The BMW X5                        "flexibility, power & luxury..."

BMW is a serious carmaker. And, suddenly, BMW got serious about the SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle), whose form is now a dominant sight on American roads. But it wasn't enough for the Bavarian manufacturer to simply run out a few "SUVs" to satiate the market lust for high driving position, four solid wheels and a whole heap of torque, BMW had to revitalise the market with the X series. And that begins by redefinition for BMW who likes to affectionately term her new four wheel drive units "Sports Activity Vehicles", or "SAV" for short.

But BMW hasn't done bad job with the SAV: the 1999 release of the "E53" made available an accommodating range of options, at the lower end, the 170kW 3.0i and the alternative diesel edition in the 3.0d (135kW), while pushing the upper barrier with the 210kW 4.4i and the crowning glory of the 4.6is with 257kW. Both the 3 litre models equip six cylinder engines, while the 4s boast eight.

The tidy ability to zoom from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds also does little to dissuade one from the impressive appeal of the X5 (4.6is). And that appeal persists as one glances over the 20-inch alloys and peruses the twin-exhausts, subtle body kit and rear spoiler. Put simply, the SAV's staunch appearance demands attention.

BMW entry into the SUV market has been with an eye on the competition, the X5 4.6is with it's 4.6 litre 8 cylinder engine has just the grunt to ward off challenges from fellow "all wheelers" in the Mercedes ML55, Porsche Cayenne and the VW Touareg.

While the 4.6is represents the top of the range with 257kW and 480Nm of torque, many will be happy with the more modest offerings of the 4.4i and the 3.0i. Excitingly enough for diesel faithfuls, the 3.0d represents high class and performance with six cylinders, 135kW, 390Nm and 0-100km/h in 10.5 seconds. But real impressions are made with a superb fuel economy record, the diesel burning only 44% of the 4.6is' fuel liability per 100km in city conditions. The diesel's counterparts however, would be hard pressed to win any fuel economy awards, the 4.6is, just around the city, burns 21.0 litres per 100km to pull its 2.2 tonnes. The fuel load lightens up to 11.2 litres/100km on rural roads, like any other BMW, at the heart; it's a cruising vehicle.

The 4.6is is a civilized creature, a SAV who behaves and feels like the renowned 5 series, with an aesthetically styled interior and exterior to match. But a quick bout of firmness on the accelerator and you'll know that your X5 drives a hard bargain upon the road also. The throaty resonance of the 4.6 litre V8 leaves many a conventional car to repatriate it's losses in the subsequent dust cloud, and provides stiff competition for all other SUVs, whose obscurity has just been assured by the mechanical discipline of the blue and white roundel.

All this 'discipline' converts to a solid road handling experience committed to safety and driver control at all times, in addition BMW has designed its SAV to overcome many of the safety issues notorious in the SUV. SUVs have been identified as predisposed to vehicle instability and have been shown by some studies as 8 times more likely to 'roll' than the equivalent family sedan. BMW has aimed to counter such vulnerabilities in the SAV with innovative technologies directed at stability and impact management. According to BMW.com, the "monocoque bodyshell serves as the first line of defence in an impact, absorbing much more impact energy than the ladder-frame bodyshell of conventional off-road vehicles." The Inflatable Tubular Structure, codenamed "ITS" acts decisively in an impact situation to deliver unprecedented protection to passengers from a side collision. This is complemented by a state-of-the-art conventional airbag system, providing a second-to-none assurance of injury protection with front and head airbags. So with safety record equal to the name on the bonnet, the X5 isn't scared about giving guarantees of human preservation in the incidence of road accident.

Cutting it short, the BMW X5 is definitely not "just another SUV." Responsive, well-controlled power will excite your devious side while traditional BMW comforts and luxury will appease your more tasteful side.

Further Information

F or further information on the X5, check out the following articles:

  2000 BMW X5/Chicago Tribune, Jim Mateja
  2000 BMW X5/Morning Call, Larry Printz