BMW has just debuted two new SUVs that are made exclusively for the Chinese market – the BMW X5 xDrive30 Li and the new BMW X5 xDrive40 Li. Like their names suggest, these long-wheelbase versions of the X5 SUV sport a wheelbase that is 130 mm longer than the regular X5.
This naturally translates into more legroom on the inside, making them more comfortable to be chauffeured around in. The long wheelbase X5s’ rear doors have also been lengthened, making both ingress and egress easier.
On the outside, the new BMW X5 xDrive30 Li and X5 xDrive40 Li feature the brand’s new Matrix LED headlights and kidney grille. Like the regular X5, the new headlight units’ outline has also been slimmed down by 35 mm compared to before, while the daytime running light elements point outwards in the shape of an arrow.
The BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam is also included as standard with the BMW X5 xDrive40 Li and is also available as standard with the BMW xDrive30 Li. The new long wheelbase SUVs’ rear light units have also gone through a redesign, and now feature fibre-optic light guide elements with an arrangement that creates a uniformly illuminated X motif.
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Additionally, the marque’s kidney grille Iconic Glow is also here with the Chinese-exclusive long wheelbase BMW X5 variants and is combined with a chrome surface finish. Its front apron’s air curtains and the air breathers on the front side panels have also been redesigned. Apart from this, BMW has also given both the BMW X5 xDrive30 Li and X5 xDrive40 Li two-axle air suspension, M Sport brakes, along with 21-inch light-alloy wheels.
Powering the new BMW X5 xDrive30 Li and X5 xDrive40 Li are the brand’s 48V mild hybrid powertrains paired to an 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, sending power to all four wheels via the xDrive all-wheel drive system. The BMW X5 xDrive30 Li features a 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder engine which results in a combined system output of 258 hp and 400 Nm, enabling a 0-100 km/h time of 7.2 seconds.
The BMW xDrive40 Li on the other hand features a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six engine, resulting in a combined system output of 380 hp and 520 Nm. This enables the X5 xDrive40 Li to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds.
Moving inside, the surfaces of the instrument panel, door panels, and model-specific comfort seats in the new long-wheelbase BMW X5s feature fined-grained Sensafin trimmings. Besides USB-C ports on the front seat backs, the new BMW X5 xDrive30 Li and BMW X5 xDrive40 Li are both equipped with the brand’s latest BMW iDrive display, QuickSelect, along with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant as standard.
Running on the brand’s Operating System 8.5, the curved display consists of two displays that have been merged into a single fully digital unit. This includes a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 14.9-inch head unit display.
Exclusive to the Chinese market long wheelbase BMW X5 is a smartphone tray that comes with inductive charging. A Harman Kardon Surround Sound System is also included as part of the cars’ interior package.
In the safety department, both the new BMW xDrive30 Li and xDrive40 Li are equipped with automated driving and parking systems. This includes the BMW driving assistant professional which comes with steering and lane control assistant, and highway assistant. The BMW parking assistant professional package on the other hand adds on the reversing assistant and manoeuvre assistant.
Both the new BMW X5 xDrive30 Li and X5 xDrive40 Li will be making their official launch around September this year. The two long-wheelbase SUVs will then be built at the Dadong plant of the BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture in Shenyang, China.
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