Production of the new BMW X5 begins tomorrow
At 6 a.m. tomorrow, associates at BMW Manufacturing Corp. will begin building the new X5 sports activity vehicle that will have more than 2,100 new parts, three new engines and four new colors.Teams at BMW Manufacturing and the almost 500 companies in the worldwide supplier network, including the 39 suppliers in South Carolina, have been working together to plan a seamless model changeover as the new X5 begins production. And the more than 4,700 associates have been trained on new processes for building the new X5s.
The 2004 updated X5s will drop into Assembly at 6 a.m. tomorrow, and there will be only a 10-car gap between the current and new models. The factory produces about 400 X5s a day.
This update occurs at the mid-life point of the X5, which first rolled off the production lines in September 1999.
'It is normal in a BMW vehicle life cycle, which is about seven years, to make a series of improvements to stay ahead of the competition,' said Robert Hitt, manager for Media and Public Affairs. 'In this case, the new X5 is virtually a new model with more than 2,100 new parts. In addition to the cosmetic changes to the exterior front end, under the skin this is a new X5 with an all new power train.'
In order to make the most of the new powertrain update, the new xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system helps to ensure optimum performance in all driving situations. The xDrive sets new standards among all-wheel drive vehicles for road holding and agility. The xDrive distributes the drive power ideally between the front and rear wheels. During cornering, for instance, the power distribution provided by the xDrive significantly minimizes understeer or oversteer.
The new X5 has three new engines: a 3-liter, six-cylinder with 225 horsepower that includes a new six-speed manual transmission, a 3-liter, six-cylinder diesel with 215 horsepower and a 4.4-liter, eight-cylinder with 315 horsepower that include a new six-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)
The four new exterior colors are Olivine, Sterling Gray, Kalahari Beige and Toledo Blue. And the 2004 X5 will have five new interiors: truffle brown, black, beige and lava gray leather, and a poplar smoke gray wood trim.Source - BMW
Related Reading : BMW X5 History
A mid-size crossover SUV unveiled in 1999, the BMW X5 was BMWs first SUV also known as Four-by-Four in the UK. All BMW X5s are manufactured in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The X5 comes with all-wheel drive and is available with either manual or automatic transmission along with a range of gasoline inline-6s, V8s and diesel engines are available. Rather than being a SUV, BMW describes the X5 as....
Continue Reading >>
Continue Reading >>
Similar Automakers
Recent Vehicle Additions
Performance and Specification Comparison
Related Automotive News
BMW and Milo Ventimiglia Harness the Power of M in the All-New BMW M4
New campaign spot features Ventimiglia taking the all-new, second generation BMW M4 to the limit – with an April Fools twist.
Filmed at the brands very own BMW Performance Center West, located at The Thermal Club near Palm Springs, CA.
BMW of No...
BMW At The IAA Cars 2019 In Frankfurt
Franfurt am Main. The BMW stand at the IAA Cars 2019 international motor show in Frankfurt am Main focuses on the theme of future driving pleasure. Alongside the latest new additions across a broad range of segments revealed by BMW as part of...
The All-New BMW 1 Series
Sportier design, improved handling and agility.
Lower emissions, more power and improved fuel efficiency.
BMW Head-up display, BMW Digital Key, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and BMW Live Cockpit Plus.
Array of new driver assistant systems.
...
The New BMW 4 Series Range
New BMW 4 Series debuts refreshed styling, upgraded cabin and new interior features.
Revised suspension enhances handling capabilities, without compromising on the cars impressive ride comfort.
Improved standard specification to include twin LED...
BMW MODEL DEBUTS AND UPGRADES FOR SUMMER 2016
New 340hp BMW M140i and BMW 240i M Performance models top BMW 1 and 2 Series ranges.
BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series now benefit from more powerful, efficient engines.
New BMW iPerformance range launched, including new 7 Series PHEV models with up t...