As the BMW iX continues its successful trek forward as Bavaria's all electric, technological flagship, BMW has unveiled refreshed versions of the X5 and X6 - still powered by its famed combustion engines, but now aided slightly by electrification for better performance and efficiency.
To begin, while retaining the brand's hallmark head lights and kidney grille, the X5's face has been significantly sharpened by new head light units with a 35mm slimmer outline. These feature arrow-shaped daytime driving light elements, which also function as signal indicators. All of these characteristics have also been transferred onto the X6's new face.
The X5's redesigned head lights are slimmer than before, and feature arrow-shaped elements The X5 also has what BMW is calling newly designed 'air breathers' on its front side panels. Its redesigned L-shaped taillights are now also reflected horizontally, and create a consistently illuminated 'X' motif.
As the arguably more 'dynamic' half of the duo, the new X6 is now offered with the M Sport package as standard. Apart from an octagonal front-end signature beneath its grille and the 3D sculpting of its front apron, this also includes M-specific side skirts, a generous use of black surfaces, and new, trapezoidal tailpipe trims at its rear.
But it's not just on the outside where the cars make their progress clear. Like their other brethren, the BMW X5 and X6 now also run BMW Operating System 8. This is brought to life on the firm's now-signature Curved Display, which combines two screens (a 12.3-inch digital cluster for the driver and another 14.9-inch touchscreen one for infotainment) beneath a single glass surface.
A new ambient light bar ahead of the front passenger features relevant model lettering A key part of the new dash is an ambient light bar with LED backlighting, running right across the front passenger area. Relevant model lettering - either 'X5' or 'X6' - is integrated into its graphics, while the flagship M Performance variants (more on those later) display the 'M' logo.
Additionally, the instrument panel and centre console of both cars feature more touch-sensitive surfaces and a fresh, crystalline gear selector lever not unlike those found on the iX, 7 Series/i7 and X7. Fine wood finished in gloss covers most of the surfaces up front.
While the X5 and X6 are still offered with BMW's straight-six and V8 turbocharged engines, a couple of updates promise to augment the driving experience in their facelifted forms. As standard, an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, paired with gearshift paddles, is offered across the range.
All variants of the X5 and X6 now integrate 48V mild hybrid tech for better performance and efficiency Most significantly, all the drive units now incorporate 48V mild hybrid technology, thanks to an electric motor integrated into the transmission. BMW claims this helps provide a power boost of up to 12bhp (9kW) and 200Nm for a more dynamic drive, while achieving better efficiency.
Specifically, xDrive40i variants of both cars are powered by the firm's 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine. Thanks to latest-generation innovations, the new unit produces an extra 47bhp and 70Nm of torque over outgoing models. With 376bhp and 540Nm of torque in boost, the cars hit 100km/h from rest in just 5.4 seconds.
Similarly, the six-cylinder diesel unit in the xDrive30d variants has been updated, and works with the mild hybrid system to produce 294bhp and 670Nm of torque.
The X5 and X6 M60i xDrive are powered by a 4.4-litre V8, and fitted with Adaptive M Suspension For the more manic, the X5 M60i xDrive and X6 M60i xDrive receive a 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 in the hands of BMW's M Performance division. 523bhp and an incredible 750Nm of torque help the cars complete the century sprint in just 4.3 seconds.
The performance-oriented duo also receives Adaptive M suspension, Integral Active Steering, and 21-inch wheels as standard.
Introduced specifically in this mid-life facelift, however, is a new plug-in hybrid variant of the X5 featuring a drive system that BMW claims has been completely reworked.
A newly designated PHEV variant of the X5 - the xDrive50e - boasts an electric range of up to 110km Designated as the X5 xDrive50e, the car boasts a WLTP-rated electric range between 94km to 110km thanks to a 25.7kWh battery, which has a higher charging rate now of 7.4kW.
Combining a new electric motor with the firm's latest-gen inline-six petrol engine also gives the xDrive50e a combined torque of 700Nm, on top of 483bhp.
Both the new X5 and X6 will be built at the BMW Group Plant Spartanburg (in the U.S.A), and are set for a global launch in April 2023 - just two months from now.
To begin, while retaining the brand's hallmark head lights and kidney grille, the X5's face has been significantly sharpened by new head light units with a 35mm slimmer outline. These feature arrow-shaped daytime driving light elements, which also function as signal indicators. All of these characteristics have also been transferred onto the X6's new face.
As the arguably more 'dynamic' half of the duo, the new X6 is now offered with the M Sport package as standard. Apart from an octagonal front-end signature beneath its grille and the 3D sculpting of its front apron, this also includes M-specific side skirts, a generous use of black surfaces, and new, trapezoidal tailpipe trims at its rear.
But it's not just on the outside where the cars make their progress clear. Like their other brethren, the BMW X5 and X6 now also run BMW Operating System 8. This is brought to life on the firm's now-signature Curved Display, which combines two screens (a 12.3-inch digital cluster for the driver and another 14.9-inch touchscreen one for infotainment) beneath a single glass surface.
Additionally, the instrument panel and centre console of both cars feature more touch-sensitive surfaces and a fresh, crystalline gear selector lever not unlike those found on the iX, 7 Series/i7 and X7. Fine wood finished in gloss covers most of the surfaces up front.
While the X5 and X6 are still offered with BMW's straight-six and V8 turbocharged engines, a couple of updates promise to augment the driving experience in their facelifted forms. As standard, an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, paired with gearshift paddles, is offered across the range.
Specifically, xDrive40i variants of both cars are powered by the firm's 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine. Thanks to latest-generation innovations, the new unit produces an extra 47bhp and 70Nm of torque over outgoing models. With 376bhp and 540Nm of torque in boost, the cars hit 100km/h from rest in just 5.4 seconds.
Similarly, the six-cylinder diesel unit in the xDrive30d variants has been updated, and works with the mild hybrid system to produce 294bhp and 670Nm of torque.
The performance-oriented duo also receives Adaptive M suspension, Integral Active Steering, and 21-inch wheels as standard.
Introduced specifically in this mid-life facelift, however, is a new plug-in hybrid variant of the X5 featuring a drive system that BMW claims has been completely reworked.
Combining a new electric motor with the firm's latest-gen inline-six petrol engine also gives the xDrive50e a combined torque of 700Nm, on top of 483bhp.
Both the new X5 and X6 will be built at the BMW Group Plant Spartanburg (in the U.S.A), and are set for a global launch in April 2023 - just two months from now.
