Motoring
Lifestyle on wheels
Our motoring editor was invited to test drive a car. What they gave him to put to the test was another story. This was not a car. With Lewis Osman
Imagine cruising on the M1 in opulent comfort and a mighty 3 litre diesel engine that is as smooth as a petrol one and accelerates like a sports car. This sensation on wheels is called the BMW X5 3.0d.
As I entered the cockpit and plunged into the firm leather seat, I adjusted it to my liking, steering wheel put in my preferred position I began my motoring experience. Travelling with all the comforts of the home means that every mile is something to be savoured in the new BMW X5 3.0d. The elevated seating position lends you a commanding view of the road. And of the sumptuous materials which transform the interior into a feast for the eyes – from the leather upholstery to the fine wood trim. Here elegance in form is matched by elegance in function. The instrument panel is ergonomically designed and the controls are placed just where you intuitively expect to find them.
For even more convenience, iDrive technology gives you access to a wide range of vehicle functions via one central set of controls. Eight buttons can be set to provide your own personalised functions – from your favourite radio station to your most useful telephone numbers – in the blink of an eye. The optional Head-Up Display projects key information such as vehicle speed and navigation system directions directly into the windscreen. Giving you more time to sit back and enjoy driving this new marvel.
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Attention to detail and perfect craftsmanship even in seemingly minor accessories are what makes the interior of every BMW X5 something out of the ordinary. Expertly worked seams, the elegant design of the interior trim, and the superb quality of leather all contribute to a stylish finish and a luxurious ambience that is a balm for the senses. Only one thing could detract from this level of comfort: the thought of having to get out of your vehicle.
To ensure perfect conditions for everyone on board, you can opt for a 4-zone automatic air conditioning with individually adjustable blowers, as well as additional foot-well heaters even for the rear seats. High quality entertainment includes a fold away eight inch colour screen DVD player and a 16-speaker hi-fi system with 6-CD-selector.
With the intelligent four wheel drive system xDrive, the power of the BMW X5 3.0d can be optimally distributed between the front and rear axles in milliseconds. Should for example the vehicle start to oversteer when tackling a slippery bend, the system transfers power from the rear to the front axle, or if the BMW shows a tendency to understeer, more force is exerted on the rear axle.
Power tends to be most striking when you can feel it as well as see it. The six-cylinder 3.0 litre diesel engine achieves an impressive performance of 173kW (235 hp), impelling the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.3 seconds. Peak torque of 520 Nm kicks in at only 2000 rpm. Its Common Rail Technology ensures the engine’s high performance and means that fuel is burnt quietly, efficiently and very effectively, optimal cylinder filling guaranteed by the 4-valve technology cylinder head and the exhaust gas turbo-charger with adjustable valves. A further outstanding property of this engine is its capacity for forceful take-off. Only one thing is more impressive, and that is how the initial kick is transformed every time into sheer driving pleasure.
The BMW X5 is arguably the most exciting and luxurious vehicle
on Malawi’s roads today
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