By
EWAN KENNEDY in Athens
13 November 2006
BMW wanted its new model X5 to be significantly larger than
the old, yet it didn’t want it to look overly large. That was chiefly
to offer the option of seven seats for the first time. Buyers in the USA
like to be able to carry plenty of passengers – and something like 40
per cent of sales are in that country.
As is common with seven-seat vehicles of this size, the
rearmost pair of seats in the BMW is really only intended for children.
Adults could be carried in an emergency but would be pretty cramped.
Still, given the choice of being squeezed into the back or left behind
altogether…
The X5's second row of three seats slides backwards and
forwards to juggle legroom with those in the rear seats. There's also
the ability to recline the centre row seats. Set them to maximum legroom
and tilt them back a few degrees and they give spacious comfort that
exceeds that of most large sedans.
The back seats can be folded completely flat into the
floor individually. With both down you are hard pressed to distinguish
it from a conventional five-seater. With all seats in use luggage space
does become scarce. Only about 200 litres, or roughly the same as the
boot of the smallest of hatchbacks. Fold the centre-row seats flat and
luggage space increases to an impressive 620 litres.
But enough of the talk of the BMW X5 as a mover of
people and their goods, because this remains primarily a sports utility
vehicle, with a big emphasis on ‘sports’. Performance, both in a
straight line and around bends, blends with interior comfort, refinement
and the ability to carry occupants swiftly and safely over large
distances.
This BMW is principally intended for on-road use. But
with the security of all-wheel traction to enable owners to explore
interesting back roads that carry little traffic and offer potential
seclusion for a quiet picnic, bushwalking or whatever.
Despite the increased size, the X5's designers were also
keen to keep its weight as close as possible to that of the original.
And thus avoid increases in fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. That
was a remarkably difficult task, but they came close to perfection in
producing a vehicle only 30 kilograms heavier than the one it replaced.
That was achieved by not only using lightweight
materials such as aluminium in selected locations, but also detailed
design work to gain the maximum strength from a minimum materials.
BMW X5's styling works well, even more so than might be
immediately obvious in photographs. There's a clear similarity to that
of the original highly successful shape, but with a bolder look than
before. In particular note the use of a very large ‘kidney grille’
and the multiple bonnet bulges.
Our initial test-driving was done in the vicinity of
Athens, with some wonderful driving roads around the Aegean Sea. We also
made a detour into the desolate hills in the vicinity of Marathon where
we did some reasonably serious four-wheel driving on slippery, skinny,
slightly scary road that demanded the X5 keep its feet to avoid us
toppling down steep slopes.
Off-road the ride in the diesel we tested was firmer in
its suspension than anticipated. However, that can be forgiven to gain
the on-road composure we so much enjoyed. In any case the firmness on
the bumpy stuff wasn’t all that bad provided we weren’t over
ambitious in our speed. And who goes exploring interesting new territory
at high speed in the first place?
An even more sophisticated suspension called Adaptive
Drive wasn’t tested at this time. It alters damper settings on the
move and would probably have tamed most of the bumps we experienced with
the standard suspension. Adaptive Drive is likely to be offered on the
upmarket variants when the BMW X5 comes to Australia, and may be an
extra-cost option on others in the range.
On-road BMW X5 is almost sedan-like in ride quality and
cornering ability. Both the 4.8-litre petrol V8 (261 kW, and 475 Nm at
3400 rpm) and 3.0-litre turbo-diesel straight-six (173 kW, and 520 Nm
between 1750 rpm and 2750 rpm) give plenty of performance, with a smooth
surge of power and torque that makes hillclimbing and overtaking almost
ridiculously simple.
BMW's new X5 comes to Australia in March 2007 to be
displayed at the Melbourne Motor Show. It goes on sale in April with the
two aforementioned engines. A third model with a 3.0-litre straight-six
petrol engine will follow a few months later. Prices and exact
specifications will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
