BMW has unveiled the new, extensively updated editions of its Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) and Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) for the luxury segment. The range of updated drive systems includes new combustion engines, a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid system for the BMW X5 xDrive50e and 48V mild hybrid technology for the other models. Also leading the way are the new automated driving and parking systems and the fully digital iDrive control and operation system with BMW curved screen based on the BMW 8 operating system.
The new BMW X5 technology – Gen5 PHEV
Both models will be built at BMW Group’s Spartanburg plant in the US, the center of competition for the BMW X models, and their global rollout will begin in April 2023.
The new BMW X5 and the new BMW X6 can be ordered with the option of an eight-cylinder petrol engine, an inline six-cylinder petrol engine and an inline six-cylinder diesel engine, each of the latest generation of power units. . All engines are now linked to the new eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, complete with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. They send their power to the road via the intelligent BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system.
All drive units now feature 48 V mild hybrid technology. This general application of electrification comes in the form of an electric motor integrated into the transmission. This engine generates an increase in output of up to 9 kW/12 hp and 200 N·m (147 lb-ft) of torque, helping the combustion engine deliver a smooth and dynamic drive along with high efficiency.
The mild hybrid system can also be used to drive on purely electric power at very low speeds in the BMW X5 xDrive40i and BMW X6 xDrive40i models. The electric motor has the added effect of allowing smoother operation of both the auto start/stop function and the coasting function that comes into play when the ECO PRO driving experience control mode is selected .
The energy needed to boost the electrical power is stored in a 48V battery located in the engine compartment. It charges extremely efficiently during coasting and braking phases through adaptive recovery and also feeds regenerated energy into the vehicle’s electrical system.
The drivetrain for the plug-in hybrid variant of the SAV has also been completely reworked and the updated model carries the designation BMW X5 xDrive50e. A state-of-the-art inline six-cylinder petrol engine and an equally new electric motor combine to develop a system output of 360 kW/490 hp (including the temporary boost effect), an increase of 70 kW/96 hp compared to the outgoing model. and a combined torque of 700 N·m (516 lb-ft), which is an increase of 100 N·m (74 lb-ft).
The petrol engine’s rated output of 230 kW/313 hp is an increase of 20 kW/27 hp on the unit it replaces. The compact electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission produces a nominal output of 145 kW/197 hp (+62 kW/84 hp).
8-speed automatic transmission with pre-stage (red), integrated electric motor (blue) and side power electronics, for top-end BMW Plug-In-Hybrids.
In addition, an innovative pre-gear stage, which is used to increase the effective torque produced by the electric motor to a maximum of 450 N·m (332 lb-ft) at the engine’s transmission input, helps provide an even sharper power delivery. The BMW X5 xDrive50e accelerates from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds.
The amount of usable energy that can be stored by the high-voltage battery integrated in the underbody area has been increased by almost 25% compared to the previous generation, to 25.7 kWh. A new combined charging unit doubles the maximum AC charging rate to 7.4 kW. The electric range of the new BMW X5 xDrive50e is 94 to 110 kilometers (58 to 68 miles) in the WLTP cycle.
New V8 petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. The credit for the elite sporting prowess of the two top-of-the-line models goes to a new 4.4-liter V8 gasoline engine, derived from the power units of BMW M GmbH’s high-performance models. M TwinPower Turbo technology and a transverse exhaust manifold provide impressive performance to the 390 kW/530 hp engine, which generates a maximum torque of 750 N·m (553 lb-ft).
The latest version of the eight-cylinder engine propels both the new BMW X5 M60i xDrive and the new BMW X6 M60i xDrive from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds.
State-of-the-art six-cylinder in-line gasoline engine. Innovations affecting the combustion process, gas exchange, valve control, injection and ignition system mark the state-of-the-art 3.0 liter inline six-cylinder petrol engine at work in the new BMW X5 xDrive40i and the new BMW X6 xDrive40i.
The new engine develops a maximum power increased by 35 kW/47 hp compared to the outgoing models to 280 kW/380 hp, plus a maximum torque of 70 N·m (52 lb-ft) to 520 Nm (383 lb -ft). This can be increased to 540 N·m (398 lb-ft) with the input of the mild hybrid system. The engine accelerates both the new BMW X5 xDrive40i and the new BMW X6 xDrive40i from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds.
Inline six-cylinder diesel engine with detail improvements. The inline six-cylinder diesel engine in the new BMW X5 xDrive30d and the new BMW X6 xDrive30d also brings improvements to numerous details. The 3.0-liter unit now has steel pistons instead of aluminum, an optimized oil separation process and a new common-rail direct injection system with solenoid valve injectors.
The new diesel engine joins forces with the mild hybrid system to produce a maximum power of 219 kW/298 hp and a maximum torque of 670 N·m (494 lb-ft). This enables both the new BMW X5 xDrive30d and the new BMW X6 xDrive30d to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds.
Additional systems for automated driving and parking.
The comfort and safety of the new BMW X5 and the new BMW X6 can be taken to another new level with an expanded selection of automated driving and parking systems. The updates include improved capabilities for the standard Forward Collision Warning system, which can now also reduce the risk of collisions with cyclists, pedestrians or oncoming traffic when exiting a road. Available options now include Automatic Speed Limit Assist, Departure Warning, Active Navigation, Route Speed Control, Traffic Light Recognition (depending on market), Emergency Stop Assist, Lane Change Assist and Fusion Assistant.
In addition to the reversing assist camera and reversing assistant, the standard parking assistant now also includes the driving control and towing assistant functions. And the new optional Parking Assistant Professional enables automatic parking in and out of spaces and complete maneuvers at a distance of up to 200 meters to be controlled from outside the car via the My BMW app on an Apple iPhone.
