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The new 2011 BMW X5 has been revealed and there are some changes that we know BMW enthusiasts will enjoy. Many of the changes are quite subtle but there are major changes as well.
Some of the minor changes are seen on the outside of the new X5. The front bumper and fascia have been slightly refined giving the X5 a newer more stylish and sporty look. The average consumer may not see the changes unless you point them out but the real BMW enthusiast will notice them quickly. When you make your way around to the back of the X5 you will notice that the back of the vehicle has also been redesigned giving the vehicle a more aggressive stance but these changes are also very minor. Overall, the new changes are very pleasing to the eye and we think just the styling alone will sell X5s.
The major changes to the X5 are not in the cabin but under the hood. The new X5 loses a couple of powerplants but the loses are justified. We are pleased to announce that the X5 xDrive35d will keeps its’ powerplant that was introduced in 2009. However the inline-6 engine is another story. It will be replaced not with the twin-turbo inline-6 we come to love in the 3-Series but with an all-new single turbo inline-6. The power output is expected to be the same at 300hp and 300ft-lbs of torque. This upgrade in engine also gives the X5 an upgrade in horsepower and torque. The new engine will have a 40 ponies increase and 75ft-lbs of torque over the previous inline-6. These power upgrades also warranted BMW to change the badging from X5 xDrive30i to X5 xDrive35i.
We are saddened to see the 4.8L engine leave the X5 but we are extremely excited about the replacement. The new twin-turbo 4.4L engine comes from a sister vehicle, the X6. Although the engine is smaller you can expect great things. BMW is showing an increase in horsepower, torque and the same gas mileage. This engine has an increase of 50 ponies from 350hp to 400hp. The amazing increase is in the torque. This engine increases torque by 100ft-lbs bringing the total from 350ft-lbs to 450ft-lbs. Even with this increase in horsepower and torque the new engine is expected to give you 14/19mpg. Just like the inline-6, an increase in power and engine change warrants some new badging. For 2011 the X5 xDrive48i badging will be replaced with X5 xDrive50i.
Since BMW increased the powerplants' output they also thought it would be proper to have a transmission that could not only handle the power but also put that power to use for you. The older six-speed transmission is replaced with an eight-speed automatic on the new inline-6 and V8 model. This transmission is currently used on the 7-Series twelve-cylinders. This eight-cog gearbox has more tightly spaced ratios as well as taller top gears, aiding fuel economy. It also helps in the area of engine power usage as well. More of the engine power is used for putting power to the road and not to tasks such as battery charging. We believe here at BMW of Dubuque that you will be excited with the changes and will want to take one for a test drive.
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