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.October 29, 2003
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This Week:

• Nissan : The design transcends time and space to blend Edo's traditional arts and crafts with advanced styling

• Fiat and General Motors Announce Agreements Relating to Their Strategic Alliance

• GM Debuts New HUMMER, SEMA Vehicles, Accessories At 2003 SEMA Show

• Chrysler Group Announces New Appointments in Product Development

• Renault Mégane - A 100bhp version of the 1.5 dCi engine puts the pressure on …

• Toyota Announces Pricing for All-New 2004 Tundra Double Cab Pickup

• New General Motors Study Shows Daytime Running Lamps Continue To Reduce Crashes

• Ford's Haren Gandhi Awarded National Medal Of Technology For Catalyst Research

• BMW X5 for 2004

• Golf demonstrates fuel saving potential

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BMW X5 for 2004

 

New xDrive all-wheel drive system, Valvetronic V-8 engine and freshened design highlight extensive enhancements for BMW's Sports Activity Vehicle Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey - Four years after its introduction, the BMW X5 has long since firmly established itself as a unique and coveted offering in the luxury sport-utility field. If the very combination of "BMW" and "SUV" seemed unlikely back then, well, it was; for this reason, BMW decided to give the X5 a more apt name -Sports Activity Vehicle - to distinguish it from the ordinary run of SUVs. In the meantime, the SAV concept has become so established and respected that the X5 Series is BMW's third-biggest seller in the U.S. In fact, so successful is the X5 that it is soon to be joined by a second SAV line, the X3.

For 2004, the X5 Series gets an extensive round of product enhancements that freshen its steady, strong appeal to customers who value the attributes of an SUV - robust construction, all-weather/all-road and trailer-towing capabilities, commanding driving position, ease of loading cargo - but also seek the attributes of a BMW: precision handling, brilliant performance, elegant design, tasteful luxury and premium quality. 

6-speed automatic transmission

Photos: BMW

The changes include:

• A new all-wheel drive system, xDrive, that adjusts front/rear torque proportioning according to road and operating conditions - with lightning-fast, ultra-sensitive response that optimizes both traction and handling.

• Adoption of the acclaimed Valvetronic V-8 engine in the X5 4.4i model, resulting in greater power (+25 hp) and significantly improved fuel economy.

• New 6-speed transmissions - manual in the 6-cylinder X5 3.0i model, automatic in the X5 4.4i.

• Freshened exterior design, with an entirely (yet subtly) new front end, new taillights and several fresh colors.

• Standard rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic headlight control.

• New wheel designs for four of the five available wheel/tire configurations.

• Enhanced interior equipment, including 8-way power seats in both models, and new optional wood treatment. Here too, the color selection is expanded.

• Availability of the BMW Assist services and telematics system.

There are two X5 models for 2004: the X5 3.0i at $40,995 base price including destination charge; and the X5 4.4i, at $52,195. A successor to the ultra-high-performance X5 4.6is will be announced later in the '04 model year.

(October 27, 2003)