BMW BLOG

The new X5 from HARTGE: Sporty Elegance
Extremely elegant – but not extravagant – that’s the new outfit for the X5 xDrive35d from HARTGE. All exterior components are characterised by clear lines. Thus, the front spoiler, the diffuser-like rear skirt and the two-part side sills in PUR-RIM form a harmonious ensemble that, naturally, comes with a ABE homologation (Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis – ABE).

Thanks to the HARTGE sports spring set with level control system for the rear axle, which lowers the vehicle by up to 30 mm, the X5 does not look like a SUV. This impression is underscored by the set of ‘BRILLANT CLASSIC 2′ wheels. These 22 inch rims for ultra-wide tyres – 295/30 ZR 22 at the front and 335/25 ZR 22 at the rear – are the ideal match for the sporting four-wheel drive car with appropriate

HARTGE emblems. Details such as carbon casings for exterior mirrors and stainless steel tail pieces with oval tail pipes that can be connected to the standard exhaust system underscore the sporting nature of the car.

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This year, the BMW X family has added a new member: the new entry-level SAV, X1. With the upcoming launch of this new model, BMW releases a series of photos showing the members of the X-family.

While the X5 and X6 are not due for a redesign for a few more years, the first generation X3 is ready to retire. The new, redesigned and improved model, will be launch early next year and will leave its entry-level spot to the X1, a vehicle available in the European market.

As you can see in these photos, the X5 and X6 front-end already share some common elements and even more when the X5 facelift is unveiled. The X1 is part of the latest BMW design language and some design cues are imported from the new 7 or 5 GT. Following the same path, we expect the new X3 to have a front-end close to the X1.

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For those of you that are still in doubt about the Motorsport performance outputted by the new BMW X5 M and X6 M, we have one advice: watch the video below. After seeing the impressive performance coming from the X6 M SAC, we were looking forward seeing the other “twin” on track and judging by the footage below, it does not disappoint.

The X5 M has size, speed, handling, dynamics and still features little off road capabilities. And the 0-60 mph in only 4.5 seconds…..well, that’s the cherry on the cake. We have to admit that BMW Motorsport division has done their homework with these first M SUVs and we still believe the sale numbers will be more than satisfactory. If the future reviews continue to be positive, Mercedes and Porsche will have a lot to worry about.

For those of you that might not recall, the BMW X5 M and X6 M are powered by a 4.4 liter V8 twin-turbo engine outputting 555 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 5,650 rpm. The engine uses the twin-scroll twin turbo technology with High Precision Direct Injection.

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After giving us a great article on the new BMW X6 M, the fellows at Edmunds are returning with a review of the “other twin”, BMW X5 M. The X6 M seem to impress many people and we have to admit that we’re blown away by the phenomenal performance on 0-60 mph – 4.3 seconds.

But will the X5 M match this performance?

“After driving the 2010 BMW X5 M, there were numerous subtitles for this story bouncing around in our head. Because it was only a handful of years ago, when BMW introduced the 2004 X5 4.8is, that it said, “There will never be an M version of the X5,” we were tempted to write, “Never Say Never.”

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For years, Sports Utility Vehicles have been one of the most popular choices among U.S. consumers, mostly due to the inexpensive gasoline that we all took for granted. Shortly after the gas prices skyrocketed, a shift in the car buying mentality has occurred. All of a sudden, many U.S. buyers started to look at more fuel efficient methods for transportation.

These were the same times when luxury automakers were battling with the strict emission regulations in the U.S. and fuel efficient diesel engines have been delayed due to these rules.

In an attempt to win the consumer’s confidence in diesel powerplants, BMW, Mercedes and Audi launched diesel powered vehicles of their most popular SUVs or SAV in BMW’s case. The new X5d, Mercedes GL and Audi Q7 TDI have been battling ever since to win the supremacy in this segment and several test reviews or comparisons have been printed.

Today, Wall Street Journal makes another attempt to put these three vehicles head-to-head. Let’s find out what their findings were.

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To mark the X5’s 10th birthday, BMW has launched a special edition version of the popular SAV. The model chose this time was the xDrive35d, the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six diesel with 286 horsepower.

The 10-Year Edition X5 features a new special Sophisto Grey metallic paint finish, panoramic glass sunroof and 20-inch wheels with a matte aluminum paint.

Inside, the X5 10-Year Edition gets an upgraded Nappa leather and Piano Black trim. Commemorative engraving can be found inside as well, on the sill plates and on the dashboard.

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A year ago, the Winterlinger-based tuner, Lumma Design revealed their own version of the BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle. Dubbed Lumma CLR X530, their vehicles are based on the BMW X5 3.0 diesel model. The X5 3.0d saw a power increase to 275 horsepower while the X5 3.0sd outouts now 330 horsepower.

The Lumma X5 received a wide  body kit with new front spoiler with fog lamps and racing grid, a rear apron with diffuser look, broader wheel arches and side sills.

Add to this the roof spoiler, carbon/kevlar light-weight hood Lumma mirror caps, headlight covers, taillight covers and you have one of the best looking X5 SAVs out there.

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While the first BMW X5 M and X6 M models are starting to show up at U.S. dealerships across the country, we thought it would be interesting to show you some new, real life photos of the BMW X5 M, the first Motorsport SAV built by the Munich based automaker.

BMW X5 M is powered by a tuned up 4.4 liter V8 M engine delivering 555 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 5,650 rpm. The engine uses the twin-scroll twin turbo technology with High Precision Direct Injection.

By positioning the twin-scroll turbochargers together with the catalytic converters in the “V” section between the cylinders, it minimizes the turbo lag and offers better fuel efficiency.

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We’ve being spoiled recently by all these German tuners, it seems like every week there is a new package or bodykit available for some of the current BMW models and there was no surprise today, when the famous German tuner Harge announced a new aero kit for the BMW X5.

The 2009 Hartge BMW X5 E70 body kit includes a new front spoiler, a rear skirt, left and right side sills and a stainless steel rear silencer with oval tail pipes. Along with this aero kit, Hartge also offers a sport suspension kit and a new set of multi-spoke wheels.

The Hartge X5 body parts are made from PUR-RIM, primed and comes with ABE homologation by the KBA.

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The German tuner G-Power has made a name for itself in the BMW community as being the one company that can squeeze out the most horsepower from a BMW. Their latest gimmick is the X5 Typhoon RS, an upgrade from an earlier model released in March which produced 525 horsepower.

They re-engineered the V8 4.8 liter engine and managed to squeeze out 625 horsepower and a torque of 516 lb-ft (700Nm). The engine is using the latest G-Power SK III RS Superchager with a boost pressure of 1.0 bar. This performance explosion originates in the core part of the G-POWER supercharger systems, the entirely newly developed T1-723 ASA radial supercharger which is used in the ALPINA B5S, B6S and B7 models and the  B6 GT3 race car.

The G-POWER X5 Typhoon RS runs from 0 to 62mph in 4.5 seconds and 0 to 124mph in 16 seconds. Top speed is goes past the 155mph limitation imposed by BMW: 177 mph.

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