BMW has announced a new, more efficient diesel powertrain for the BMW X5 and X6 – but Australia won’t receive the new mild-hybrid option.
A spokesperson for BMW Australia confirmed there are no plans for the xDrive40d variants to come here.
The new xDrive40d powertrain will be the most powerful diesel engine in the brand’s current line-up, thanks to detailed tweaks.
The new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine produces 259kW of power and 720Nm of torque and is mated to an xDrive all-wheel drive system.
X5 xDrive50e pictured
According to BMW, both the X5 and X6 can accelerate from naught to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds.
WLTP fuel consumption figures are 7.3L/100km-8.4L/100km in the X5 and 7.3-8.2L/100km in the X6.
The extra performance and efficiency comes courtesy of new steel pistons and a higher pressure fuel injection system.
A 48V mild-hybrid system features a crankshaft-driven starter generator which is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It provides a power boost when you accelerate hard as well as smarter and smoother start/stop technology.
X6 M50i pictured
BMW has confirmed vehicles with the new powertrain will go into production in July/August 2023.
The closest powertrain currently offered in Australia is the xDrive30d, which features a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline six with 210kW and 650Nm, mated with a 48V mild-hybrid system, an eight-speed automatic transmission and the xDrive all-wheel drive system.
The xDrive30d has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds.
The brand recently detailed the updated 2024 BMW X5 and X6 for Australia, which share a range of powertrains.
BMW opens the X5 and X6 ranges with the xDrive30d.
Next in the line-up is the petrol powered xDrive40i which has a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six cylinder petrol engine making 280kW and 520Nm, good for a 5.4-second run to 100km/h. It’s backed by a 48V mild-hybrid system.
The xDrive50e (X5 only) blends a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver a combined 360kW and 700Nm. The 0-100km/h sprint takes a claimed 4.8 seconds.
A flagship X5 and X6 M60i replace the outgoing M50i models and feature a new 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine making the same 390kW and 750Nm as before. The 0-100km/h sprint takes a claimed 4.3 seconds.
BMW will include the iDrive 8.0 system that is rolling out across the wider BMW line-up. It features a curved display in front of the dash that integrates seperate screens for the infotainment system and instrument cluster.
The updated SUVs lose their physical climate control buttons as well as their larger gear lever, which has been replaced by a stubby little switch.
Both the X5 and X6 have also been treated to an exterior refresh.
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