New BMW X5 and X6 unleashed and headed for South Africa

• Author: Motor News Reporter
• Published date: 09 February 2023
• Publication title: TimesLIVE (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Starting with the looks, there's a new style tinge, similar to the latest X1: 35mm slimmer headlights, redesigned bumpers and kidney grilles. The latter feature has a glowinthedark aspect, much like the new 7 Series

The xLine specification is standard on X5 models and comes with satin aluminium trim and roof rails. The curvier X6 is available with an M Sport package as standard. Mspecific side skirts and M Highgloss Shadowline trim are part of the M Sport package and it gets new trapeziumshaped exhaust tailpipes.

The M Sport package is also available for the X5 M60i xDrive model. Benefits include double bars and an M logo for the kidney grille, M exterior mirror caps in black highgloss, quad exhaust tailpipes and a rear spoiler.

The M Sport package Pro is available, too, for the M60i xDrive with M Marina Bay Blue metallic and M Isle of Man Green metallic body paint finishes.

Blue Ridge Mountain metallic, Brooklyn Grey metallic, Skyscraper Grey metallic, Frozen Pure Grey metallic and about 40 BMW Individual special paint finishes are further additions available for all models.

Inside, a highdefinition 12.3inch information display stares back at the driver while there's a 14.9inch main display with touch control. The latest iDrive has new digital features, including live cockpit plus with cloudbased navigation and maps. Order the optional Live Cockpit Professional to get headup display and an augmented view function.

Another feature is the ambient light bar with LED backlighting, with model lettering as a graphic. In the flagship models it displays the M logo.

A newly designed gear selector lever is positioned between comfort seats than can be specified as an alternative to the standard sport seats. Options also include BMW Individual Merino extended leather upholstery, seat ventilation, a massage function, panoramic sunroof, glass applications for controls and a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system.

There's big news in the mechanical department too, with a choice of six or eightcylinder engines and eightspeed Steptronic Sport transmission and 48V mildhybrid technology.

The 3.0l sixcylinder petrol engine in the xDrive40i develops 280kW and 520Nm, and does 0100km/h in 5.4 seconds. The xDrive30d has a diesel engine pumping out 219kW and 670 Nm, enabling it to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds. In M60i xDrive guise it's a 4.4l V8 petrol engine with 390kW and 750Nm. Acceleration from 0100km/h takes 4.3 seconds.

BMW also markets a plugin hybrid...