Munich. One day the new BMW X5 is being tested at the
polar circle and the next it is already doing laps on the Nürburgring:
The driving trials for the successor of the current BMW X5 test both
the car’s endurance as well as its versatility. The new Sports
Activity Vehicle (SAV) is undergoing an exceptionally demanding and
varied testing program as part of its series development process. The
prototypes of the new BMW X5 must not only stand the test in all the
world’s climate zones, but also master every kind of terrain. Here the
completely new suspension technology must prove its qualities.
As the first all-wheel vehicle to thrill drivers with the brand’s
typical driving pleasure on winding country roads and long stretches
of motorway, the first-generation BMW X5 laid the foundation for the
completely new Sports Activity Vehicle category nearly two decades
ago. In the coming fourth model generation, the car’s allround talents
are brought to the fore as prominently as never before. This is
achieved by the introduction of new suspension and chassis systems,
which are available for the first time in a BMW X model and are
virtually unique within the competitive field. The new offroad package
for example offers an impressive combination of highest-level ride
comfort on the road and the possibility of changing the vehicle setup
at the press of a button to suit the conditions of driving off the
beaten track perfectly. Be it snow, sand, rocks or gravel roads – the
new BMW X5 has the perfect powertrain and suspension setup for each surface.
The prototypes proved how capably the new BMW X5 accelerates, steers
and brakes in the winter test centre in Arjeplog, Sweden, on South
African gravel tracks and the in desert dune landscapes of the USA.
They were subjected both to maximum cold and scorching heat. Extremely
dry mountain terrain as well as tropical humidity and muddy tracks had
to be mastered by the new BMW X5. And since this endurance testing
only proves part of the car’s unmistakable character, the testing
series conducted on the BMW Group’s testing grounds in Miramas in the
South of France, on the high-speed circuit in Talladega in the US
state of Alabama and on the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany were
equally important. The information and insights gained here show that
the new BMW X5 meets the very highest demands with regard to agility,
precision, control and comfort, especially thanks to the Adaptive M
Suspension Professional and the Integral Active Steering, which is
also being offered for the first time.