The new fourth-generation BMW X5 arrived in South Africa back in 2018 and the luxury SUV has received a round of updates to keep it fighting fit against rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Volvo XC90, Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, to name a few…
Similarly, the third-generation X6 Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) has also been updated. The latest iterations of the BMW X5 and X6 have now arrived in local BMW showrooms!
Let’s take a look at some of the key changes.
BMW X5 Changes
BMW Iconic Glow illuminated kidney grille is now an option on the X5.
From the outside, you’ll notice that the latest X5’s face has been revised with a new front bumper design with redesigned vertical air curtains and lower air intakes. BMW has also fitted new slimmer and angular headlights which exude a sharper, more powerful look. Perhaps more significant is that the kidney grille is now optionally illuminated which emboldens the X5 / X6’s road presence, especially at night. The BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille will be offered on all 6-cylinder engined variants. The X5’s rear quarter gains new-look taillights with an X motif reflected horizontally for maximum effect.
BMW M Sport trim is an option on the X5 and take on a model-specific form for the X5 M60i xDrive which include double bars and an Mlogo for the BMW kidney grille, M exterior mirror caps in Black high-gloss, exhaust tailpipe trim in M quad-pipe style and a rear spoiler in Black high-gloss. In addition to this, all X5 variants can also be had with the M Sport package Pro.
New colours for the X5 M60i xDrive include MMarina Bay Blue metallic and MIsle of Man Green metallic while other X5 derivatives can be had in new hues including Blue Ridge Mountain metallic, Brooklyn Grey metallic, Skyscraper Grey metallic, Frozen Pure Grey metallic and around 40 BMW Individual special paint finishes.
BMW X6 Changes
The X6 gains an M Sport Package as standard.
The X6 further gains BMW’s M Sport package as standard with the octagonal front-end signature with bold side apertures and black surfaces adding impetus to the stance as well as the sculpted 3-dimensional front apron which rounds off the aggressive look. Other details seen on the X6 include M-specific side skirts, M high-gloss Shadowline trim, Dark Shadow rear apron insert and new trapezoidal tailpipe trim.
Both the X5 and X6 are fitted with 20-inch light alloy wheels as standard while range-topping derivatives gain 21-inch wheels. Buyers can also choose optional 22-inch light-alloy wheels.
Interior Changes
A new curved screen makes its way into the X5 and X6.
Moving inside, BMW has redesigned the interior which now houses a new curved display that incorporates a large 14.9-inch infotainment screen with the latest iDrive 8 operating system as well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster all under a single glass surface. A keen eye will also notice that the revised centre console now features additional touch-sensitive surfaces the gear selector has also been redesigned. There are also noticeably fewer physical buttons thanks to the touch functionality of the new touchscreen.
The instrument panel itself is finished in leather-like Sensafin with elegant wood trim. A new ambient light bar with LED backlighting adds ambience to the cabin with the appropriate ‘X5’, ‘X6’ or ‘M’ lettering, the latter of which is seen on the flagship derivatives.
A variety of optional features are offered to buyers for the latest X5 and X6.
Sport seats are standard but Comfort seats will be offered as an option as are BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery and active seat ventilation and massage function.
Other options include a new Comfort Package which includes panel heating, ‘thermo’ cup holders, Sky Lounge panoramic glass sunroof with LED lights and a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System.
BMW has also enhanced the X5 / X6’s driver assistance features and automated parking functions. the front-collision warning system can now reduce the risk of collision with cyclists, pedestrians and oncoming traffic when turning off a road. Other assistance options include Speed Limit Assist, exit warning, route speed control, Emergency Stop Assistant, and Lane Change Assistant.
The standard Parking Assistant (with Reversing Assist Camera and Reversivn Assistant) now also features drive-off monitoring and Trailer Assistant functions. Furthermore, the optional Parking Assistant Professional can automatically park at a distance of up to 200 metres and can be controlled from outside the car using the My BMW App (Apple iPhone).
All powertrains are now supported with 48-volt mild hybrid technology.
From a powertrain perspective, the biggest change is that all powertrains now feature 48-volt mild hybrid technology offering better performance and efficiency.
The outgoing X5 and X6 M50i will be replaced with the M60i which features a new 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 equipped with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. Outputs of 390 kW and 750 Nm are identical to the outgoing M50i but the incoming M60i is expected to deliver better performance while also being more efficient in conjunction with its 8-speed automatic transmission. Zero to 100 km is claimed in 4.8 seconds for both models. This new V8 powertrain will also make its way into the X5 M Competition but curiously, power outputs have yet to be revealed for the range-topper but are likely to me be marginally higher than the current 460 kW and 750 Nm.
This across-the-board mild-hybrid system incorporates an electric motor integrated into the transmission which adds up to 9 kW and 200 Nm boost. All derivatives make use of an 8-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel.
Engine outputs for all 6-cylinder variants have improved significantly.
The outgoing X5 xDrive45e is now called the X5 xDrive50e and boasts increased performance, combining the latest-generation 3.0-litre turbopetrol engine with a new electric motor to produce combined outputs of 360 kW and 700 Nm (previously 290 kW and 600 Nm). The engine now produces 230 kW (20 kW more) while the electric motor produces 142 kW (62 kW more) with acceleration from zero to 100 kph claimed in 4.8 seconds. The 25.7 kWh battery is said to offer a claimed electric range of between 94 and 110 kilometres in the WLTP cycle.
The latest generation 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder engine in the X5/X6 xDrive40i now develops 30 kW more power than before with power peaking at 280 kW while torque has also increased by 70 Nm to 520 Nm (540 Nm on boost). BMW claims 5.4 seconds to sprint from zero to 100kph.
As for the sole diesel offering in the X5 xDrive30d, the 6-cylinder 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine has been updated with steel pistons (previously aluminium), an optimised oil separation process and a new direct injection system with solenoid valve injectors. Combined with BMW’s mild hybrid system, the X5/X6 xDrive30d now produces 219 kW and 670 Nm (previously 195 kW and 620 Nm) and is claimed to sprint from zero to 100 kph in 6.1 seconds.
Adaptive suspension will be standard across the X5 / X6 range while Adaptive M suspension (with M Sport differential and active roll stabilisation system) and Integral Active Steering (optional on other derivatives) will be standard on range-topping derivatives. Adaptive air suspension and xOffroad package will be offered as an option.
BMW X5 xDrive 30d – R1 690 000
BMW X5 xDrive40i – R1 720 000
BMW X5 xDrive50e – R1 880 000
BMW X5 M60i – R2 090 000
BMW X5 M Competition – R3 095 000
BMW X6 xDrive30d – R1 810 000
BMW X6 xDrive40i – R1 840 000
BMW X6 M60i – R2 150 000
BMW X6 M Competition – R3 155 000
The new BMW X5 and X6 are sold with a 2-year/unlimited warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Buy a BMW X5 / X6 on Cars.co.za
Refreshed BMW X5 and X6 M Competition Go Mild-Hybrid
New BMW XM: SA Price Revealed
BMW M Division Announces its Best-Selling Car of 2022
zpostcode
Recruit
weather
mreligion
Yellowpages
sport
constellation
shopping
name
game
directory
literature
Word
tour
furnish
Lottery
tftnews
lyrics
News
digital
car
dir
Edu
Finance
