Production of F15 X5 Begins in Spartanburg

Production of the Third-Generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle Begins at BMW Manufacturing Co.

More than 1.3 million X5’s made exclusively at South Carolina plant.

Spartanburg, S.C. – August 1, 2013… Production of the third-generation BMW X5 officially began today with the manufacture of dealer vehicles designed to generate excitement and sales in their region. The first, new BMW X5 is a Mineral White M50d (six-cylinder inline diesel engine with M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology). It features Exclusive Nappa Mocha leather interior and will be exported to a dealer in Eastern Europe.

“Since 1999, the X5 has been a significant contributor to the Spartanburg plant’s global success,” said BMW Manufacturing President, Josef Kerscher. “Our team will continue to build the next-generation X5 with the superior quality that our customers around the world have come to expect from South Carolina.”

The third-generation BMW X5, creator of the Sports Activity Vehicle segment and global market leader in its class, sets new standards in powerful design, luxurious spaciousness, cutting-edge versatility and efficient driving pleasure.

The new BMW X5 offers noticeable advances over its predecessor:

*Three engine variants at launch: BMW X5 xDrive50i with a new generation of the V8 petrol engine (330 kW/450 hp), BMW X5 xDrive30d with revised six-cylinder in-line diesel unit (190 kW/258 hp) and the BMW X5 M50d M Performance Automobile with tri-turbo six-cylinder in-line diesel (280 kW/381 hp). In December 2013, the BMW X5 xDrive40d, BMW X5 xDrive35i, BMW X5 xDrive25d and BMW X5 sDrive25d (with CO2 emissions of just 149 g/km) will be added to the range.
*The design proportions of the third-generation Sports Activity Vehicle are defined by a characteristic, evolutionary development of body design from the predecessor model. The front-end features a powerful, alert look, with twin circular headlight units extending into the BMW kidney grill. The new X5 reveals an elegantly stretched silhouette, eye-catching swag line over the athletically molded wheel arches, horizontal lines and taut surfaces at the rear. The vehicle’s aerodynamic properties integrate harmoniously into its overall design language, including Air Curtains, Air Breathers and Aero Blades for the rear window. Finally, the bumper’s X-shaped contour lines clearly designate it as a member of the BMW X model family.
*The new vehicle is engineered with a commitment to reducing fuel consumption and emissions through weight minimization, optimized air guidance, engine technology and the standard-fitted – and extremely efficient – eight-speed automatic gearbox with additional BMW EfficientDynamics technology. It features Auto Start Stop function, ECO PRO mode including coasting function and Proactive Driving Assistant. All models have the EU6 rating.
*The new X5 is the only vehicle in its segment available with Active Steering, a technology developed by BMW, and AdaptiveDrive, a combination of Active Roll Stabilization and Electronic Damping Control, which offers greater handling capability and ride quality. It is also the first SAV fitted with run-flat tires as standard equipment.

The final second-generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle was produced at BMW’s South Carolina plant on Friday, June 28. The Titanium Silver Metallic 4.4-liter, 400-hp V8 engine BMW X5 xDrive50i with Sand Beige Perforated Nevada Leather and M Sport Package will become part of the permanent BMW historic car collection. Between September 2006 and June 2013, the plant in Spartanburg produced 728,107 second-generation X5 models, making this model series the best-selling in the history of the plant.

Since 1999, more than 1.3 million X5’s have been produced for global customers. The X5 Sports Activity Vehicle is produced exclusively at BMW Manufacturing Co. for distribution to more than 140 worldwide markets.