BMW X5

BMW X5 (E53)

Manufacturer	BMW
Production	2000–2006
Model year(s)	1999-2006
Assembly	Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Successor	BMW E70
Class	Mid-size crossover SUV
Engine(s)	3.0L 225 hp I6 4.4L 282 HP (00-03) 315 HP (04-06)  hp V8 4.6L 347 (02-03)  hp V8 4.8L 350 (04-06)  hp V8 3.0L 193/218 hp I6 Diesel
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	111.0 in (2819 mm)
Length	183.7 in (4666 mm)
Width	73.7 in (1872 mm)
Height	2000-03 V8: 67.2 in (1707 mm) 2001-03 V6: 67.5 in (1715 mm) 2004-06 V8: 69.0 in (1753 mm) 2004-06 V6: 69.3 in (1760 mm)
Fuel capacity	93 L (25 US gal; 20 imp gal)
Related	BMW E63

The BMW E53 series is the basis for the 1999 through 2006 BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). Production ceased September, 2006^[1] and has been replaced by the BMW E70. The E53 was developed at a time when BMW still owned Land Rover and as such shares many components and designs with both Land Rover and also the BMW E39 5-series.^{[citation needed]}

History

The history of the X5 begins in the late 1990s, when Chris Bangle drew the first sketches at the BMW DesignworksUSA studio in California. In many ways, the current car closely resembles these initial sketches.

The takeover of Rover proved to be very beneficial for BMW in the development of the X5. BMW engineers were able to look at and use Range Rover technology and parts in the development of the X5 - one such example would be hill-descent control. In many respects, the design of the X5 was influenced by its British counterpart; for example, the X5 got the two-piece tailgate straight from the Range Rover. Many parts and electronics were also taken directly from the E39 5 Series parts bin to save costs.

In contrast to the Range Rover models, the X5 was designed as a sporting road car: its off-road capabilities are significantly less than those of Land Rover. BMW reportedly worked hard to ensure it was referred to as an SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) instead of an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle).

Even though the X5 was an all-wheel drive vehicle, BMW chose from the start to route 62% of the engine's torque to the rear wheels, making it feel as close as possible to the company's rear-wheel drive sedans.

Production

The X5, along with the BMW Z4 roadster, BMW X6, and soon BMW X3 are currently manufactured in BMW's South Carolina plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

X5 LM

A one-off version known as the X5 LM was equipped with the M70 S70B56 V12 engine from the Le Mans winning BMW V12 LMR. It was used by Hans Joachim Stuck to set a lap record at the Nürburgring in 2000.

4.6is

A sporty model badged 4.6is was released in 2002, having both exterior and interior decorations, including 20-inch wheels. The 4.6L V8 engine was derived from the 4.4L V8, tuned by M GmbH. A sporty model badged 4.8is was also released a few years later replacing the 4.6 engine with a 4.8 liter and was labeled "fastest SUV in the world".

2004 facelift

For 2004 the X5 was facelifted with new headlights, a few new exterior colors, a new four-wheel drive system and upgraded engines. The grilles were enlarged, as well as their actual slats being modified in a 'flame surfaced' style. In keeping with the E39 facelift of 2001, the 2004 X5's headlights got "angel-eyes" (rings or halos around all front headlamps). The taillights also received a facelift similar to the BMW E39, and the exterior glass went from a "dotted" pattern to a cleaner "line" pattern. BMW invented a new four-wheel drive system dubbed xDrive shared both in the X5 and X3 in 2004. Instead of using the previous X5 system which consisted of power being split 62-38 (rear wheels-front wheels) and DSC to brake wheels losing traction, xDrive could vary power to the front or rear axles in milliseconds, transferring up to 100% of engine power to either axle, thus allowing the vehicle to regain traction quickly.

The X5 got the new 4.4i engine which debuted in the 2002 7-Series; power output rose from 290 to 315 hp (242 kW). Also from April onwards, a new X5 4.8is was offered (see below), giving the driver 355 hp (265 kW) and making it the third fastest SUV.^{[citation needed]}

Several new extras were added to the 2004 X5 such as:

• Soft-boot close feature (the top part of the trunk pulls itself closed)
• Trailer Stability Program (making it an ideal tow vehicle)
• Adaptive Headlights (available only with xenon HID headlamps; these swivel with the direction of travel of the car)

Originally announced in the end of 2003 along with the rest of the X5 facelift, the X5 4.8is first started shipping in April 2004. In had a new larger 4.8 L engine (which replaced the 4.6 L engine), and was also later used in the 2005 750i/Li. It also included a slightly modified bodykit (parts of the bottom bumper became painted the body color), 20" wheels, and along with the 4.6is, were the only X5's ever to have a large chrome-tipped exhaust which hid the quad pipes.

2005

Along with the rest of the BMW lineup (apart from the E65 7 series), the X5 got Bluetooth kits straight from the factory if ordered with the Premium Package.

Specifically, the 4.4i & 4.8is models got xenon HID headlamps as standard equipment in the United States.

2006

The X5 was not fitted with the new BMW R6 engine, which increased power for both the 2.5i and 3.0i I6 versions of the 2006 X3 and Z4 significantly. It is rumored that BMW held back deploying the engine in the 2006 X5 so as not to waste development costs in retooling the assembly line, and to make way for a more dramatic unveiling of the all new 2007 BMW X5. In fact, 2006 also marks the end of the E53 X5 as well.

X5 Security

It is an X5 variant with safety glass, heavy-duty material and ballistics-resistant steel.^[2] debuted at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[3]

Specifications

Model lineup

Awards

• Winner of Australia's Best Luxury Four Wheel Drive in 2001 and 2002.

See also

• BMW X5
• BMW E70
• BMW Sports Activity Series

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: BMW X5 (E53)