BMW has officially unveiled the 2019 X5 following a flood of leaks. Looking instantly recognizable, the redesigned crossover has a more assertive appearance as it adopts a massive chrome grille and a sportier front bumper with large air intakes. Moving further back, the X5 adopts edgier bodywork and a distinctive character line that kicks up in the middle of the rear doors. Other notable styling features include front fender vents and slender LED taillights which eschew BMW’s familiar L-shape. The model also has a chromed dual exhaust system and a tailgate-mounted spoiler. A number of styling packages will be available and xLine variants will have matte aluminium accents, additional brightwork and 19-inch alloy wheels. The M Sport models go in a different direction as they have additional body-color components, larger air intakes, high-gloss black accents and 20-inch wheels. Overall, the X5 grows 36mm in length, 66mm in width and 19mm in height. The evolutionary styling continues in the cabin but the X5 features higher quality materials, new switchgear and updated technology. Drivers sit behind a new steering wheel and find themselves facing a digital instrument cluster.
At launch, the X5 will be offered with a total of four petrol and diesel options. Starting with the petrol units, the base engine is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six which develops 340 PS and 450 Nm of torque. It enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds before hitting a top speed of 243 km/h. Buyers looking for something more powerful can opt for the X5 xDrive50i which has a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 producing 462 PS and 650 Nm of torque. While this particular model won’t be offered in Europe, it runs from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and tops out at 250 km/h. Despite growing concerns about diesel engines, BMW is sticking with them and will offer two in the new X5. The entry-level unit is a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder developing 265 PS and 620 Nm of torque. The real standout is the performance-oriented X5 M50d which has a quad-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 400 PS and 760 Nm of torque. TIt allows the crossover to run from 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 250 km/h.
Regardless of which engine is selected, all will be paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission which sends power to a rear-biased all-wheel drive system. Sticking with the performance theme, the redesigned X5 now comes standard with a Dynamic Damper Control system. The model can also be equipped with four-wheel steering and a limited-slip rear differential. Customers can also order an air suspension which can lower the vehicle to ease cargo loading or raise the ride height by 40mm to improve off-road capability. The X5 will be offered with a new off-road package. It includes the aforementioned air suspension and limited-slip differential as well as underbody skid plates. Other goodies include off-road focused displays and a dedicated controller for adjusting the X5’s drive modes which include gravel, rock, sand and snow. An assortment of driver assistance systems will be available including familiar options such as Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Jam Assist. A new addition is the Emergency Stop Assist system will which safely bring the vehicle to halt if the driver becomes incapacitated due to medical emergency.
