G05 BMW X5 previewed in Malaysia: xDrive40i M Sport CBU coming in August, priced at RM640,000 estimated

Almost a year after the G05 BMW X5 was revealed to the world, the big premium SUV has finally landed in Malaysia. The fourth-generation model is being previewed on our shores today ahead of an official launch, expected to happen in August this year.

Let’s start with the price. Offered in just a single xDrive40i M Sport variant, the new X5 will retail at an estimated RM640,000 on-the-road without insurance. As usual, this figure will include a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, a five-year free scheduled service package and a two-year tyre warranty.

For that money, you get a proper 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six that churns out 340 hp from 5,500 to 6,500 rpm and 450 Nm of torque between 1,500 to 5,200 rpm, paired to ZF’s ubiquitous eight-speed sport automatic transmission and a more efficient all-wheel drive system with a rear differential lock. It will get from zero to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and deliver a combined fuel consumption figure of 9.2 litres per 100 km.

Stylistically, the new X5 marks a significant departure from its predecessor, with a sportier, more angular design that takes plenty of cues from the latest X3. Like on many new BMWs nowadays, the double kidney grille is massive and joined in the middle by a single chrome surround, and they are flanked by trapezoidal adaptive LED headlights with U-shaped daytime running lights.

Along the side, large Air Breather vents continue to be used, but the shoulder line now features a prominent kink towards the rear of the car, emphasising the hindquarters. At the rear, the slimmer LED tail lights lose much of the L shape that has been a defining feature of BMW models, and they have large light guides that frame the lamps other functions, such as the reverse, brake and indicator lights.

The M Sport package adds a more aggressive front bumper with larger air intakes, body-coloured cladding, gloss black trim and a large rear diffuser with twin integrated exhaust pipes. The Style 740 M ten-spoke alloy wheels measure 20 inches in diameter and hide larger M Sport brakes with blue callipers.

Inside, you’ll find a similar geometric design to the new 3 Series, albeit with a greater use of metallic highlights and gloss black trim on the centre console. The car comes as standard with the range-topping BMW Live Cockpit Professional infotainment system, featuring twin 12.3-inch displays and the new BMW Operating System 7.0 that gets a a revised user interface with larger panels.

The system can be controlled via the centre touchscreen, gesture control or the iDrive controller. Also fitted is the Intelligent Personal Assistant, an advanced voice control system that can learn the user’s routines and habits, similar to the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system. The rest of the interior is decorated in Vernasca leather upholstery, a Sensatec faux leather-wrapped dashboard and black headlining.

Measuring 4,922 mm long, 2,004 mm wide and 1,745 mm tall, the new X5 is 36 mm longer, 66 mm wider and 19 mm taller, with the 2,975 mm wheelbase also being 42 mm longer. Malaysian-market models are five-seaters with a 650 litre boot (expandable to 1,870 litres by folding the 40:20:40-split rear seats), plus a powered split-opening tailgate and a neat powered cargo cover that slides into the boot floor when not in use.

Standard equipment includes LED fog lights, keyless entry, push-button start, cruise control, adaptive M suspension, four-zone climate control, power-adjustable sports seats with driver’s side memory and powered steering adjustment, manual rear sunblinds, a 14-speaker, 464-watt Harman Kardon sound system, Qi wireless charging, a head-up display, twin 10.2-inch rear touchscreens and the BMW Display Key.

Safety-wise, the X5 comes with the Driving Assistant pack that adds front collision warning with brake intervention (autonomous emergency braking), Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning (blind spot monitoring), rear crossing traffic warning and rear collision warning. There’s also a Parking Assistant for parallel and perpendicular manoeuvres, along with a reverse camera.

Colours for the new X5 include Mineral White, Black Sapphire, Arctic Grey and Phytonic Blue, with either a Black, Cognac or Coffee interior and Aluminium Tetragon or Fineline Stripe wood trim, depending on the exterior colour chosen. The car also gets the BMW Digital Key that allows owners to use certain Samsung smartphones as their key; they can also share this “key” with five other users.