Slicker, pricier BMW X5 nears

BMW Australia has announced hefty price increases across the board for the facelifted X5 range that hits showrooms later this month, just as it warned it would when the upgraded version of Australia’s top-selling luxury SUV was revealed at Geneva in March.

The more efficient, more powerful and more highly specified large SUV range will cost almost $5500 more than before at base level when it arrives in late June - three months after BMW’s all-new X1 compact crossover and six months before the release of the second-generation X3 mid-sizer.

Now priced above $90,000 following the axing of the current entry-level X5 xDrive30i six-cylinder petrol variant ($86,635), the more upmarket X5 line-up comes with upgraded engines from the X6, three new nameplates and a new front and rear look.

There is also an eight-speed automatic transmission, speed-dependent Servotronic steering and brake energy regeneration systems all round.

With the X1 now opening BMW’s SUV spread at $43,500 and extending to $59,280, the larger and more luxurious new X3, which will emerge globally at Paris September, is likely to also head upstream from its present price range of between $62,200 and $77,400.

As we’ve reported, the midlife makeover for the second-generation X5 brings power and economy improvements for most variants, led by the entry-level X5 xDrive30d six-cylinder turbo-diesel at $92,100.

For the extra $3559, the upgraded X5 volume-seller brings 15 per cent lower fuel consumption at 7.4L/100km (down from 8.7L/100km) and claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.6 seconds – down from 8.1 seconds – via a 20kW increase in peak power, from 160 to 180kW.

The most affordable petrol-powered model is now the new X5 xDrive35i at $103,900 (some $17,265 more than the discontinued X5 30i), powered by the same 225kW/400Nm twin-turbo direct-injection petrol six as seen in the X6, in which opens the coupe-SUV range at $117,200.

With 25kW more peak power and 85Nm more torque than the 200kW/315Nm 3.0-litre six its replaces, the X5 35i is 1.3 seconds quicker to 100km/h (6.8 versus 8.1 seconds), while consuming 1.6L/100km less fuel (10.1 versus 11.7L/100km).

At $113,300, the X5 xDrive40d Sport replaces the 35d and is $6300 more expensive, but its 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel six now offers 225kW (up 15kW) and 600Nm (up 20Nm), and accelerates to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds (down from seven seconds), yet returns 15 per cent lower fuel consumption – 7.5 versus 8.8L/100km.

Topping the revised X5 range, excluding the new X5 M mega-SUV released in January ($172,900) is the xDrive50i Sport, which at $133,400 costs $10,600 more than the 48i it replaces.

As in the X6 xDrive50i, its 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 produces 300kW and 600Nm from just 1750rpm - up 39kW and a massive 245Nm over the naturally aspirated 4.8-litre V8 in the X5 xDrive48i, but still short of the X5 M’s 408kW/680Nm version of BMW’s new force-fed direct-injection V8.

Not surprisingly, driving through eight rather than six transmission ratios, it is 1.1 seconds quicker to 100km/h than before (5.5 versus 6.6 seconds).

Unlike the rest of the 2010 X5 range, however, the X5 5.0i is less efficient than the model it replaces, returning similar average fuel consumption but increasing average CO2 emissions by six grams per kilometre.

All models feature new front and rear bumpers, new front and rear lighting, new options include Active and Adaptive Drive, and new standard driver assistance features including Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Lane Departure Warning and Side View.

A wider range of new option packs for the X5 opens with the Executive Package for the xDrive 30d, which includes a rear-view camera with Top View, interior/exterior mirrors with anti-dazzle function, power seat adjustment and Professional Navigation.

The Innovations Package is not available with the 30d but includes Comfort Access, an automatic tailgate function and a sunroof on the 35i and 40d Sport, and an alarm system and metallic paint in for the top-shelf 50i Sport.

Standard on the latter two models is the Sport Package, which adds two new alloy wheel styles, interior and exterior enhancements and, on the 50i Sport, rear suspension, while the 40d Sport comes standard with sport suspension, which can be a delete option.

Finally, the M Sport Package includes a more aggressive front bumper, V8-look exhaust outlets and 20-inch alloy wheels for all models, while sport suspension can be now be deleted from the M-look option pack.

2010 BMW X5 pricing:
Model	Price
xDrive30d (a)	$92,100 (up $3559)
xDrive35i (a)	$103,900 (up $17,265 over 30i)
xDrive40d Sport (a)	$113,300 (up $6300 over 35d)
xDrive50i Sport (a)	$133,400 (up $10,600 over 48i)