(BMW press release)

THE BMW X5 - A SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLE
Making its UK debut at the London Motor Show (October 21-31) will be a new type of BMW and a new category of 4x4 - the BMW X5. This is not, in American parlance, a Sports Utility Vehicle but rather a Sports Activity Vehicle or SAV. BMW has made this distinction in terminology to distinguish X5 from the wide variety of 4x4 vehicles available on the UK market today.

But why is it different? Kevin Gaskell, Managing Director of BMW (GB), provides the answer, "Imagine drawing a straight line with a vehicle at each pole, let us say an extreme off roader to the left, Land Rover Defender would be the best example, and a family estate car to the right. Most 4x4's currently available lie between the centre line and the off road pole."

"In other words to a greater or lesser extent, most have been designed first and foremost to mudplug. The further to the left they lie, the more compromises are made for road driving." "X5 lies very close to the extreme right, in the sense that it has the driving dynamics of a BMW car. This distinguishes the X5 from every 4x4 currently available and it explains why we call it a Sports Activity Vehicle and why we believe the X5 is entering an altogether new segment of the 4x4 market."

X5 Highlights at a glance

• UK launch in Autumn 2000 (European launch in Spring 2000)
• One model available initially - X5 4.4i with 4.4 litre V8 engine, 286 bhp and 440 Nm (324 lb ft) of torque
• 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds, maximum speed 129 mph
• Laps Nurburgring in just 9 minutes 30 seconds (M3 takes 9 mins.)
• Five-speed Steptronic automatic transmission
• Straight six petrol and diesel engines to follow in 2001
• DSCIII, CBC, ADB-X and HDC electronic driving stability aids are all standard
• Independent, electronically controlled, self-levelling pneumatic suspension
• Monocoque construction
• Length 4667mm, width 1872mm, height 1707mm
• Luggage capacity 465 - 1550 litres, up to 555 kg in weight
• Split rear tailgate
• Small turning circle - 12.1 m
• Up to 10 airbags - 6 as standard/4 rear optional
• ISOFIX child seat fastenings
• Top marks in US, European and Japanese crash tests

Body dimensions and design
The X5 is a compact vehicle, shorter than a 5 Series Touring (-138 mm) yet taller (+272mm) and wider (+72mm). Its high seating position provides the commanding road view so valued by 4x4 drivers, yet its styling is more like that of a car. The short overhangs, 17-19 inch wheels and muscular body architecture give it a distinctive yet familiar BMW character. The body is of unitary construction to deliver excellent rigidity, crash impact absorption and outstanding road driving characteristics. BMW claim that the X5 is more car-like to drive than any other 4x4 and it boasts the dynamic behaviour of a sports saloon.

Stump-pulling power and torque
The single model available at launch will be the flagship X5 4.4i, which shares a V8 engine with the 540i and 740i models. Maximum power is 286 bhp, developed at 5400 rpm and, most importantly, 440 Nm (324 lb ft) of torque at just 3600 rpm. Tremendous pulling power is available right through the rev range - something which is vital for a vehicle which needs to perform on tough terrain and carrying heavy loads (see power and torque curve attached).

The emphasis is on the X5's performance on tarmac and the figures here speak for themselves. Top speed is 129 mph and 62 mph can be reached from standstill in just 7.5 seconds - and this in a car which weighs just over two tonnes. Thanks to its aerodynamic shape - the X5 has a drag coefficient of 0.36, which is remarkably low for a 4x4 - the 4.4i is a fuel-efficient vehicle. On the extra urban cycle it returns 25.4 mpg and delivers a combined figure of 20.3 mpg. With its fuel tank capacity of 92 litres (20.2 gallons) this gives it a range of over 400 miles. The V8 model will be followed by straight six cylinder petrol and diesel models, which will be available in the UK during 2001.

Drivetrain and chassis
Transmitting all this power and torque to a wide variety of different surfaces in safety is a challenge - but a whole raft of electronic driving stability aids are fitted to this vehicle to address this. The X5 has permanent four wheel drive with a torque split of 38/62 front to rear and the weight distribution, like all BMWs, is almost perfectly balanced 50:50.

Handling the power
There are no reduction gears on the X5 because this would compromise refinement on the road and are only of benefit in extreme off road conditions. This type of driving was never considered as part of the concept for X5, but it has been designed to perform superbly on milder off-road terrain.

In addition to anti-lock brakes, the X5 has Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and the third generation of BMW's Dynamic Stability Control system (DSCIII). CBC significantly reduces the risk of a spin if the driver is forced to brake in mid bend and DSCIII is a highly sophisticated traction control system, monitoring the relative speeds of individual wheels at all times.

Working in harmony with these systems are the Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), which applies brake force to individual wheels to stop them spinning, while applying more power to those with better grip. In effect, it recreates, electronically, the same effect as a mechanical differential lock.

Hill Descent Control (HDC) is engaged by the driver at the top of a steep descent. The system automatically uses a mixture of engine braking and brake applications to hold a constant low speed. HDC and ADB-X are appearing for the first time on a BMW. All X5 4.4i models come with a five speed Steptronic automatic transmission which includes a function which recognises lateral cornering forces to prevent an upshift, when accelerating out of a bend.

Suspension
The BMW X5 4.4i comes as standard with electronically controlled self-levelling suspension, featuring fully-supporting, pneumatic springs. Pneumatic springs have two advantages. First, the vehicle's ground clearance remains virtually unchanged regardless of the load it is carrying. Second, spring comfort is always excellent, whatever the road and driving conditions.

To reduce unsprung weight, the pneumatic spring piston is made of plastic. A compressor driven by an electric motor supplies the system with compressed air. To keep the body at the same ride height, two sensors measure the deflection of the two rear axle swinging arms. A particularly compact rear spring design helps to maximise rear luggage space, minimising the problem from which many other 4x4s suffer, of spring and damper housing intrusion.

Passive safety
The BMW X5 sets new standards of passive safety. It has achieved top marks in the European, US and Japanese NCAP tests. In a frontal collision against a solid barrier at 35mph, the X5 achieved maximum points in the US-NCAP tests on the driver's side, whilst in the Japanese test it received the AAA rating, the best possible. In the Euro-NCAP and US-IIHS 40mph front overlap tests, one of the most difficult to meet, the X5 achieved four stars and "Good" for the driver - the best marks possible.

In addition to the integrity of the body in crash situations, the comfortable interior also provides occupant safety with up to 10 airbags - two front, two side and two ITS head airbags for the front passengers as standard and the option for rear passengers of both side and head airbags. All five seatbelts are three-point inertia reel units, with pyrotechnic latch tensioners and child seats can be anchored to the interior structure of the car using the new ISOFIX system.

X5 in the UK
Prices and specifications have not yet been established for the X5 in the UK - the right hand drive launch will be in the Autumn of 2000. "We have a great opportunity with the X5 in the UK." said Kevin Gaskell, Managing Director of BMW (GB). "Although it is natural to target the existing 4x4 market, I think with the combination of features that the X5 offers, we will surprise a few competitors with our challenge to their estate cars."