2014 BMW X5 Introduces Rear-Wheel Drive Model, New Styling
The 2014 BMW X5 has officially broken cover, and there have been some interesting changes made to the next-generation version of the luxury SUV. Although gasoline engine choices remain the same - a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six and a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 - the latter sees an increase of 45 horsepower compared to last year's model. With 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque on offer, the BMW xDrive50i is a potent participant in the full-size premium crossover sweepstakes. The company has also deducted 10 horsepower from the diesel version of the X5, which soldiers on with a six-cylinder engine good for 255 horses and 413 lb-ft of torque.
Despite producing the same 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque as it did the year before, the base drivetrain offering on the X5 has been refreshed by way of subtraction. The sDrive30i model will feature rear-wheel instead of all-wheel drive, marking the very first time BMW has marketed an SUV without a four-wheel drive system in North America
Other changes include mild styling tweaks, the introduction of three distinct 'lines' or trim levels for the X5 (Luxury, xLine, and the returning M Sport), and a roughly 100 kilogram weight loss for the vehicle's platform. Eight-speed automatic transmissions also now come standard with each version of the crossover.
