Photo: BMW
BMW’s adventure in the SUV segment began 15 years ago, in 1999 with the original X5 that wore the E53 codename. It was the first car in a series of models that would eventually shape the automotive world like nothing before.
After the Bavarians took this huge step that drove some purists away but attracted a lot more new customers to the brand, others followed with cars like the Cayenne soon following suit and basically saving Porsche from bankruptcy.
In the typical Munich fashion, the car also came out with a new designation, stepping away from the usual Sport Utility Vehicle name and creating its own, the X5 becoming the world’s first Sport Activity Vehicle. A small but essential change in the minds ruling the BMW Group.
For many years, the X3 was alone in its segment and it thrived, sales going over the roof and the highest expectations in Munich. It was also on the X3 where the xDrive name made its first appearance, a permanent all-wheel drive system with an electronically controlled multiple disk clutch inside the transfer case.
Still produced at the Spartanburg plant in the US, the new version grew in size and offered more space inside while also improving driving dynamics thanks to xDrive.
This time, the M division also got involved creating a car that would offer plenty of premieres for the market. The powerplant under the bonnet was turbocharged, a first for any engine made with the M logo on it and it was capable of developing 555 HP and 680 Nm (501 lb-ft) of torque. We’re talking about the BMW E70 X5 M, a model that also celebrated the first all-wheel drive M car ever built.
It was an SUV-like car with the body of a Coupe. Yeah, it was weird sounding and most of the gearheads out there never really got comfortable with it (it was also impossible for people over 6ft to do so in the back seats due to the protruding roof line).
However, over 250,000 models were sold over the years, convincing BMW not only to continue making it but also to introduce a new and a smaller version in 2014. Of course, the X6 also got an M version that used the same powertrain as the X5.
Over 300,000 units were sold over the first two and a half years, convincing BMW that there’s some reason in keeping the X1 in production. The original uses a BMW E91 3 Series Touring chassis and its hydraulic steering offers more feedback than any other car in the Bavarian range today.
To date, over 640,000 X1s have been sold worldwide with the car being built at the Leipzig plant and in China, at the joint-venture factory with Brilliance China in Shenyang.
The new xDrive system used on it takes away some of the driving pleasure but as it turns out, its a more sporty and planted car than most people expected. It’s not for everyone though, as BMW themselves say, but it can set you apart in the world.
At the same time, the current X3 received a facelift that brings it into focus once again. One of the most popular models in the BMW range, the LCI X3 is now on sale with next-generation engines that solve some of the problems we had with diesel plants made by the Munich-based company.
The xDrive18d and xDrive20d versions use the next generation diesel plants part of the B-family. They have 150 HP and 190 HP coming out of 2-liter 4-cylinder blocks and return incredible numbers despite the size of the car.
Last but not least, the new X6 was launched, hoping to solve the problems customers reported with the previous model. It has a new design on the outside and drastic improvements done to the interior, to make it feel like it should for the price tag it’s asking for.
The range of customizing capabilities is almost infinite. The standard cataloger allows you to fit your car with a variety of unique combinations but go into the Individual catalogue and you’ll be stunned of what BMW can do with it.
The future of the X range is even more ambitious. Basically all the numbers from 1 to 7 will nominate a car model. There will be an X2 SAC with 3 doors launched in 2017, while the upcoming X1 will migrate to a front-wheel drive based platform. Of course, you’ll also get to have xDrive version, don’t worry.
At the same time, BMW already confirmed that it’s working on what they call the ‘X7’. This will be a rival for the biggest cars out there like the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and the traditional American luxury vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. There’s a niche that has to be explored here and BMW won’t hesitate to do so.
Sure, some say that this dilutes the brand but the numbers speak louder than words. Over the last 15 years over 3.3 million BMW X models have been sold worldwide. To put things in perspective, that basically means that since the first X5 was launched, one on every three cars sold by the group is an X model. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a success story.
In the typical Munich fashion, the car also came out with a new designation, stepping away from the usual Sport Utility Vehicle name and creating its own, the X5 becoming the world’s first Sport Activity Vehicle. A small but essential change in the minds ruling the BMW Group.
2004: BMW X3
Over the years, the number of X models grew consistently encouraged by the success of the X5. In 2004, the BMW X3 showed up as an alternative to the original. It was a smaller model aiming at people that wanted a taller ground clearance without having to carry around a huge body.For many years, the X3 was alone in its segment and it thrived, sales going over the roof and the highest expectations in Munich. It was also on the X3 where the xDrive name made its first appearance, a permanent all-wheel drive system with an electronically controlled multiple disk clutch inside the transfer case.
2006: The second generation X5 is launched
7 years after the original X model made its debut, BMW introduced the E70 X5. It was an all new model with the looks to kill. Even to this day most BMW aficionados consider it the best looking model ever made in the X Series range. We’re guessing that’s only until they get used to the current version, though.Still produced at the Spartanburg plant in the US, the new version grew in size and offered more space inside while also improving driving dynamics thanks to xDrive.
This time, the M division also got involved creating a car that would offer plenty of premieres for the market. The powerplant under the bonnet was turbocharged, a first for any engine made with the M logo on it and it was capable of developing 555 HP and 680 Nm (501 lb-ft) of torque. We’re talking about the BMW E70 X5 M, a model that also celebrated the first all-wheel drive M car ever built.
2008: The world’s first Sport Activity Coupe saw the light of day
BMW didn’t stop there, though. The X5 got himself a little brother in the shape of the E71 X6 just two years later. Called a Sport Activity Coupe, the new X model showed a controversial design that would inspire other manufacturers to follow suit later on.It was an SUV-like car with the body of a Coupe. Yeah, it was weird sounding and most of the gearheads out there never really got comfortable with it (it was also impossible for people over 6ft to do so in the back seats due to the protruding roof line).
However, over 250,000 models were sold over the years, convincing BMW not only to continue making it but also to introduce a new and a smaller version in 2014. Of course, the X6 also got an M version that used the same powertrain as the X5.
2009: The BMW X1
In the compact segment, BMW wasn’t the first manufacturer to break ground with a new model. They did show that a luxury car can be had in this class with the X1, a car that is still revered all over the world today, for its performance, driving characteristics and price tag.Over 300,000 units were sold over the first two and a half years, convincing BMW that there’s some reason in keeping the X1 in production. The original uses a BMW E91 3 Series Touring chassis and its hydraulic steering offers more feedback than any other car in the Bavarian range today.
To date, over 640,000 X1s have been sold worldwide with the car being built at the Leipzig plant and in China, at the joint-venture factory with Brilliance China in Shenyang.
2014: the All-New BMW X4, X5 and X6 models
2014 proved to be a very important year for X models. First of all, BMW introduced its second Sport Activity Coupe in the shape of the X4, a car that we had the pleasure of testing. It’s a car that surprises at first, with a controversial design (just like its bigger brother) but that we found rather enjoyable.The new xDrive system used on it takes away some of the driving pleasure but as it turns out, its a more sporty and planted car than most people expected. It’s not for everyone though, as BMW themselves say, but it can set you apart in the world.
At the same time, the current X3 received a facelift that brings it into focus once again. One of the most popular models in the BMW range, the LCI X3 is now on sale with next-generation engines that solve some of the problems we had with diesel plants made by the Munich-based company.
The xDrive18d and xDrive20d versions use the next generation diesel plants part of the B-family. They have 150 HP and 190 HP coming out of 2-liter 4-cylinder blocks and return incredible numbers despite the size of the car.
Last but not least, the new X6 was launched, hoping to solve the problems customers reported with the previous model. It has a new design on the outside and drastic improvements done to the interior, to make it feel like it should for the price tag it’s asking for.
The range of customizing capabilities is almost infinite. The standard cataloger allows you to fit your car with a variety of unique combinations but go into the Individual catalogue and you’ll be stunned of what BMW can do with it.
What now?
15 years after the original X5 was launched anxiously, BMW’s gamble with the SUV range is paying off. The new model is now selling strong across the world, even though it was launched last year. New engines and optional features make it one of the best in class and a testimony to what a company like the blue and white roundel one can do if it sets its mind to it.The future of the X range is even more ambitious. Basically all the numbers from 1 to 7 will nominate a car model. There will be an X2 SAC with 3 doors launched in 2017, while the upcoming X1 will migrate to a front-wheel drive based platform. Of course, you’ll also get to have xDrive version, don’t worry.
At the same time, BMW already confirmed that it’s working on what they call the ‘X7’. This will be a rival for the biggest cars out there like the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and the traditional American luxury vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. There’s a niche that has to be explored here and BMW won’t hesitate to do so.
Sure, some say that this dilutes the brand but the numbers speak louder than words. Over the last 15 years over 3.3 million BMW X models have been sold worldwide. To put things in perspective, that basically means that since the first X5 was launched, one on every three cars sold by the group is an X model. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a success story.
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