The seven-seat 2007 BMW X5 was revealed yesterday, much to the delight of children and kneeless adult passengers, who'd been clamoring for a third row to hunker down in while mom (or whoever) scooted throught the esses on US 208. It's also got a new iDrive controller that uses programmable hot keys to bypass the digital labyrinth for repetitive tasks. As for the design, the overproduced PR imagery makes it nearly impossible to suss out what the latest nip-and-tuck session has wrought. We'll see in Paris. Read the press release after the jump. [Gallery]
Press Release:
2007 BMW X5
Perfect Blend of Driving Dynamics, Functionality and Exclusivity
* Sports Activity Vehicle with further enhanced driving dynamics.
* More power and greater efficiency: inline six and V8 power
* Only vehicle in its segment with Active Steering, AdaptiveDrive, Head-Up Display and standard runflat tires.
* Standard: new six-speed automatic transmission
with electronic gear selector.
* Further enhanced: full-time BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive technology.
* Weight-optimized bodyshell with extreme torsional stiffness.
* Larger interior with up to seven seats.
* New iDrive control concept with six programmable keys.
* Exclusive interior with innovative options.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - August 8, 2006... Its predecessor paved the way for a brand-new type of vehicle. Now the new BMW X5 raises the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) driving experience to an even higher standard. Powerful eight and six-cylinder engines, unique suspension, enhanced BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, as well as a weight-optimized bodyshell with extreme torsional stiffness all interact to ensure excellent agility and dynamic performance.
The new BMW X5 is the only vehicle in its segment available with both Active Steering, developed by BMW, and AdaptiveDrive (a combination of Active Roll Stabilization and Electronic Damping Control). It is also the first SAV fitted with runflat tires as standard equipment.
The powerful elegance of the exterior design, just like the flexible and elegant interior, clearly underlines the dynamic character of the new BMW X5.
The new X5 will be available in the U.S. with either a 4.8-liter V8 capable of 350 horsepower or a 3.0-liter inline-six with 260 horsepower.
The all-new X5 has all the attributes that made the original Sports Activity Vehicle such an innovative concept, and elevates them to new standards.
The interior of the original X5 was one of its hallmarks. The interior in the new BMW X5 combines the most sophisticated materials with numerous innovative options, thus a first-class ambience.
With sales of approximately 580,000 units worldwide since its launch in 1999, the BMW X5 has become an outstanding global success and still enjoys great popularity to this day. Of course the U.S. is the market where the X5 has had the greatest impact. Over 240,000 BMW X5s have been sold in the U.S. alone.
As it was with the original, the goal was to offer the customer a generously dimensioned, luxuriously appointed and, at the same time, highly robust premium vehicle. With BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive and greater ground clearance the X5 possesses all the requirements for venturing out on rough terrain. By combining these attributes with outstanding on-road driving dynamics, BMW has initiated a completely new trend in the global vehicle market.
Related:
Leakity Leak! New BMW X5 Revealed [internal]