THE BMW X5, know internationally as ‘The Boss’, has been a popular mainstay of BMWs extensive range for almost twenty years, undergoing various incarnations on its way to the most evolutionary model yet.
This generation of the X5 continues in the powerful and luxurious theme that the vehicle and company have become so renowned for. When BMW founded the Sports Activity Vehicle segment the aim was to provide drivers with cutting edge versatility and driving pleasure and the X5 does not stray from this vision.
Available from BMW Cambodia in the 35i and 30d models, the BMW X5 now has new scope for individualisation, with exterior and interior features available to order in almost any combination.
The interior boasts increased space, clarity with a luxurious ambience, with the raised seating position and low set instrument panel the driver has never been more comfortable or in a more commanding position from which to control the vehicle.
Combined with high quality interior materials and innovative comfort enhancing functions drivers will experience comfort and driving excellence.
As the world’s most successful Sports Activity Vehicle, the BMW X5 could not afford to sit back while the competition drove past.
To combat this possibility, the class leading X5 is once again setting the benchmark for design with increased interior space, versatility, driving pleasure, efficiency and innovative equipment features in what is now its third generation.
The X5 assures drivers an all round package equipped to meet the most exacting and varied demand.
A varied demand which is all too familiar for Cambodian drivers and vehicle owners. A vehicle in Cambodia will most certainly be called upon to perform an unprecedented variety of driving tasks in any given day, week, or month.
A Cambodian vehicle might be asked to travel the smooth roads of the city, or sometimes run the gauntlet of rough surfaced national roads, but then it needs genuine ground clearance and 4X4 capabilities for navigating rough dirt roads and sometimes flooded terrain that is commonplace in the Cambodian landscape. Vehicles in Cambodia need to be tough, safe, and comfortable.
With this rethink and remodel of the X5, BMW have committed to reducing fuel consumption and emissions through weight minimisation, optimised air guidance, new engine technology and the crowning jewel, the standard fitted, extremely efficient, eight speed automatic gearbox with BMW Efficient Dynamics technology, auto stop start function, and ECO PRO mode that includes a coasting function and Proactive Driving Assistant.
In ECO PRO mode the fast shifting, eight speed automatic gear box has a high internal efficiency, the precise and short shift times help to improve the engine efficiency as well as driver enjoyment, also available as an added option are steering wheel gear shift paddles.
In turn, the BMW coasting function allows the periodic decoupling of the engine from the vehicle power train whenever the driver eases off the accelerator at speeds between 50 and 160km/h and will not apply brakes, allowing the new X5 to coast with engine braking for maximum fuel efficiency.
Along with these energy reducing features, BMW have also created the lightest X5 model to date. They did so by utilising ultra high tensile steel in the body structure, thermoplastics in the side panels, aluminum in the bonnet and magnesium in the instrument panel. The intelligent lightweight design also means that the increased standard specifications do not result in increased vehicle weight relative to previous models.
The evolution of the BMW X5 has not meant that BMW have forgotten why they define the Sports Activity Vehicle segment.
The new X5 is the same combination of confident, sure footed off road traction, plus sporty but luxuriously comfortable on road driving ability that BMW drivers have come to expect. The BMW X5 represents a further evolution of these qualities, incorporating even more refinements to the all wheel drive system and chassis technology.
The driver is given the option to customise their driving experience at the press of a button.
These customisable options for different road types are a great benefit to Cambodian drivers, as one can never really know what the road will be like around the next corner. In Cambodia, adaptability in a vehicle is an absolute necessity.
When it comes to suspension owners have two options, the Dynamic Adaptive Suspension package provides sporty cornering with additional technology to increase stability and active roll stabilisation.
There is also the option of Professional Adaptive Suspension that maximises both comfort and dynamics, offering the highest levels of driving enjoyment in all situations. All models of the BMW X5 come equipped with electric power steering as standard.
The drive power is split between the rear and front wheels, and is actively managed by the xDrive full-time intelligent all wheel drive. Information about road speed, wheel speeds, steering angle and accelerator position is used by the xDrive control logic, to accurately interpret the driver’s intentions and the cars actual position is space and adjust the drive power split to apply as much power as possible to the road.
This creates top-class traction and stability while suppressing over steer and under steer even before the driver is aware such an adjustment is needed.
BMW have also packed the X5 with safety features ensuring that driving at night is easier than ever with an array of technology to aid drivers, as well as harm minimisation technology that engages in the event of an accident.
The new BMW X5 is continuing to set benchmarks, so much so that this article has only scratched the surface of the new features that BMW has intelligently slipped in to the world’s most successful Sports Activity Vehicle, the new BMW X5 ensures driving pleasure, luxury and innovation while keeping an eye firmly fixed on performance, comfort and safety.
To test drive the new BMW X5, or for more information about a special offer, visit the BMW showroom on Russian Boulevard next to the Ministry of Commerce.