After 14 years in production and 1.3 million unites sold, the new 2014 BMW X5 is being renewed and re-imagined. The all new BMW X5 wears a new skin, with a new interior and several mechanical upgrades. BMW is calling the new BMW X5 an all new vehicle. The BMW X5 is a supremely important product for BMW as it is one of their most popular vehicles, especially in the United States.
Weight has been reduced by between 170 and 230 lbs (depending on the model) and seven passenger seating is available. The base engine is a 300 horsepower, six-cylinder with a twin-scroll turbocharger that makes 300 lbs-feet of torque. BMW says it will go from 0 to 62 mph in 6.2-seconds, an improvement of .2 seconds. It breaths better and is more efficient than the previous model.
The 445 hp, 4.4-liter, TwinPower/dual-turbocharged V8 makes 480 lb-ft of torque from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. That’s a juicy power-band to be sure. BMW says its 0 to 60 time is 4.9-seconds – a 0.4 improvement over the previous model. This new V8 will be more efficient and greener than the old V8.
BMW’s diesel tech finds its way into the new BMW X5 with a six-cylinder diesel that produces 255 hp and an impressive 413 lb-ft of torque. BMW says its 0 to 62 mph time is about 6.9 seconds.
Every new BMX X5 will be harnessed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. It will have multiple settings and will allow for much more efficient driving working with the engine management system: ” In ECO PRO mode, the engine management, accelerator response and transmission characteristics are systematically tailored to support a particularly fuel-efficient, low-rpm driving style. At the same time, ECO PRO mode also programs electrically powered functions like the climate control, heated seats and heated exterior mirrors for extra-efficient energy management.”
“In ECO PRO mode, a coasting function periodically decouples the engine from the rest of the powertrain whenever the driver eases off the accelerator at speeds between 30 – 100 mph without then applying the brakes. This allows the new BMW X5 to coast without engine braking, for maximized fuel efficiency. In conjunction with the standard Navigation system, highly fuel-efficient ECO PRO navigation routes can be selected. When the navigation system is activated, the Proactive Driving Assistant function also tells the driver exactly when to ease off the accelerator when approaching corners or a speed-restricted section of road, in order to save fuel.” – – BMW Media
Aside from new 19 and 20-inch wheels, the exterior of the new BMW X5 has had a sophisticated upgrade. Exterior lines are more cohesive, more pronounced and bolder than before. The entire package gives the new BMW X5 visual heft.
“The new BMW X5 has a broad-set kidney grille that extends all the way to the headlight clusters, which extend from the kidney grille all the way into the front fenders. The hallmark four round headlights are trimmed by LED accent rings. To provide a new look, the light rings are flattened along the bottom edge and overlapped at their top edge. Sweeping chrome inserts and the prominently three-dimensional design of the lights underline the car’s sophisticated character. LED front foglamps are standard. The optional Adaptive LED Headlights are identified by the horizontal light sources in the center of the light rings. All X5 models are equipped with standard Adaptive Xenon headlights.” – – BMW Media
Nappa and Dakota leather surfaces are offered on the new BMW X5. The interior looks to be opened up and given a healthy dose of wood. Multicolored interiors and a completely new IP are welcome updates too. “For the US market, the standard BMW Navigation system, with touchpad, includes a freestanding 10.2-inch Control Display Monitor. The displays for the climate control and ventilation systems feature black panel technology.”
“The Dakota leather seat surfaces are standard on the X5 xDrive50i and can be specified as an option on six-cylinder models. Exclusive Nappa leather with extended features can be specified as part of the Interior Design Packages. Customers can choose from up to eight upholstery colors.” – – BMW Media
There are several changes that are noteworthy for the all new BMW X5, but until we sample one, we can only give a condensed description. Roman and I look forward to driving the new BMW X5 as he used to own one and I nearly bought one… in other words – we’re fans of the old one.
Check out this video with Roman as he reviews the current 2013 BMW X5.
I hope the new BMW X5’s eight-speed automatic transmission is easier to use than the transmission in the current M6!
