‘The Boss’ of SAVs: Autowelt Cebu unveils all-new BMW X5

The all-new BMW X5 at the Autowelt BMW Cebu showroom.
(CDN PHOTO/CHOY ROMANO)

Autowelt BMW Cebu introduced to the Cebuano market the all-new third-generation BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) at its showroom in Nivel Hills in Lahug, Cebu City over the weekend.
The new X5, which Autowelt marketing manager Ludwig Federigan tags as the “boss of SAVs,” sports a revised exterior, a techy interior, and powerful yet fuel-efficient engines.
Its rivals include the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, the Land Rover LR4, the Audi Q7 and the Infiniti QX70.
The X5 was introduced to the Philippine market in 2002, and became the pioneering face of the luxury SAV segment.
The five-seater X5 will come in either the Standard, Design Pure Excellence or the Design Pure Experience variants.
All three will be powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged, straight-six diesel producing 258 PS and 560 Nm of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
Cebu Daily News was given a chance to drive the X5 last Thursday. We had a first-hand experience of the X5’s power, driving along the winding and steep roads of Busay without a problem.
BMW claims the X5 does 0 to 100 kilometers per hour (km/h) in 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 230 km/h. But it isn’t just fast and powerful. BMW also says the X5 can achieve an average fuel consumption figure of over 16 km/liter.

Driving the X5 along the steep and winding roads of Busay was no problem.
(CDN PHOTO/CHOY ROMANO)

Other highlights include BMW’s Efficient Dymanics technology, which includes features like air curtains, brake energy regeneration and automatic engine stop-start.
The drag-reducing air curtains are vertical apertures that guide the inflowing air around the wheel arches, where it creates a curtain of air over the wheel, before escaping through the air breathers in the side panels.
Outside, the X5 has noted differences from its predecessor. It has a more squinted headlights that give it a bolder stance and prominent kidney grilles that make BMW’s presence stand out. The rear is highlighted by wide light-emitting diode (LED) tail lights and twin exhaust pipes.
Inside, the X5 boasts of leather, wood and brushed aluminum trims and LED ambient lights.
Catching our attention was the standard 10.2-inch screen connected to BMW’s iDrive infotainment system. The bigger screen also shows the X5’s navigation system and its rear camera when backing up.
Considering all these features, we think BMW has succeeded in coming up with a better X5. The Munich-based automaker has indeed made a car that’s not just fit for the bosses, but is a boss itself on the road.