‘The Boss’ : BMW X5 up close and personal

With luxury sport utility vehicles growing in demand at a rapid pace worldwide, fueled in particular by China’s massive appetite for all things premium, BMW, the pioneer luxury car manufacturer to offer a premium SUV, has unveiled the latest Sport Activity Vehicle X5, code-named F15.

 

Tracing its roots back to 1998, the first X5 (internally code-named E53) made waves as it was introduced to the world market as a BMW—a company with a storied heritage—promising the highly impressive on-road dynamics BMWs are known for, and yet offers increased “go anywhere” mobility afforded by its technologically advanced all-wheel drive system, coupled with its traction/stability control. The X5 made the quantum leap as it created the first true crossover premium SUV, with its underpinnings based on the highly regarded BMW 5 Series of that time. Thus, the X5 was blessed with impressive interior space, a ground-breaking level of refinement for an SUV, and precision and delicacy more akin to a sports sedan than a raised-platform SUV. No wonder BMW renamed the X5  a Sports Activity Vehicle, and, with this formula, laid the groundwork which all other manufacturers have since followed. Locally, the first-generation X5 was introduced to the market in 2002. The second-generation X5 (internally code-named E70) was also noteworthy because BMW introduced an M-variant X5M powered by a turbocharged V8 petrol engine producing  552.33 horsepower. No wonder that in two generations, sales hit 1.3 million units. This figure is set to grow even further.

 

But many competitors caught on, particularly the fellow German rivals. Never to rest on their laurels, the boys and girls from Bavaria have taken all the knowledge gleaned from almost two decades of producing the X5 and have unveiled the very latest model.

 

The all-new BMW X5 was recently launched to the local market, amid a handful of motoring journalists and select BMW VIP clients at the posh Manila Polo Club last April 29. The spec list is impressive to say the least. There are three variants available, the STANDARD, PURE EXPERIENCE and PURE EXCELLENCE models.

 

From a performance and efficiency standpoint, the all-new X5 has shed some 170 pounds from its predecessor, thanks to the  generous usage of aluminum and lightweight steel. It comes with a low 0.31 drag coefficient, an astounding figure for what is essentially a high-speed brick wall to the untrained eye, and features the Air-Curtain, first seen on BMW’s 3 Series GT. It is a vent behind the front wheels which allows air flowing through the front bumper to exit the wheel fenders past the front wheels. This seemingly esoteric piece of technology helps reduce drag as well as lift, aiding stability and increasing fuel efficiency. There’s also the Air-Blade system on the C-pillars, which help direct air away from the rear of the vehicle, and Air Breather System, which helps reduce lift and drag.

 

The xDrive30d-trimmed X5 powertrain consists of a 3-liter common-rail direct injection Twin Power twin scroll/twin turbo diesel engine producing a healthy 258 HP and a wall-climbing 560 Newton-meters of torque, thanks also to BMW’s proprietary Valvetronic variable valve timing and cam phasing. It sends power to the ground through BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, which, in conjunction with the X5’s traction and stability control, offers much-improved on- and off-road ability, without need for a traditional low-range transfer case. It’s also 1.4 kilograms lighter than the previous xDrive system, which might not seem much but these small weight savings all add up. A ZF eight-speed automatic is the transmission of choice, with paddle-shifters behind the handsome three-spoke steering wheel for manual control, handy on your favorite winding road or slogging through off-road trails.

 

Sporty as it can be

 

The X5 is also as efficient and as sporty as it can be thanks to BMW’s Efficient Dynamics and Driving Experience Control System. There are four driving modes: efficient dynamics, comfort, normal and sport modes. The steering, transmission and engine get firmer, weightier and more aggressive,  direct and precise as you step up into the three modes. And yet thanks to the clever use of electronics, there are very little pumping losses and ancillary power drain thanks to a fully electric air-conditioner compressor, which isn’t driven by the engine, as well as a fully electric water pump that allows the engine’s temperature to operate within its ideal temperature window, and the alternator which only normally engages on hard-braking or engine braking to charge the X5’s battery.

 

Another new thing  is the electric power system for the X5 further reduces drag on the engine by foregoing the old hydraulic, engine-driven pump setup. The immediate result is a free-revving diesel engine unburdened by typical belt-driven accessories and a reduction of parasitic drag which, together with the active start/stop function, improves fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. BMW rates the X5 to deliver an impressive 6.2 liters of fuel consumed for every 100 kilometers traveled. In our language, that’s a very impressive 16 kpl. The standard 19-inch wheels feature specially designed Goodyear Eagle low-rolling resistance tires to help save on fuel even further, yet sacrifice next to nothing for handling, traction and stability.

 

Inside, the X5 has grown significantly despite being very close in size exterior-wise to its predecessor. There’s a modest 5-percent increase in torsional rigidity as well. Leg-, knee- and footroom eclipse the old model noticeably, giving a further feeling of luxury. There is the rich mocha brown leather with a slightly contrasting stitching consisting of a lighter shade of brown, which matches well with the exotic metallic brown exterior. The front seats offer 12-way powered adjustment with memory settings, and the aforementioned three-spoke steering wheel adjusts for both reach and rake electronically.

 

Navigating a breeze

 

The big surprise is BMW’s all-new proprietary SatNav/GPS system with the Philippine road network, the best system so far introduced in the local market. Comparing it to systems I’ve tried abroad, it’s very much the same in terms of quality, resolution and ease of use, with the streets and major thoroughfares marked for easy reference. It’s still a beta version, as the final release will have house/building names and numbers. Combined with a new-generation iDrive which is easier to use and more intuitive, it makes navigating through Metro Manila traffic a breeze. Viewed through a large 10.2-inch screen, the display also shows the rear when backing up, making the X5 easier to maneuver into tight spaces. There’s also park distance control to ensure you don’t prang that gorgeous bum.

 

Despite the sporting ethos all BMWs carry, the X5 is a very practical load-lugger: There’s a massive 1,870 liters of cargo space with the rear seats down, and 650 liters with the rear seats up. The rear seats also split-fold 40/20/40, and it has a split tailgate that can now be opened from the comfort access remote key fob.

 

It’s also very safe: BMW provides dual front and front-side airbags, and curtain airbags for a total of six on all models of the X5 worldwide. You get the aforementioned dynamic traction and stability control systems which, aside from keeping you on terra firma, also quells under- or oversteer situations on the road. There are  also ABS-EBD-equipped brakes with brake assist and antiwhiplash headrests. LED corona rings are more prominent, assisted by HID headlamps, foglamps and a rear foglamp, handy when driving through bad weather conditions.

 

Effortlessly powerful

 

Crucially, how is the all-new X5 to drive? In short,  effortlessly powerful. Previous X5s shared the well-weighted, almost heavy-handed feeling a sports sedan requires should you press on hard at 10/10 driving. But in an SUV, which is designed to be a more relaxed drive, it can be a little too much at times. The steering feels lighter, the suspension doesn’t have that heavy-damped feeling, and the brake and accelerator pedals feel light and easy. But despite the reduction in heft and effort, there’s a chassis brimming with feel, the weight replaced by a delicacy new to BMWs, even in bumper-to-bumper traffic driving. The throttle is very responsive but smooth; the lurch you get from a powerful diesel engine coupled with a traditional torque-converted equipped automatic is gone, replaced by immediate yet refined throttle response.

 

On the open road, the X5 feels like a cloud hovering on top of the road, regardless of surface quality. It soaks up all the bumps easily, eliminates all kickback through the steering and suspension, which gives me confidence to press on harder, faster. On a de-restricted stretch of road, 230 kph should be easy.

 

Flick through the paddles, engage sport mode, and the X5’s character is enhanced: It feels ready for all but the tightest, sharpest of curves and long uphill assaults. It feels much lighter than its published 2.4-ton weight, the engineers at BMW employing witchcraft to tune the suspension to deliver impressive responsiveness, body control, excellent handling dynamics as well as a relaxed, comfortable yet composed ride.

 

Is it the best-balanced, most well-rounded, most well-equipped and efficient premium crossover SUV on the market? You bet!