like the rocker panels with chrome inserts and the air vent on the front fenders differentiate the E70 from the F15 X5.
Production of the new BMW X5 begins in August 2013 (December 2013 for the xDrive35d - being the only exception) so that it arrives in showrooms in October, exclusively in BMW's Spartanburg plant in SC, USA. The identical wheelbase and track width of the E70 and F15 X5 could suggest that the platform (modified F10 5 series chassis) remains the same, yet the suspension setups are vastly different (thanks to our member EnI for the tip):
Front axle:
...E70: Double-wishbone axle, small steering roll radius, anti-dive
...F15: Double track control arm with double joint principle, small (negative) steering roll radius, anti-dive
Rear axle:
...E70: Integral-IV multi-arm axle, anti-squat and anti-dive, optional air suspension with automatic self-levelling
...F15: Integral-IV rear axle, spatial suspension with anti-squat and anti-dive, optional air suspension with automatic self-levelling
The engines are carried over from the current generation X5. In the beginning, the X5 will be available with two gasoline engines, the familiar N55 6 cylinder 3.0l turbocharged engine with 300hp and the N63Tu V8 4.4l turbocharged engine with 445hp. A diesel variant will be available from early 2014, in the form of xDrive35d, a 3.0L TwinPower Turbo with VNT turbocharging and common rail direct injection and 255hp.
For the first time, the X5 is also available as RWD, with the sDrive35i variant. This could be a hint that BMW has shifted its focus from the European SUV market to the US one, where the typical full-size SUV also plays the role of Europe's beloved station wagons and MPV's, with interior and boot space, and sedan-like fuel consumption being as important as premium, and certainly more important than off-road capability. In other words, people in the US buy SUV's mainly for their practicality and not their off-road capabilities, and as the US is the biggest market for such vehicles, BMW has shifted the X5's focus there.
Moving to the interior, from the first official photos, the materials' quality and fit and finish seem to be very improved. The "layer-based" interior design, as BMW calls their interior design language works wonders compared to the outgoing generation, as the new X5 looks very cozy and fresh in the inside. Finally, the various equipment levels are now called Lines, like with the 1 and 3 series. The X5 can be ordered with the X-Line, the Luxury-Line or the M-Sport Line, that feature different equipment options and slightly differentiated looks. More details can be found in the official press release, after the jump.
Source: [BMW]
Wallpapers
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BMW X5 xDrive30d
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BMW X5 xDrive30d - Interior
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BMW X5 xDrive50i
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BMW X5 xDrive 50i - Interior
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BMW X5 xDrive50i and BMW X5 xDrive30d
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[youtube]
Official press release: The_new_BMW_X5
