BMW will launch the third-generation X5 (Codename F15) SUV in India soon.
According to our sources, the new X5 will initially come with a 3.0-litre diesel engine good for 258bhp. This is the same unit that also does duty in the BMW 530d and the 730d sedans.
The new X5 is larger than the predecessor but thanks to various weight-saving measures, the new SUV is lighter. The new BMW X5 will come with 5 and 7 seat options and its interior has been updated with the latest range of BMW tech.
BMW also showcased the X5 at the Auto Expo 2014 earlier this year with a 2.0-litre diesel engine called the X5 xDrive25d powered by a 218bhp 2.0-litre engine that also does duty in the BMW 525d sedan. This variant, if launched, will be aimed squarely at hugely popular Mercedes ML250 CDI SUV.
The new BMW X5 India launch is expected to happen during the latter part of May 2014. BMW dealers have started taking bookings for the 3.0-litre version with a booking amount of Rs 5 lakh and deliveries are expected by early June 2014. The expected price of the new BMW X5 in India is Rs 70 lakh for the base 5-seater variant and Rs 75 lakh for the top-end 3.0-litre 7-seater version. (All prices estimated ex-showroom).