BMW ups X5 price of entry to $99,900

BMW’S third-generation X5 will cop a near-$8000 price increase over the outgoing base model when it arrives in Australian showrooms in mid-November.

The German brand’s local arm today announced the local line-up will mimic the European range and consist of just three variants, for now, with more to be added next year.

The third-generation model kicks off with the range-opening xDrive 30d from $99,900 plus on-roads, a $7655 increase over the superseded version that currently retails for $92,245.

BMW Group Australia product communications manager Scott Croaker attributed this to the boost in equipment over the X5's predecessor, with a number of features previously only available as part of a $9000 Innovation Pack and other one-off options now standard.

The increase places it above the entry level 3.0-litre diesel Audi Q7 ($90,000), while an equivalently placed Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel retails for $101,400. However, the base ML250 can be had for a lower $82,900.

Other price adjustments are minor, with the new xDrive 50i shedding $245 for a new starting price of $133,900, while the flagship M50d cops a $755 increase to $147,900.

Mr Croaker confirmed that an entry-level rear-wheel-drive sDrive25d and all-wheel drive xDrive25d variant are still being considered for the Australian market.

“This is still on the table in terms of viability for our market, and we will know a bit more later this year,” he said.

“The engine variant itself is under very serious consideration and the two-wheel-drive variant is also being considered very closely for our market.

There is no real precedent for a vehicle of that type in this country, so we have got to really assess the business case for bringing that in.” Mr Croaker confirmed the line-up would expand with the petrol xDrive 35i and diesel xDrive 40d launching locally in the second quarter of next year, and while unable to comment on pricing, he said any change would “be in favour of additional value”.

BMW said it had increased the specification levels across the range, starting with the xDrive 30d that will be more generously equipped than the outgoing model.

The 30d now includes 19-inch wheels as standard, along with bi-Xenon headlights, LED front fog-lights, and anti-dazzle interior and external mirrors.

The Driver Assistant package with lane departure, forward collision and pedestrian warning, a reversing camera and 360-degree surround-view round out the standard safety features.

In base guise, the cabin includes a more premium sat-nav system with voice control, an automatic tailgate, electric front seats, a hi-fi loud speaker system and internet functionality as standard.

Moving up to the xDrive 50i adds larger 20-inch wheels, the new Design Pure Excellence exterior package and standard metallic paint, while the interior is distinguished from the base model with ceramic surrounds for the controls and a leather instrument panel.

Adaptive LED headlights, LED foglights, head-up display, DAB+ digital radio and BMW's Driving Assistance Package that includes adaptive cruise control make up the standard features list of the 50i.

The top-spec M50d includes many of the features from the 50i, as well as a new 'dynamic' adaptive suspension package which BMW says combines with the 'M' suspension to improve ride and handling and boost performance.

BMW Group Australia managing director Phil Horton said the X5 set the benchmark for luxury SUVs when it launched in 2000 and the new-generation model looks set to continue its success in Australia.

“Today, sales are stronger than ever and we continue to outsell all other competitors,” he said. “This lead will only increase when the new BMW X5 arrives in November. With new styling, future forward technology and a host of new features, the new BMW X5 is a more refined and sophisticated experience.”

As previously reported, BMW has improved each of the X5's drivetrains for better fuel economy and improved performance, with the 30d's 3.0-litre straight six turbo-diesel benefiting from a 10 per cent boost in power to 190kW and an extra 20Nm of torque for 560Nm.

This is enough to push the 30d from standing start to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, 0.7 seconds quicker then the outgoing model, while fuel economy has improved by 1.2-litres for an official European figure of 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 4.4-litre petrol V8 in the xDrive50i is 10 per cent more powerful than the current model, pumping out 330kW/650Nm, while fuel use is down by 16 per cent to 10.4L/100km.

BMW has added a second turbocharger to the 3.0-litre diesel engine in the M50d but maintains the outgoing model’s figures of 280kW/740Nm. Fuel use is down by 0.1L/100km to 6.7L/100 while the 0-100km/h sprint is 0.1 seconds quicker at 5.3 seconds.

Each engine is matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the xDrive 50i and M50d variants gaining a fast-shifting sports version of the same unit.

2013 BMW X5 pricing*

xDrive 30d (a)	$99,900
xDrive 50i (a)	$133,900
M50d	$147,900

*Excludes on-road costs.