BMW X5: a long version in China

At the Chengdu Motor Show in China, BMW presented two extended wheelbase variants of its X5 SUV: the xDrive30Li and xDrive40Li. In addition to gaining a longer wheelbase of 13 cm, they benefit from new 4 and 6-cylinder engines.

You are probably aware that the Chinese are very fond of cars with an extended wheelbase in order to be driven in the greatest of comforts. As a result, many European brands are launching long-wheelbase models just for the Chinese market. BMW is accustomed to this kind of practice and after having done it on “small” models like the Series 3, the Bavarian manufacturer has set its sights on its much more imposing X5 SUV.

BMW X5 with 13 cm longer wheelbase

Presented at the Chengdu Motor Show in China, the xDrive30Li and xDrive40Li versions are identical in all respects to the BMW X5 marketed in the rest of the world. A recently updated SUV. With the exception that these two Chinese variants have an extended wheelbase of 13 cm to now reach 3.1 m long! Or the equivalent of its big brother, the BMW X7. The Chinese X5s are therefore now 5.07 m long, 2 m wide and 1.77 m high. Last small difference between these elongated versions and the others: the rear seats have also been specially adapted to improve the comfort of passengers in the second row.

An unprecedented 4-cylinder

These Chinese X5s display a style identical to those marketed in the rest of the world, with the exception of their dimensions, of course. On the other hand, they benefit from new engines, starting with the 4-cylinder of the xDrive30Li variant. A 2-liter engine that sends its 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque to its 4 wheels to reach 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. Not bad for a pachyderm weighing around 2.25 t.

xDrive40Li and its 6-cylinder in line

And that’s not all, in addition to an entry-level 4-cylinder version, the Chinese X5 also exists in an xDrive40Li versionstill and always reserved for China. This time it’s an inline 6-cylinder with 380 hp and 520 Nm of torque that spins all 4 wheels. A mechanism that allows the German SUV to reach 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h! As a reminder, in France, the X5 is only available with a diesel xDrive30d engine of 298 hp, in a rechargeable hybrid version xDrive50e strong of 489 hp, without forgetting its M Competition variant.

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