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BMW lowers entry price on X5 with new models


Most SUVs don't need all-wheel-drive. Many never venture off road, tackling nothing more challenging than a large speed bump or gutter. And all-wheel-drive systems add weight, while increasing cost and hurting fuel economy. BMW, well aware of the city-dwelling habitat of most of the SUVs it sells, is now offering both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive versions of the 25d that arrives this week as a new entry point to the X5 range.

Priced from $82,900 the new X5 sDrive25d is also the first X5 to be offered with a four-cylinder engine. The 2.0-litre twin turbo diesel unit churns out 160kW and 450Nm of torque, while the gears are handled by the same eight-speed automatic used by the rest of the X5 range, though you'll have to plump for the more powerful and expensive xDrive35i and above to gain steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Fuel economy is quoted as an impressive 5.8L/100km for the sDrive25d and 6.0L/100km for its $87,900 all-wheel-drive equivalent.

The introduction of the new four-cylinder variants has dropped the X5 entry price by around $10,000 over the previous generation. However, to accommodate the new models the price of the popular xDrive30d model has risen by over $6000 to $99,900. However, BMW says buyers are getting more standard equipment than before, including Parking Assistant and forward collision and pedestrian warning systems.

BMW Australia expects customers to react positively to the new entry-level X5 models. "Both of these variants promise to be a cracking success, delivering typical BMW X5 performance and dynamics and the high levels of sophistication our customers have come to expect," spokesperson Toni Andreevski said.

Also joining the X5 range this month are the xDrive35i and xDrive40d models. Priced from $106,900 the 35i is powered by BMW's award winning 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six engine which produces 225kW and 400Nm of torque. The sprint from zero to 100km/h takes 6.5 seconds (0.3 seconds quicker than before), while fuel consumption is rated at 8.5l/100km (down 1.6l/100km).

The xDrive40d starts at $115,900 and employs a 3.0-litre twin turbo diesel straight six engine. With 230kW and a storming 630Nm of torque on tap, the 40d can sprint to three figures in just 5.9 seconds. And still, provided you're wearing your softest slippers, fuel consumption of just 6.2L/100km is achievable.  The 35i and 40d X5 models also feature a leather-covered dashboard, sports seats and a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound system over lesser models.  All of the new X5 models are on sale now, covered by BMW's Condition Based Service program.

2014 BMW X5 pricing (including GST and LCT, but excluding on-roads)

BMW X5 sDrive25d $82,900
BMW X5 xDrive25d $87,900
BMW X5 xDrive30d $99,900
BMW X5 xDrive35i $106,900
BMW X5 xDrive40d $115,900
BMW X5 xDrive50i $133,900
BMW X5 M50d $147,900