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.