All-new F15 BMW X5 launches in Malaysia

All-new F15 BMW X5 launches in Malaysia

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The BMW X5, a crucial model significant in automotive history for pioneering the luxury SUV segment and also for being BMW’s first ever SUV (ok, SAV if you insist), renews itself for the third time, with the all-new F15 generation making its Malaysian debut today.

The vehicle made its world debut at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and from a global catalogue offering six engine choices, BMW unsurprisingly picked two for its line-up in Malaysia. As with the outgoing E70 model, the new F15 X5 will be offered with a choice of two six-cylinder engines, both displacing three litres, but differing in fuel choices, namely petrol and diesel respectively.

Neither engine require any introduction by now, but to recap, we have the N57 turbodiesel powering the X5 xDrive30d and the N55 twin-scroll turbo petrol engine powering the X5 xDrive35i. Carried over from the E70, and also featured in a range of other BMW models, the engines feature unchanged outputs from before – the 30d pushing out 258hp and 560Nm, whilst the 35i generating 306hp and 400Nm.

The usual and wide-ranging suite of BMW EfficientDynamics enhancements assume continued importance in the all-new X5, with the superlative ZF 8-speed automatic transmission leading the way. Other features that help the X5 driver maximize its performance whilst minimizing consumption and emissions are the Route-Ahead Assistant, which draws data from the vehicle’s onboard GPS to refine its driving tips, and a coasting function which disengages the transmission when the driver releases the accelerator at speeds between 50 and 160kph with the Driving Experience Control system set in Eco Pro mode.

Integration of these crucial features enable both variants the new F15 X5, despite maintaining its outputs from the outgoing model, to simultaneously sprint faster and consume less. Compared to its E70 equivalent, the new F15 xDrive35i shaves 0.3 seconds off its century sprint and enjoys a 16% reduction in fuel consumption, the two numbers being rated at 6.5 seconds and 8.5 l/100km respectively. More appealing numbers come unsurprisingly from the xDrive30d, which hits 100kph in 6.9 seconds and consume fuel at a rate of 6.2 l/100km. Carbon dioxide emissions are measured at 199 g/km for the 35i and 164 g/km for the 30d.

Like all diesel-powered BMW models officially sold in Malaysia, the X5 xDrive30d is deprived of its diesel particulate filter (DPF) that enables it to operate with Euro 2M fuel. This DPF deletion option is not currently available with other diesel powertrains of the X5, thus ruling out variants such as the 25d (sDrive & xDrive), 40d, and M50d. In its entire portfolio of engines, BMW only offers DPF deletion with the 20d and 30d engines.

The 25d models are notable for making two firsts in the X5’s model history – first usage of a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine and first ever offering of RWD with the X5. The 25d uses the familiar N47 four-pot in a more advanced 218hp state of tune. It is a shame that BMW do not currently have the option of offering this particular variant in Malaysia; its 2.0-litre engine would incur much lower taxes and make for very competitive pricing. As always, the underlying message behind this unfortunate occurrence is that our failure to advance beyond Euro 2M fuel is causing Malaysian motorists to miss out on many of the latest generation of engines – those engines that do arrive, are unable to fulfill their maximum performance potential.

BMW’s global model hierarchy positions the 35i petrol engine above the 30d engine, and the local office has priced the two variants to accordingly reflect that. A RM40,000 price gap separates the two variants, and the xDrive35i exclusively gets adaptive suspension, full-colour heads-up display, third-row seats, and Design Pure Experience exterior trim package consisting of stainless steel underbody elements and Matte Silver finish on the air inlet trim, kidney grille slates, and rear trim strip. Equipment standard to both variants include keyless entry, Dakota leather upholstery, the latest-generation iDrive Touch Controller, Surround View Camera, LED headlights, and Anti-Dazzle High-Beam Assistant.

Estimated prices of the all-new F15 BMW X5 (OTR without insurance, with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BSRI)) are RM558,800 for the X5 xDrive30d and RM598,800 for the xDrive35i.

Pictures: Official BMW release.

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