Although this is an SUV, the 2007 BMW X5 is aimed at performance enthusiasts.Technology present in the cockpit to the handling of conduct while in this car exudes strength. It feels equally at home on motorways than on winding mountain roads.
Edits outside of this new X5 have thought small, they give it a more modern look and reinforce the impression of power. Her body has more curves and prominent veins marking the hood and sides of the vehicle, offer to all a more fluid compared to the previous generation.
The version tested here is driven by a new 4.8-liter V8 (4.4 liters cons on the previous model). This new unit is rated at 350 horsepower and acceleration provides particularly valuable with a nice hum.
Conditioned seats
Our BMW X5 test has all the luxuries that we expected the German carmaker: thick leather seats, black dashboard and sober, and metal inserts placed judiciously. Like other SUVs lately, the X5 has a third row of seats, even if they are small and leave little space for legs. They have however the advantage of being folded into the boot floor.
The seats also compete ingenuity for passenger comfort including air outlets located behind and under the seat, for blowing air conditioning and cool and passengers. The option “active seat” also electrically adjust the height of the headrest and lengthen the front of the seat for better support of the thighs.
The X5 features as standard an LCD screen positioned on top of the console, while the iDrive controller is installed next to the gearshift. As our test X5 does not include the GPS option, BMW therefore incorporates the standard LCD, it is a good idea from our point of view, because it shows better information than the mere display of a car .
Our vehicle incorporated by cons option handsfree Bluetooth , a feature that BMW is fluent. We could easily pair a Samsung SGH-D807 at X5, which instantly recovered the phonebook. The iDrive interface allowed us to make calls easily, either by selecting phonebook entries, or by dialing numbers manually.
Home theater in the back
X5 Our tester was also equipped with rear-seat entertainment kit that uses a unique positioning of the video screen. The good-sized LCD monitor is fixed between the two seats on the rear center console. It unfolds and can pivot laterally to improve visibility for one of the rear passengers when it is alone. A report that the DVD player can also play CDs and display photos.
No reproach to make against either the audio system. 6-CD changer built accepts MP3 and WMA formats and an auxiliary input is provided in the center console. The dedicated interface to all sources of audio shows for its very handy. Radio stations FM and AM are conveniently presented in a staggered fashion, which facilitates reading, especially as they appear in their name, not their frequency. Thanks to the dimensions of the screen, the contents of CD MP3 and WMA is displayed as a tree and presents the content of individual files separately.
Shifter futuristic
All passengers of the new X5 can not miss the futuristic appearance of the shifter. Carved on polished steel, it is consistent with its operation.This is an electronic lever that must be pushed forward to engage the reverse and backwards for forwards. Pressing the button on top activates the dead.
Once driving, just push the lever to the left to engage the sport mode, and forward and then back to engage the six-speed automatic.
On the road, it is also impossible not to notice the enormous work done on the ride. A battery systems are working in this direction starting with the xDrive all-wheel drive. It uses a center differential with limited slip. This technology is not a true all-terrain system, however, his device downhill traction control is particularly useful for lowering slippery slopes.
Of the many corners of our test in the mountains, we pushed the X5 into a corner and he came out particularly well. No doubt thanks to its variable ratio steering that alters the steering angle changes depending on speed. The vehicle then gives the impression of always providing the optimum direction of travel, without the driver does not feel any change. But if management is a bit hard, it is nevertheless perfectly suited to mountain roads
and offers a good sense of control.Even the considerable height of the X5, the sharp turns do not cause any roll. If this is certainly not a sports car lowered, the X5 behaves better than any other SUV we’ve tested.
And for those who are frightened at the thought of having this giant park, the parking assist sensor sends a signal not only sound but also displays on the LCD screen a graph showing the proximity of obstacles in front and rear of the vehicle. The system can be disabled using a button on the dashboard, which is a good thing since it literally goes crazy in traffic.
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