| BMW announced pricing for the third-generation 2014 X5 lineup, including the first-ever rear-wheel-drive version of the popular SUV. Called the X5 sDrive35i and powered by BMW's ubiquitous turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, the rear-drive base model is priced at $53,725; that translates into a price hike of $5300 versus last year's all-wheel-drive base model. Also available at launch late this year are the all-wheel-drive xDrive35i and xDrive50i, with starting prices of $56,025 and $69,125; those are increases of $7600 and $4000, respectively, over 2013 models. A diesel variant, the xDrive35d, arrives early next year and starts at $57,525—that's actually $100 less than the 2013 model.From the outside, the X5 looks a little chunkier, but BMW says the curb weights for the new X5 xDrive35i and X5 xDrive50i have been reduced by around 170 and 230 pounds, respectively. Output from the base inline-six motivating the sDrive35i and xDrive35i remains unchanged from 2013 at 300 horsepower, but the xDrive50i is more powerful than before. Its twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 now makes 445 horsepower, a 45-hp bump. All 2014 X5 models use an eight-speed automatic transmission; stop-start is now standard across the lineup, along with brake energy regeneration and electric power steering. On the inside, navigation is now standard and includes a 10.2-inch display and touchpad interface. Three trim lines are available in addition to the base model: Luxury, xLine and M Sport. Both the Luxury and xLine X5s include gloss-black exterior details; Luxury mixes in bright chrome exterior trim, while xLine uses more matte silver. M Sport models gets darker exterior trim and, inside, paddle shifters, an M-sport steering wheel, and sport seats. Each optional trim line is available with 19-inch or staggered-width 20-inch wheels. BMW also offers a choice of two interior upgrades: Ivory White or Mocha. These include Nappa leather with contrasting stitching for the seats and dash along with Fineline wood trim in place of the standard poplar. A host of individual options also are available, such as adaptive LED headlights in place of the standard xenon units, and driver assistance systems including collision avoidance and automatic parking. All-wheel-drive X5 models can be equipped with BMW's Dynamic Handling package that bundles adaptive dampers and torque vectoring to improve handling. An adaptive M suspension is also available on M Sport models and includes firmer settings when in Sport and Sport+ modes. Pricing for options has yet to be released.
The new X5 costs five grand more than last year's model and all-wheel drive is extra, but at least it comes with navigation. That and the X5′s optional seven-passenger capability are nice-to-have features, but will they be enough to win over shoppers considering the rear-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz ML350, which starts at less than $50,000?  from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
No comments:
Post a Comment