More Innovation for BMW X5

BMW Australia has released an ‘Innovation’ equipment package for its X5 luxury SUV, grouping a number of frequently ordered options and replacing the model’s Executive variants.

Priced at $11,200 with the petrol X5 xDrive30i and diesel xDrive30d (or $9500 if ordered in combination with the Sport or M Sport packages), the Innovations costs $2900 with the X5 xDrive35d and $1200 with the X5 xDrive48i.

BMW says the package comprises more than $16,600 worth of separate options, led by the unique new Top View system, providing drivers with a more comprehensive picture of the car and its immediate surroundings.

In addition to the rear-view camera and Park Distance Control (PDC) sensors, Top View uses two cameras in the side mirrors to send data on the car and its surroundings to a central computer, which presents it on the control display as a bird’s eye view.

Also included is automatic tailgate operation, exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function including fold-in and parking function, electric front-seat adjustment with driver’s seat and steering wheel memory, bi-Xenon headlights with washers, high beam assist, USB audio interface and an 8.8-inch colour display and Professional Navigation including television function and voice control.

The Innovations pack is limited to an automatic tailgate, bi-Xenon headlights with washers, high beam assist and USB audio interface on the xDrive35d, while the xDrive48i pack includes only the auto tailgate and USB audio interface.

At the same time, BMW says it has given the X5’s (and X6’s) Professional navigation system more functionality via a new iDrive controller with eight one-touch favourite buttons and a new menu structure.

It now comes with an 8.8-inch high-resolution colour monitor offering full-screen mode for viewing maps, three-dimensional relief maps, DVD drive and an integrated 80GB hard disc drive, allowing up to 12GB of audio files from CD or USB devices. Making a navigation DVD redundant, system updates can be completed at BMW dealerships via the car’s USB interface.