BMW X5 E70

From 2006 to 2012
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	September 28, 2006 - June 28, 2013
Model years	2007–2013
Designer	Pierre Leclercq (2003)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury crossover SUV
Body style	5-door SUV
Related	BMW X6 BMW X4
Powertrain
Engine	3.0L 272 hp I6 3.0L 306 hp I6 TT 3.0L 265 hp Diesel TT I6 4.8L 350 hp V8 4.4L 400 hp V8 TT 4.4L 547 hp V8 TT
Transmission	6-speed automatic with Steptronic 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,933 mm (115.5 in)
Length	4,854 mm (191.1 in) M: 4,851 mm (191.0 in)
Width	1,933 mm (76.1 in) M: 1,994 mm (78.5 in)
Height	2007-08: 1,766 mm (69.5 in) 2009-: 1,776 mm (69.9 in) M: 1,764 mm (69.4 in)

The BMW E70 is second-generation BMW X5 mid-size luxury crossover SUV. It replaced the BMW X5 (E53) in November 2006. It is manufactured alongside the new, 2009 BMW X6 at BMW's Greer, South Carolina plant in the USA and BMW's facility in Toluca, Mexico.

Design

The E70 BMW X5 was 60 mm (2.4 in) wider, 165 mm (6.5 in) longer; with a 110 mm (4.3 in) longer wheelbase, but remains at the height of the E53 X5 at 1,766 mm (69.5 in). Development of the E70 began in 2001 under Dr. Albert Biermann, with the design phase beginning in 2002. In 2003, Pierre Leclercq's design proposal was chosen by Chris Bangle and frozen for production in early 2004. Prototypes began testing in late 2004. Development ended in mid-2006.

Technology

The xDrive AWD system updates previewed in the facelifted X5 have continued with further detail improvements for the E70. It uses a double wishbone suspension at the front. The manual transmission is entirely dropped, leaving only the automatic transmission.

The E70 features many new technological advancements for this class as standard equipment including BMW's iDrive system, electronic 'joystick' gearshift (no mechanical connection to the gearbox to win space in the console), LED taillamps, the first ever all-polypropylene single module fender module, and options such as head-up display HUD, active steering, active damping, and Dynamic Drive which uses active anti-roll bars which use a hydraulic servo in the middle to actively counteract body roll.

The interior of the new, larger, X5 is completely new. It has a large center-mounted display screen and the simplified iDrive, a man-machine interface system also found in the rest of the BMW model range. The E70 further incorporates many comfort options such as a glass panorama-roof, and, for the first time in a BMW, an optional third row seat which has increased the seating capacity in E70 to 7 passengers, addressing criticism of the E53 model which had been regarded as being slightly too small for this market segment.

The E70 is also the first production vehicle to use FlexRay, a new extremely fast electrical bus system; it is only used for the control of the chassis damping system. The new 'joy-stick'-style electronic space-saving shifter has since been adopted in the new 2008 BMW 5 Series.

For the 2010 model year the X5 received the new iDrive system and the BMW individual audio system along with various other minor updates.

Technical features which other BMW models use also:

• Active Steering- changes the steering ratio depending on the speed and driving style
• Adaptive Drive with active roll stabilization and adaptive shock absorbers
• Head-up display - critical information projected onto the windshield
• Comfort Access - keyless access and engine start
• Daytime running lights on the "Corona Rings" around the main headlight units
• Four-zone climate control

New is the Park Distance system that can be integrated into the image of the optional rearview camera.

BMW X5 M (2010-13)

The BMW X5 M is a high-performance derivative of the X5. It was introduced to the press at the New York Auto Show in April 2009, and started appearing in BMW dealerships in September 2009. It competes with cars such as the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. At the time of its launch, it was the world’s most powerful car in its class.

The BMW X5 M is the first xDrive all-wheel-drive vehicles from M GmbH along with the X6 M. The M offers the same utility as the regular X5, with the addition of the V8 M TwinPower Turbo, a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 delivering 547 bhp (408 kW; 555 PS) at 5,750 rpm and peak torque is 501 lb·ft (679 N·m), available between 1,500 and 5,650 rpm. The S63 engine is a high output variation of the N63 power unit.

The X5 M can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.0 seconds, and a quarter-mile (400m) time of 12.5 seconds with a trap speed of 112 mph (180.2 km/h) was recorded by Car and Driver magazine. In the same test, the X5 M bested the 0-60 mph and quarter-mile times of the 2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, and the 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged. In wet conditions, the X5 M went around the Top Gear Test Track in 1:28.2, 5.1 seconds faster the Audi Q7 V12 TDI.

Coupled with special suspension specifically optimized for M that features Adaptive Drive and the newly developed M Servotronic power steering, the performance Sport Activity Vehicle promises very competent handling. Other high-tech features include launch control for maximum acceleration and a six-speed M Sport automatic transmission optimized for performance. Drivers can manually select gears using either paddles or an electronic gear selector lever. Electronically controlled, variable power distribution to the front and rear axle prevents the tendency to oversteer or understeer, before DSC Dynamic Stability Control is required to cut in.

The BMW X5 M features the biggest brakes on a BMW production vehicle, with 15.55" (395x36mm) rotors up front clamped by four-piston calipers, and 15.2" (385x24mm) rotors at the rear with single-piston calipers. Although traction control is standard, the M Dynamic Mode (MDM) reduces the effect of the system, allowing some wheelspin and drift-type cornering.