In a surprise launch at Frankfurt, BMW unveiled the X5 facelift in two new versions. The new 2WD, which was hinted at in the press a month ago, but also a new eDrive version, sporting their new eDrive technology and overnight plug-in charging
New BMW X5 2WD
Aimed at the business users of the X5, both models hope to make the large X5 a more business user-friendly car. The two-wheel drive will have lower emissions and much better fuel consumption than its big brothers, with 50mpg and 148g/km CO2 emissions courtesy of one of BMW’s most efficient engines, the 2.0 litre four cylinder. The best of the existing X5 range achieves 36 mpg and 198g/km CO2
In rough terms, if you pay 40% tax right now, the new model will cost you £4070 per annum, for a car of this status and value, that really is great value. If you are happy to pay for a little more fuel and some more tax, the smaller engine will also be used in 4WD format with xDrive, emissions and fuel consumption will be up
To complement the BMW i range of cars, they showed X5 eDrive. Capable of 75mpg and less than 90g/km CO2, the eDrive will have running cost lower than a medium sized hatch back. Impressive CO2 figures come virtue of the fact that the car will cover 20 miles of electric power alone, skewing the figures
With the launch of the i3 last month and the i8 this month, I consider that the r&d for the X5 is already done, so the estimated date from BMW of 2015 is conservative. In fact, they have indicated prices and specification being the same as the 2WD unit, which unusually for BMW will be full of business type goodies such as iDrive, Bluetooth and cruise control
