BMW X Models 2013 News

Manufacturers including BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Peugeot and Citroen have issued recalls via the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced another round of safety recalls, with models from Mazda, Holden, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar affected.

European manufacturers Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover and Peugeot have all issued recent recall notices.

While Australian VW owners continue to wait to find out if their cars are affected, should BMW buyers be worried too?

The New York motor show in April will see the announcement of which vehicle has won the 2014 World COTY, and there looks to be a tough -- and very varied -- field of finalists.Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf, which also took awards in pretty well every country on the globe. But this year it could be anything from the little electric BMW i3 to the offroading Jeep Cherokee and even the Citroen C4 peoplemover, judging by the shortlist.A panel of 69 motoring experts from around the world -- including Carsguide's Paul Gover and National Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling -- will choose the winner from: Audi A3, BMW 4 Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.The 10 finalists for the 2014 World Luxury Car are the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW X5, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac Escalade, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport and Rolls-Royce Wraith.Due to a tie, there are 11 finalists for the 2014 World Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ford Fiesta ST, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf GTI.A separate panel of five 'green' experts will choose the 2014 World Green Car from Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (+ Audi e-gas), BMW i3, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen XL1.Similarly, a panel of five design experts will decide on the 2014 World Car Design of the Year, from among: BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda3, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen XL1.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

BMW has issued a safety recall for a total of 2894 cars sold between November 1 2012 and July 31 2013 for a defect that could see a lack of lubrication cause the vacuum pump to fail and reduce the effectiveness of the brake assist function that adds extra force for panic stops.The carmaker says however that the vehicles will still be able to brake under normal circumstances. "They don't lose braking ability, but still lose brake assistance," BMW Australia spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says. The affected vehicles are: the F20 1 Series; F30, F31 and F34 3 Series; F10 and F11 5 Series; E84 X1 compact crossover;  F25 X3 Series and E89 Z4 sports car.Fletcher says there have been no accidents or injuries, but a small number of vehicles have experienced the problem. "There have been about six or seven reports," she says. "We believe that only about 0.5 per cent of the vehicles in the recall will need fixing."An inspection taking less than an hour will determine if a vehicle needs the fix -- which will require up to another five hours. "We'll replace the component, and while parts can sometimes be an issue, ours are being airfreighted from Germany right now," Fletcher says. BMW says concerned owners should contact their nearest BMW service centre, or call 1800 813 299.

Need to do the school run, but worried about having to dodge bullets -- and possibly machine-gun or mortar fire? It's a war zone out there, and you need a rolling fortress like BMW's armoured X5.Based on the third-generation X5 arriving here in November, the X5 Security Plus offers what BMW says is the world's first armoured 'Sports Activity Vehicle' to have a VR6 rating, meaning it's able to withstand attack from weapons like the AK-47 and simultaneous detonation of two DM51 hand grenades under the body.You'd never know, at a casual glance. The BMW X5 Security Plus  -- and its VR4-rated sibling, the X5 Security -- discreetly look like normal vehicles, and it would take a trained eye to spot the armoured enhancements.For the VR6 rating this means an armoured passenger cell built from high-performance steel, including sealed joints in critical areas to stop bullets or shrapnel. The glass is a security laminate about 3cm thick with an inner polycarbonate coating to prevent cracking, and the engine electronics are protected by ballistic-warding aramid mats.But there's no point in warding off an attack if you can't get away, so under the bonnet is a 330kW twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine with drive going to all four wheels. They're shod with run-flat tyres,  foiling any plans to puncture tem and stop your escape, and giving you a range of 150km -- easily enough to get well away from even the toughest supermarket carpark altercation.The extra wardrobe brings extra weight and a higher centre of gravity, but BMW has adapted the chassis, electronic management and brake systems to cope --  and claims the Security models perform and handle similarly to normal X5s.There are also optional LED flashing front lights and rear LED messaging board, and while we can all think of some uses for these, they're available only to official authorities.The armoured X5s are already being used here and overseas by government departments, but are also being bought by private owners, BMW Australia says -- although they stop short of revealing how many are sold."It's quite low numbers -- it's quite a specialised area," BMW spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says. "They are used by governmental organisations around the world, but some of them do go into the private sector."Obviously the majority of people who buy those cars don't necessarily want us to talk about it -- they have high-security, high-profile clients and they need their privacy to be respected," she says.Fletcher says that the handover process for the Security models goes well beyond the full-tank-and-carwash you'll get from a normal new car dealer."We have our own special vehicles division here in Australia who have the knowledge of the vehicles and are able to do a fairly comprehensive handover to the client," she says. "But on an international basis there are also specialised areas, like a  security driving school with different levels of expertise -- because if you are going to buy one of the cars, you'll need to know how to operate them correctly."Fletcher would not be drawn on the full specifics of the training, but said it covered a range of terrains and conditions -- including night-driving, rain, snow and ice  -- all with a focus on a safe exit."The training is specifically designed to ensure the ongoing security of your passengers if you are in a situation that may compromise their security," she says. "It focuses on avoidance of accidents and intervention by other vehicles."However she is unable to give an idea of what this level of vehicular confidence will cost you, saying that the price depends on individual specification. And while the adage is that if you have to ask, you can't afford it, we think that if you have good reason to be asking the price of an armoured BMW, you probably can afford it.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Mercedes-Benz will build a new low-roofed coupe-SUV crossover to face off against the BMW X6. A Mercedes executive told Car and Driver magazine that while an X6 rival would be something of a bizarre vehicle, it would make a lot of financial sense for the German carmaker. The executive said the business case had a strong foundation in that development costs would be relatively modest, while profit margins would be high. The crossover segments are growing around the world: not only in Australia, Europe and the US, but also -- and possibly more importantly -- in the developing markets of Asia, So Mercedes logically believes adding more to their lineup makes good business sense. Mercedes first hinted at a low-roofed coupe/SUV chimera a couple of years ago, when it announced that it would begin producing a second model alongside the M-Class at its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant in the US. A Mercedes publicity image showed a cloaked vehicle with the profile of an X6 rival, with the tagline "Start of Production: 2015." The new model -- which is likely to be based on the M-Class -- would slot into the line-up as a big brother to the recently-unveiled GLA-Class. But they're not the only German brand to be eying the success of BMW's X6. Audi has also discussed the possibility of developing a sporty, low-roofed crossover. As far back as 2011, Volkswagen Group head of design Walter de'Silva said Audi was planning to launch a sporty crossover that would slot between the Q5 and Q7. Unofficially known as Q6, this crossover could end up being a bit smaller than the midsize X6 and ML-based vehicles; in which case it would more comfortably be positioned against the future BMW X4. www.motorauthority.com  

Armoured vehicles are a necessary form of transportation in certain parts of the world. The occupants need to be protected, so they turn to vehicles that offer up a sense of comfort as well as a sense of security and safety.These vehicles don't have to be large, military-based monstrosities either. In fact, the modern armoured vehicle looks very normal from the outside. It's only when you start taking a closer look that you realise something different is going on under the skin.BMW has some customers in various regions of the world that need more protection than seat belts and airbags can provide. They now have a vehicle that's up to the task in the form of the X5 Security Plus concept.The BMW X5 Security Plus, based on the latest 2014 X5, features a body that's been built around an armoured passenger cell. It's constructed of high-strength steel and is capable of protecting four occupants from an assault by AK-47 machine guns.The panel gaps are backed by sealed joints which prevent bullet fragments from sneaking past, and the windows are made from a polycarbonate material which can also handle attacks from blunt weapons. The glass will not shatter into the cabin.Of course, it's still a BMW, which means it can also use its performance to get the driver and passengers out of harm's way. Under the hood is a turbocharged V8 engine that produces 335kW.BMW has worked to refine the chassis and engine management so that it handles the extra weight from the security features. The automaker has stated this allows the X5 Security Plus to handle just as a standard X5 would. That's important, because escaping the second round of attacks is just as important as surviving the first round.www.motorauthority.com

Some crossovers and SUVs have gone through seemingly radical transformations as of late, perhaps risking rugged reputations in favour of a little more on-road finesse and dynamic vigour. That's not so much the case with the all-new 2014 X5; BMW keeps the focus of the X5 remarkably close to that of its original 'Sports Activity Vehicle' mantra--except there's more technology and style, warmer cabin appointments, and a little more lean performance.While the second-generation model that was introduced for 2007, BMW introduced more power, better handling, and an array of in-cabin luxury and technology features that was more in sync with what you might find in the automaker's flagship sedan models. The all-new third-generation X5, which will reach US dealerships beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013, takes it a step further.Initially, there will be three models in the X5 lineup. The familiar 220 kW, 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo in-line six-cylinder engine is the base engine, in the xDrive35i, while the X5 xDrive50i includes the 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8, making 330 kW and 650 Nm of torque, as low as 2,000 rpm. Then a few months later, an xDrive35d model will join the lineup, powered by a 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo in-line six-cylinder diesel engine, producing 190 kW and 560 Nm. Acceleration times are improved throughout, with V8 models capable of getting to 100 km/h in just 5 seconds and xDrive35i models making the dash in 6.2 seconds. And for the first time--perhaps eyeing the success that Infiniti has had with its FX--BMW is adding a rear-wheel-drive sDrive35i model.Curb weight is reduced by up to about 100 kg--enough of a difference that we expect to feel behind the wheel. There's also new electric power steering throughout the model line. All models include an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all but the base sDrive35i have xDrive all-wheel drive. Click into Eco Pro mode, and the X5 will recalibrate a host of systems for better fuel-efficiency, with Auto Start/Stop included.There's plenty of emphasis (and some important option boxes to check) on road performance. Go for the Dynamic Handling Package, and you'll get Active Roll Stabilization in addition to Dynamic Damper Control and a rear air suspension. Opt for the M Sport model and you can get an Adaptive M suspension that pairs Dynamic Damper Control and the air suspension with a stiffer, sport-tuned setup.One chassis advancement is Dynamic Performance Control (part of the Dynamic Handling Package), a system that manages xDrive and more finely controls the power split for the system, taking “handling dynamics and directional stability to new levels,” according to BMW.The new X5 has been nipped, tucked, and far more gracefully sculpted than the models before it—and you can see influences from the latest X3 along with BMW's latest sedans. The combination of tapered roofline and somewhat lowered beltline give the X5 a bit more of a sport-wagon look than before. Meanwhile, the front airdam design is complex, with several levels of detailing that come together in a way that's possibly overwrought (we'll wait 'til we see it in person).The front kidney grille is “thrust forward,” as BMW puts it, while it's supplemented with a smirk of a horizontal intake just below—and a larger intake down below. Headlights are set high up, and better-detailed than ever. Meanwhile, alongside BMW succumbs to the side-gill look, with a character line swooping upward to the LED taillights, which notch inward at a cleanly styled hatch.Those side gills, however, are functional—part of new drag-reducing Air Curtains that guide airflow around wheel arches. Meanwhile, the X5 is the first BMW to feature so-called Aero Blades—air-channeling elements that work together with the roof spoiler.Inside, the design will be instantly familiar to anyone who's been in other late-model BMWs. Only here the horizontal-shelf layout, with a cockpit-style instrument zone, is wrapped over (and just behind) by a separate layer that merges in with the rest of the dash at the door trim. Poplar wood trim is standard, and Dakota leather upholstery is standard on the xDrive50i and available on the other models. For the first time, two interior design packages (Ivory White and Mocha) bring lighter or warmer interior combinations than what's been previously offered by BMW.Luxury Line and xLine packages bring more personalization, with coordinated interior trims that are a step more attention-getting—with Satin Aluminum and high-gloss finishes in the xLine and a blacked-out grille chrome strips, and some sporty cues for the Luxury Line. The M Sport adds a body kit, Shadowline trim, high-gloss roof rails, sport seats, an anthracite headliner, and various other high-performance cues.The second-row seat in the X5 can now be split 40/20/40, for more flexibility, and they're adjustable for rake. If you get the optional third-row seats, there's separately a new Easy Entry function. Overall cargo capacity is up seven percent versus the previous model, BMW says, and there are new storage and door pockets that can hold larger bottles. The tailgate is still split in two sections, with the upper section including power operation. Get the power tailgate system, and it can be opened from the keyfob or the driver's seat.Active-safety features are heavily represented in the X5's hefty list of options. LED front foglamps are included across the model line; all X5 models now include Adaptive Xenon headlamps, while Adaptive LED headlamps are optional. New features include the Active Driving Assistant (Lane Departure Warning, and a pedestrian collision system with braking), plus ACC Stop & Go (full-range camera-radar cruise control), and a new Traffic Jam Assistant that maintains following distance and keeps the vehicle at the center of its lane by providing steering input. BMW Night Vision and a head-up display remain on offer, as well as a Parking Assistant, Surround View system, and Active Blind Spot Detection.Advanced Real Time Traffic Information is also available as part of a BMW Assist Convenience Plan, and BMW Apps (now with various audio-app options) are now standard. And buyers have a choice of two premium-audio systems—Harman Kardon or Bang & Olufsen. A BMW Navigation system is standard in all U.S. X5 models, and it has a new freestanding 10.2-inch screen and touch pad.http://www.thecarconnection.com