Unstoppable success: 10 years of the BMW X5.

Munich. With superior dynamic performance on the road and outstanding
traction on rough terrain, the BMW X5 has been on an unstoppable course
for success for ten years. BMW presented the first generation of the
all-wheel-drive five-door vehicle at the North American International
Auto Show in 1999, thereby founding the segment of the Sports Activity
Vehicle (SAV). The world premiere marked the start of an unprecedented
success story. Within one decade, over 845,000 units of the BMW X5 were
sold. As a result of the consistent further development of the SAV
concept, there are now three BMW X models to choose from, with a fourth
ready for serial production in 2009. What is more, the BMW X5 became the
key inspiration for the entire competitive field of all-wheel-drive
vehicles. In its anniversary year, with the BMW X5 now in its second
generation, the vehicle remains the role model and benchmark of its
class in terms of driving dynamics, efficiency, versatility, premium
quality and safety. From the very beginning, the key to the success of
the BMW X5 lay in its combination of two fascinating qualities which
had never been realised in any vehicle previously. The new model
successfully transferred characteristic BMW driving pleasure into a
completely new market segment. For the very first time, the spacious,
permanently four-wheel driven BMW X5 combined the driving dynamics of a
BMW sedan with supreme mobility away from asphalted road surfaces. Its
integral safety body and independent wheel suspension clearly set the
BMW X5 apart from conventional off-road vehicles, with the driving
stability system DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) including automatic
differential brake ADB-X (Automatic Differential Brake) and HDC (Hill
Descent Control) ensuring supreme driving qualities both on and off the
road. Dynamic performance and versatility were also expressed in the
design of the vehicle. Another striking feature was the raised seating
position which instantly gave the driver the same sense of supremacy
which was provided by the chassis technology. In addition, the
spacious, versatile and high-quality interior provided a whole new
driving experience for an all-wheel-drive automobile. The second
generation of the BMW X5 launched in autumn 2006 saw a consistent
further development of the Sports Activity Vehicle's characteristic
features. With its increased space comfort, luxurious ambience, even
more supreme drivetrain technology and innovative chassis along with
driver assistance systems, the new BMW X5 once again sets the benchmark
throughout the extended competitive field of BMW X models. Like its
predecessor it is produced at BMW's North American plant in Spartanburg
and is the first BMW to potentially provide seating for up to seven
occupants. Its further developed intelligent all-wheel drive BMW xDrive
uniquely enhances both driving dynamics on the road and traction over
rough terrain. The permanent, electronically controlled all-wheel
drive, which is also networked with the drive stability system DSC,
distributes drive power variably between the front and rear wheels.
With the success of the BMW X5, the foundation stone was laid for the
current status of BMW as the world's most successful manufacturer of
premium all-wheel drive vehicles. What is more, numerous reputable
awards for the vehicle's design, quality and safety reflect the
increased appeal of the large SAV models made by BMW. In 2007 the BMW
X5 received the design award "autonis" of the automobile
journal "auto motor und sport" for the most attractive design
and a gold award in the J.D. Power customer satisfaction study in North
America, as well as securing class victory in the "auto 1"
competition of the international "Auto Bild" Group. These
prizes were followed in 2008 by class victory in the "auto, motor
und sport" readers' vote "The best cars". Twice in
succession, the BMW X5 also won a place among the three vehicles with
the most stable value in the German automobile market, causing the
magazine "Auto Bild" to pronounce it "Value Master of
the Year" in both 2007 and 2008. As long ago as 2000, the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US declared the BMW X5 of
the first generation to be the safest vehicle ever to be subjected to
one of its crash tests. In 2003 the SAV achieved the highest possible
score of 5 stars on the Euro-NCAP crash test. The current BMW X5
received the "Top Safety Pick Award" for outstanding crash
test results from the IIHS in both 2007 and 2008. The BMW X5 of model
year 2009 also occupies a leading position in the area of efficiency.
State-of-the-art 8 and 6-cylinder petrol engines and outstandingly
economical 6-cylinder diesel engines in combination with current BMW
EfficientDynamics measures ensure that the BMW X5 combines its excellent
qualities with fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels which are
exemplary in its vehicle and output category. This is also evidence
that the development strategy BMW EfficientDynamics has taken
impressive effect in the segment of the BMW X models, too. After all,
the fuel consumption of all engine types of the BMW X5 has been
considerably reduced in the course of its ten-year history - despite a
significant increase in power. The BMW X5 xDrive48i of model year 2009
achieves an average fuel consumption of 12.1 litres per 100 kilometres
in the EU test cycle - 13 per cent lower than the BMW X5 4.4i of the
year 2000 which had almost 70 bhp less output. The BMW X5 xDrive30i
surpasses its predecessor models by 41 bhp, yet it has an average fuel
consumption level of just 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres, i.e. around
20 per cent less. In the BMW X5 xDrive30d, the output has been
increased by 51 bhp, but fuel consumption has been cut by over 15 per
cent to 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres. These figures are all the more
impressive when they are viewed in relation to the space and comfort
offered by the vehicle. The first BMW to offer space for seven vehicle
occupants is available with engines which offer outstanding fuel
economy and a low level of exhaust emissions. With an average fuel
consumption of 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres and a CO2 output of 217
grams the BMW X5 xDrive30d with 173 kW/235 bhp shows a remarkable
degree of efficiency, especially considering its seating capacity: even
in the segment of small cars, a per-capita fuel consumption of less
than 1.2 litres per 100 kilometres and the relevant CO2 output level of
31 grams per kilometre is achieved only rarely.