New BMW 7-series

The new sixth-generation BMW 7-series is the latest in a long line of luxury cars from BMW. Often a pioneer as far as technology is concerned, the new 7 combines a strong focus on opulent luxury, plenty of new tech and an even stronger focus on driving manners

The new 7-series will come to India in the long-wheelbase guise, powered by a six-cylinder diesel and a twin-turbo V8 petrol. The car has an evolutionary design that looks similar at first glance to the current car; but look closer and it clearly has a new nose and tail. The BMW kidney grille now is bigger and features active louvers that open and close to improve airflow through to the radiator. There are new optional high-tech laser headlights in pods that stretch all the way round back from the grille and the new 7 makes widespread use of advanced air curtains around the wheels, for improved aero performance. The slightly sleeker form also provides it with a class-leading drag co-efficient of just 0.24.

This new-generation car, however, has a lot of catching up to do. The new Mercedes S-class, launched last year, really took the game ahead, pioneering plenty of new technology and adding massively to its comfort quotient, and BMW will have to be at the top of its game to match it. But the new 7 seems well up to the task. The sixth-gen four-door comes loaded with a host of new technology. Among its highlights are intelligent lightweight carbonfibre construction, new-generation engines, a high-quality interior with the latest in connectivity and even new gesture-based controls. Also available in the near future, an autonomous parking function that enables you to step out and park the car at the press of a button.

BMW has always tried to make the 7-series the best to drive in its class, despite being an out and out luxury car. For this sixth-generation model though, the focus has been widened.

The agility and sportiness inherent in the previous versions remain at the core of the new model, but this new car focusses heavily on comfort as well, and it does so by using air suspension both at the front and the rear. In addition to this are two additional systems; rear wheel steering and active anti-roll bars.

The 7-series now also offers four differing modes via an optional Driver Experience Control function. You can also dial up Comfort, Comfort plus (a first), Sport and Adaptive modes, the last of which is similar to the one used by Rolls Royce. It automatically adjusts the suspension and gearbox via input from the car's sensors, and also reads the road ahead via the GPS system, and acts accordingly, selecting the right gear for the job.

There’s a new suppleness to the way the sixth-gen sedan gets along, both around town and on the open road. In Comfort Plus, the new BMW is much quieter and noticeably smoother than its predecessor. The suspension is far less sensitive to surface texture and has greater ability to sponge up bumps, making it more relaxing to travel in the back.

In 750iL guise, the new BMW feels very muscular. Its twin-turbo V8 motor allows you to either burble along on small throttle openings or launch into full-bore drags that are startlingly quick. The V8 puts out a very strong 445bhp and because this new car is lighter, it feels very quick. 0-100 comes up in a startling 4.3 seconds, as the V8 winds hard all the way to 7000rpm, pushing this barge forward with plenty of refined punch.

Switch to Sport, however, and air springs, dampers and active anti-roll bars tighten up the whole suspension, and the car seems to just shrink to the size of a well-mannered 5-series. Superb damper tuning provides excellent body control and it really does allow you to attack corners like you wouldn't believe. It truly does have impressive agility for such a big car. And there is loads and loads of grip too, which at times, gets you to forget what type of vehicle you really are driving.

The new car's interior receives a big update with a new dashboard that is finished in higher grade materials very similar to those on the new S-class. Higher grade wood creates the right ambience, the more supple, butter-soft leather feels great to sit on and tastefully done metallic buttons help it provide a more luxurious feel as well.

Gesture control is also offered for the first time. It uses a three-dimensional sensor mounted near the mirror to detect hand movements that control functions. You can twirl your fingers clockwise to increase the volume and you can point two fingers to change the mode, among others, and the best part is that it works like a treat. And there's also wireless charging for Android phones and a scent diffuser. 

Among the other highlights are new digital instruments that change colour depending on the driving mode, a beautifully finished multi-function steering wheel, a touch-sensitive air-conditioning system and revised switchgear. A new-generation iDrive system with a new touchscreen makes a debut here too. It allows you to operate various functions in a similar style to that of a smartphone with pinch, point and swipe commands, and this now makes the experience more intuitive.

The new 7-series is a significantly better car than its predecessor. Its evolutionary styling may not be exciting initially, but its classy interior, high-tech features and improved ride and sharp handling elevate it to a new level of excellence, making it a much more serious rival to the S-class. It's almost as good from the back seat and much nicer to drive, and that puts the new 7 back in the game. Worth waiting for; yes certainly, the S-class is now no longer an automatic choice.

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BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe attempts to downsize the recipe of the four-door coupe concept, which was pioneered by the Mercedes CLS. Like its big brother, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, it combines rakish coupe-like looks with four doors and a big boot to create a stylish family car.

Based on the fine 4 Series Coupe but offering a bigger boot and easier passenger transport, it’s a worthy rival to the ageing but successful Audi A5 Sportback and Volkswagen CC.

onlookers could be forgiven for not noticing the difference between the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and a standard BMW 3 Series – a criticism we’d never level at the far more imposing (and expensive) 6 Series Gran Coupe.

That said, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is still a handsome machine in the metal, with the 4 Series’ wider rear axle helping boost the car’s planted stance.

For extra visual aggression and around £3,000, you can spec the M Sport pack, which adds a more aggressive bumper an standard 18-inch alloy wheels, plus a comprehensive revamp of the interior.

Driving

4.2

Perhaps the highest compliment we can pay the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, is that you’d never notice the extra 50kg of extra doors and slightly taller stance.

In short, it handles just like the 4 Series Coupe, which is to say very well indeed – if lacking the final word in excitement. Thanks to its 50:50 weight distribution and the same widened tracks as the 4 Series Coupe, the Gran Coupe exudes balance, while remaining flat and confidence-inspiring in fast direction changes.

As with most modern BMWs, it’s the slightly dull steering that’s the main disappointment – it never really transmits a lot of information from the front axle. This sadly detracts from an otherwise engaging drive in which you experience from one of the most resolved (and adjustable) driving positions of any sports saloon.

The range of engines mirrors the Coupe’s too, save for the fuel-sipping 418d variant, which has been included due to its fleet-friendly CO2 rating. 

Reliability

3.5

Based on the proven mechanicals of the BMW 3 Series Saloon, there’s nothing in the 4 Series range that should give cause for alarm. In fact, the current 3 Series came 14th in our 2014 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.

However, BMW has some slight catching up to do to beat its rivals on customer service: its 10th placed finish in our 2014 Driver Power survey fell behind Mercedes (9th) and also Jaguar and Lexus (4th and 2nd respectively). Audi, meanwhile, languished in 12th place.

Practicality

3.5

Despite BMW stubbornly billing this car as a ‘coupe’, its four doors and hatchback boot make it a more usable proposition than you might expect. Instead of the 4 Series Coupe’s bootlid, the Gran Coupe uses a hatchback tailgate with automatic opening and closing as standard, giving a much larger loading aperture.

At 480 litres, the Gran Coupe’s boot is also 35 litres larger than that offered by the 4 Series Coupe - exactly the same size as the cargo area offered in the 3 Series Saloon. Even the car’s closest rival, the Audi A5 Sportback, can’t trump the BMW as it offers a 480-litre space.

Another oddity in the car’s specification is its ‘4+1’ seating arrangement. Essentially, there is a middle seat on the rear bench, but it’s raised above the other two to clear the transmission tunnel. When combined with that curving roofline, it’s left only as an emergency seat for children.

Running Costs

4

The extra practicality of the 4 BMW Series Gran Coupe represents great value for money when you consider that it’s priced identically to the 4 Series Coupe range. 

It might be a big coupe lookalike, but the 4 Series Gran Coupe should serve up some supermini-sized running costs thanks to its two four-cylinder turbodiesel engines. According to BMW’s official figures, the 418d and 420d can record 63mpg and 60mpg respectively.

The 420d would be our choice as its extra torque endows this sporting saloon with some much-needed punch. That said, BMW’s diesels are rather noisy, so if you’re a fan of the black pump it’ll be worth waiting for the six-cylinder 430d and 435d Gran Coupe variants due soon.

Petrol fans are even better catered for, with the choice of 420i and 428i turbocharged four-cylinder engines and a flagship 435i six-cylinder also available at launch. If you’re not doing huge miles, the four-cylinder variants in particular are worth a look – they’re urgent and far more refined than the ‘default option’ diesels.

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BMW i8

The BMW i8 is the zen-like, sustainable, low-emissions, petrol-electric, ‘new premium’ German sports car of the future. Expressions of concept don’t get much more complicated. But, while the two most important words in that string get crowded out by their louder neighbours, they are undoubtedly ‘sports car’. Or rather they should have been – written in bold, enlarged, indelible type.
Unfortunately – predictably, perhaps – that probably wasn’t quite how it was. Because the i8 turns out to be a car of incredible visual impact, laudably mature execution, and offers a uniquely appealing ownership proposition. But drive it and you won't be acquainting yourself with the undeniable perfect future of the sports car – but instead a BMW that doesn't deliver the engaging edge an enthusiast might expect.

It should be like a Porsche 918 Spyder for a fifth of the outlay. It’s certainly got some promising ingredients.
The 1.5-litre three-cylinder Mini Cooper engine cradled between the i8’s back wheels has a higher specific output than any production combustion engine that BMW currently makes, feeding 228bhp and 32.6kgm to the rear wheels of the car via a six-speed ZF automatic transmission. Between the front wheels, there’s a 128bhp, 25.4kgm ‘hybrid synchronous’ electric motor, driving those front wheels through a two-speed automatic transmission.
And here’s the clever bit. That electric motor and transmission, the 7.1kWh lithium ion battery mounted where the car’s transmission tunnel might otherwise be and the high-voltage power management system add almost exactly 200kg to the i8. Relative to an aluminium or steel equivalent, says BMW, the carbonfibre-reinforced plastic monocoque saves exactly 200kg. So the car weighs in at 1540kg with fluids onboard: which is less than a current Porsche 911 Turbo, never mind the 918.

The i8’s two-speed gearbox, meanwhile, allows the electric motor to operate at peak torque as the combustion engine passes its torque peak in the lower intermediate gears. And that means, as well as 357bhp, you really do get 58.06kgm of mid-range thrust from this car at times. And it feels like it.
Early impressions of the i8 are of nothing less than a fully fledged supercar. The body looks ridiculously low, wide and ground-hugging. The styling’s got smack-in-the-chops impact to rival a Lamborghini, and scissor doors for belt-and-braces extravagant effect.
You have to fold yourself into the cabin between a low roofline and a high, wide, expensive-looking sill. And once you have, the interior’s got no less of a sense of occasion to it, with a generously sculptural, driver-focused dashboard, colourful LCD instruments, low-slung and deep-dished sports seats; there's also an abundance of little features and touches that lift the ambience way above BMW’s usual conservative norm.
So it talks the talk, the i8 – loud and clear. Walking the walk of something as pure as a Porsche 911 was always going to be the harder bit. On handling precision and that final sliver of driver engagement, the BMW falls short of brilliance. But it’s good, and almost there. Certainly good enough to consider the car an amazing success in its own hyper-specialised niche.
Right up until you go looking for that critical last fraction of driver appeal, in fact, the i8 does almost everything right. Starting off with ‘Comfort’ mode selected on its adaptive dampers and near-silent drive turning its front wheels, the i8 is comfortable and super-civilised around town. It’s a bit choppy-riding occasionally, but not often.

Its steering is light but there's a modicum of well-judged feedback, and performance is entirely decent in electric mode. Electric-only range is a bit low, in reality about 24km. But the BMW seldom operates like a range-extended EV unless you explicitly instruct it to anyway, its combustion engine regularly chiming in through most drive modes, even when the battery is relatively well charged.
Knock the gear selector into ‘Sport’ mode and the engine begins to run almost continually. Gun the accelerator away from a standstill and the powertrain feels like a big V6: instant and heavy-hitting on pedal response, but with a loud, gruff, synthesized soundtrack broadcast to you over the audio speakers.


Yet the harder it revs and the faster you go, the smaller that imaginary V6 seems. Work it really hard beyond 5000rpm and the i8’s performance level feels a touch thin and strained.
The car’s handling stands up more stoutly to inspection – but not indefinitely. Body control is excellent; steering response equally immediate. Lateral grip levels could be higher, particularly at the front wheels, which begin to scrabble and scream under load if you harry them.
Drive intelligently though, using weight transfer to give the steering authority on turn-in, and the i8 responds for the most part like any good mid-engined machine should: with some balance and alacrity, but exceptional in neither.
The rear axle is always glued to its line, giving dependable stability. It declines any attempt to adjust your arc through a corner with a bit of throttle-steering. That's a typical facet of a car that just doesn’t respond well to being driven hard, and one that approaches its adhesive limits a bit early for our tastes.
The i8 can be enjoyed vividly enough as you approach that point, of course. But not ultimately as vividly as a sports car at this price point really ought.
If you genuinely don’t mind compromising on sporting clarity of purpose for lower emissions, enhanced economy and of-the-moment desirability, then you should definitely opt for the BMW i8. But if that’s you, the sports car market would seem to be a strange place to go shopping for your next car anyway.
The BMW i8 doesn’t quite feel as exciting as it does fast; it’s secure and fluent, but not the last word in fun. Accounting for its novelty value, brimming supercar attitude and its low-emissions sense of environmental responsibility, it’ll be more than sporting enough to satisfy people who couldn’t otherwise have justified a sports car.

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2016 BMW 5 Series

We have seen that Mercedes and Audi are working on next generation E-class and A6 respectively, then how could Bavarian Motor Works fall behind the competition? Following the competitors neck to neck, the all new BMW 5 series is getting ready for mid-2016 launch. The sedan version of this car is being called as G30 internally. Recently few renderings of the new beamer have emerged on AutoBild.de. Let’s check how the new 5 series is evolving in its next avatar.

The new design language, which we have seen on 3 series, upcoming X4 and X5, will be carried over to this beamer as well. The headlights, with corona rings, now extend till kidney grill and bulges a little as we move away from the grill. Front bumpers will house prominent air dams and could carry servo motors to control its opening. Over the past few iterations, tail lights have turned more slimmer every time and so does this time too. The new 5 series is expected to grow in size as its younger sibling, the 3 series, has grown considerably. Also company wants to create a new segment with the launch of 4 series and hence 5 series has to make space for the new kid. So expect roomier cabin than ever before in new 5 series with many pleasing technologies at your service inside the cabin.

For the first time BMW might use different platforms for the cars within the same series. Entry level variants, with 4 cylinder engine, may get lighter components like axles, brakes and radiators carried over from 3 series. Other variants with 6 or 8 cylinder engine will be getting more stiffer, rigid and hence a little heavy setup. According to the news, company also plans to offer a 150 hp-three cylinder engine in the 518i variant, for the first time in this segment. Along with this engine, 5 series may also get 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder power plants. All these mills are expected to share 60% parts in between them. Also diesel and petrol mills with similar configuration may share 40% parts amongst themselves.

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BMW 5 Series Launched In India

It has been over three years since the sixth-generation of the BMW 5 Series was launched worldwide, including here in India. While the 5 Series has been popular, the company claiming to have sold over a million units, its competitors have been closing in.  Audi took the crown from BMW in the luxury car space at the end of  last month and Mercedes-Benz has been attacking the market with a slew of new launches. The announcement of a new E-Class by Mercedes has really forced BMW to act fast. New European emissions standards (EU6) to be introduced in 2014 has also forced the car-maker to revamp its model lineup. The new engine lineup for the 5 Series is more efficient and emits lesser harmful gases into the environment, with a targeted reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions.The new 2014 BMW 5 Series has been launched in India, 4 diesel variants of the car have been launched with prices starting at Rs. 46.90 Lakhs ex-showroom Delhi.

The BMW 5 Series is now offered in three different trim lines, the Modern Line, Luxury Line and M Sport Line. The different lines get different styling changes; The Luxury line, as the name suggests, incorporates more things that enhance the luxurious characteristics of the 5 Series (more chrome basically). The Modern line gives the 5 Series a more modern feel (less chrome, some matt finished parts). Finally, the M Sport line is for those who want more sportiness from the 5 Series (M Sport accessories). In other markets, these lines are offered with all engine choices whereas in India BMW has launched these lines as standalone options.

There are subtle styling changes inside and out. New features introduced in this update include adaptive LED headlights, LED fog lamps, integrated indicators in the ORVM covers, new alloy wheel designs and paint options.

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BMW Z4

BMW's two seater sports car, the Z4, will be launched in it's all-new avatar on the 14th of November 2013. The new Z4 will feature minor updates to the sucessful two seater roadster with the aim to strengthen the aging platform's market relevance. With stunning GT looks featuring a long swooping bonnet and a short stubby tail, a metal folding roof that allows the driver the best of both worlds and a fantastic engine package under the bonnet, the Z4 is most certainly one of the best cars to come out of the BMW brand in recent years.

The Z4 though is more than five years old in it's current avatar and the updated Z4, which will be launched in India on the 14th is nothing more than a minor facelift. With a newly designed headlight, slightly redesigned bumper and a black roof option, the average joe will find it hard to differentiate the new version from the older one. However, that said, the Z4 is still one of the most beautiful cars that one can buy under a crore and is also one of the best drivers cars in it's segment. Although newer competitiors like the Porsche Boxster and the Mercedes SLK have overtaken the Z4 both in relevance and in some cases, performance, the Z4 is still a force to reckon with. 

The Z4 in India will come in the sDrive35is guise but if rumors are to be believed, BMW will also launch the cheaper Z4 18i and Z4 20i to make the Z4 much more accessible to the Indian market. The 35i will feature a 3.0 Litre 6-cylinder twin-turbo engine producing 340PS and 400NM of torque. The Z4 18i features a 2.0 Litre turbocharged petrol engine making 156PS while the Z4 20i features a 2.0 Litre turbocharged petrol engine making 183Bhp. Expect the new Z4 to be launched at about Rs 70.0 Lakh 

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bmw m1 hommage

It’s time for BMW to respond to the R8, SLS and 911 supercars topping the respective ranges Audi, Merc and Porsche. The August 2012 issue of CAR Magazine reveals how BMW is planning to revive the M1 supercar some time around 2016.

The new BMW M1 will be considerably lighter, more powerful and more efficient than its current rivals, thanks to a combination of new tech and old-school low mass. Read on for the details of the first true BMW supercar in a quarter of a century.

The original M1 of 1978-81 was sadly quite a debacle (Lamborghini failed to supply the cars it was contracted to build, then the rules for the racing series it was designed for changed, leaving the M1 in no-mans-land.)  BMW eventually built 460 of the wedgy, 277bhp two-seaters, powered by a 3.5-litre in-line six which of course went on to see duty in the E28 M5, albeit slightly modified for its supersaloon application.

As BMW’s first (and only) mass-produced mid-engined car, and arguably the first truly user-friendly supercar, the M1 has acquired cult status as the grandfather of the M-badged motors. Quite a legacy then, for the 2016 M1 to live up to.

BMW M1 is a rare sports car made by BMW in just 456 units. This is the only supercar ever produced by the Bavarian car manufacturer that is now considered to be part of history.

This car features a 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine mounted in the center of the vehicle. The machine is equipped with mechanical fuel injection system Kugelfischer which makes it able to produce 277 hp and very strong in his day.

Developed together in a joint venture between Lamborghini and BMW, M1 was made between 1978 to 1981, which means, M1 youngest was 32 years old.

Of 456 units built, only 399 were certified by the use of the highway, while the other 57 units have undergone special tuning for racing purposes.

Auction house RM Auctions has made 1980 units M1 Henna Red color makes it even more exclusive because only 72 units that are colored like that. Unfortunately, this paint is no longer original. He has been repainted by the previous owner.

Unfortunately again, the vehicle was imported from Europe to America not through the federal standard procedure, so it would be difficult to list them in California, where the vehicle is currently located.

The car was auctioned with bidding starting price of U.S. $ 150,000 (Rp1.45 billion). Prices are fairly 'cheap' to buy part of BMW heritage pieces.

BMW Motorsport is preparing a supercar that will be named M1 Hommage. The reason this car will be a new challenger class sports car from Audi and Mercedes Benz.

The BMW M1 Hommage is developing that uses only two-seat sports car like. M1 Hommage was estimated using 4.0-liter twin turbo engine capable of spraying VW 600 hp.

In addition, the M1 Hommage will also use the technology embedded in i8 concept car, among others, the body of carbon fiber materials. The use of carbon fiber has the potential to reduce car weight to about 1250 pounds.

To improve performance, the design of the M1 Hommage also pay attention to aerodynamics. Namely the use of components such as fins that can change shape at high speed. The same thing has also been applied in the Ferrari 458 Italia.

With the M1 Hommage a variety of technologies will be able to run 100 km / h in three seconds danger. While the maximum speed reached 321 km / hour.

The plan, this car concept began to be exhibited in 2014. While the new car will be released to the market around 2016.

BMW M1 Hommage himself had produced in 1978. When the M1 use 3.500cc engine capable of spitting out 273 hp. BMW also only produce 456 units. Production was terminated in 1981.

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2014 BMW X5

n fact, BMW shied away from the term SUV, instead minting a new phrase: Sports Activity Vehicle.

As one might expect, the BMW-branded utility vehicle drove smaller than it was and offered excellent comfort. One could even have described it as sporty. And many did.

Fast forward nearly a decade and a half and the these attributes continue to be emphasized on thethird generation X5.

SAME OLD STYLE

Judging from the exterior design, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that the new X5 is a lot like the old one. Sure it has the same wheelbase, but this new generation of X5 is wider, lower and longer, growing discreetly in size.

There are also a few new details that help this X5 stand out from previous models, like the new look headlights that connect to the signature grille. Fog lights have moved up and are more centered, while down low there are new “Air Breather” slats cut into the front bumper, with “Air curtain” vents on the fenders, both of which to combine to reduce drag around the front wheels. Around back you’ll spot a redesigned set of tail lights and bumper-integrated exhaust pipes.

Modernized? Certainly. But if the look of BMW’s premium crossover didn’t work for you in the past, the new model will do little to change your mind.

Helping the big vehicle stay nimble and fuel conscious, BMW has cut almost 200 lbs. of weight. Combined with other improvements like the standard 8-speed automatic, electric power steering and improved performance from the 4.4L V8 engine, you can expect to get about two more miles per gallon on the highway with the most powerful xDrive50i models.

Those looking for the best fuel economy will find the diesel powered xDrive35d to fit the bill, although the diesel engine requires a $1,500 premium over the similarly equipped gasoline model. Finally, a new base sDrive35i model is available using the 3.0L turbo-six motor but is without all-wheel drive, sending power to the rear wheels.

INTERIOR AMBIENCE

Step into the new X5 and it’s clear that BMW put a focus on delivering a premium atmosphere. Gone are the odd hard-plastics and in their place is not only a sense of luxury, but style too. While BMW’s are known for swaying on the conservative side of things (save for red-leather) when it comes to interior design, the X5’s dash and cabin shows a bit more flow and flair.

Two specialty interior design packages are available: one featuring Ivory White Nappa Leather upholstery contrasted with a grey leather dash and oak wood trim, while the Mocha Interior design package features sexy brown upholstery (which has a slick sheen just like roasted coffee beans) and is paired with black leather on the dash, and a brighter wood trim. Both design packages represent the sort of luxury and trim you would expect in the brand’s flagship 7 series.

The X5 comes standard with just enough goodies to set it apart from its competitors. The new iDrive system works wonderfully with the standard navigation system thanks to a new touch-pad placed right on top of the controller.

Other excellent standard features include heated seats, a basic parking assist, a power lift gate, a panoramic moon roof and two-zone automatic climate control.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Mercedes ML550 Review

Our models also showcased the upgraded audio systems. Catering to the high-class audiophiles BMW offers either an $875 HarmanKardon system, or a 1,200-watt, 16 speaker Bang & Olufsen system. While the B&O system is quite impressive, it’s hard to recommend spending $3,635 upgrading to it over the already sublime Harman system.

Like BMW’s other offerings, choosing an X5 fit for you means sifting through plenty of pricey options. Our top pick includes the Driver Assistance package which adds a spiffy heads-up display and rear-view camera for $1,400 – the latter of which really should be standard on all trims.

BMW AND DYNAMICS GO LIKE PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE

The testers we had a chance to pilot also featured BMW’s optional dynamic handling package. For $4,500 it adds an adaptable suspension with an automatic self-leveling rear suspension. Expensive, yes, but from behind the wheel it feels worth every penny.

Past X5s felt in tune with the road but to a fault, meaning a few bumps and potholes could interrupt the smooth driving experience. The new X5 features a revised suspension setup and with the additional dynamic handling package, proves to be a huge improvement. Not only is the ride smoother but noticeably quieter too.

Click the dynamic handling switch to Sport or Sport + and you’re reminded just what made the X5 so popular in the first place. The electric power steering becomes heavy and precise, while the chassis feels tighter. Throttle response, which is already excellent in the turbocharged V8 model, gets a bit more sensitive and the transmission holds on to gears for longer, foregoing fuel economy, while making this vehicle feel like one of BMW’s sportier sedans.

Still, the X5 is not without its compromises. While the ability to turn on its sporty mode with the flick of a button is appreciated, its default settings are rather lazy and uninvolved; unbecoming of a BMW.

Speaking of un-BMW-like, the auto-start-stop system which turns off the vehicle’s engine when coming to a stop is as coarse as ever and seems like a questionable decision when you’re at the helm of a 4.4L V8. The diesel model also exhibits some signs of lagginess, especially when getting going from a stop.

YOUR NEEDED DOSE OF ENGINE

Besides those minor complaints, both engines sampled are impressive. The turbocharged 4.4L V8 sounds great and is silky smooth, delivering 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, a nice increase from the last generation model and now helps the big vehicle reach 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. Getting 17 MPG combined (14 MPG city, 22 MPG highway), the big engine seems a bit wasteful, especially since the diesel engine feels so good.

While official numbers for xDrive35d are yet to be announced, we saw numbers close to 26 mpg while on a spirited highway drive route. With the new generation model now receiving the 8-speed automatic in addition to weight savings, it’s expected to see better fuel efficiency numbers than the last diesel X5. The diesel model responds well, and has tons of mid-range punch. While it wheezes out a bit in the higher-end of the tach, the spirit of the vehicle is still intact, and just like the V8 engine, helps make the SUV feel agile and willing.

THE VERDICT

It’s difficult to look at the exterior of the X5 and imagine that it would drive so well - its chunky proportions hinting at a truck-like drive. And yet the engine hides the car’s size well, the chassis feels tight and capable, while the transmission is snappy, helping to deliver a driving experience unlike its German rivals (Porsche aside).

Starting at $53,725 for the rear-wheel drive sDrive35i, and scaling all the way up to $69,125 for the xDrive50i, the BMW X5 is well priced at $5,000 more than the Mercedes M-Class, yet $10,000 less than a Range Rover Sport.

The BMW X5 finds that middle-ground sweet spot. It may just be the perfect combination of on-road performance and luxury, once again setting a benchmark for exactly what buyers are looking for in this class. By addressing key criticisms of past models without disrupting its strengths, the X5 ends up being an all-around winner, and will stand out to almost every buyer considering it.

SOURCE: http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/bmw/2014-bmw-x5-review-3492.html

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