BMW Media Site Production of the Third-Generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle Begins at BMW Manufacturing Co. Contact: Sky  Foster (864) 989-5546 (office) sky.foster@bmwmc.com   Steve   Wilson 864-989-5346 (office) steve.wilson@bmwmc.com     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:    Engine variants:  The multi-award winning 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six powers the new X5 sDrive35i and X5 xDrive35i. It develops maximum output of 300 hp at 5,800 rpm, with peak torque of 300 lb-ft available all the way from 1,200–5,000 rpm.     BMW X5 xDrive 50i features the latest TwinPower Turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine. The new version of the engine develops a maximum 445 hp between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm (a 45 hp increase), and makes peak torque of 480 lb-ft between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm (a 30 lb-ft increase).     New X5 xDrive35d benefits from the latest BMW Advanced Diesel technology. The 3.0-liter engine, whose BMW TwinPower Turbo technology comprises VNT turbo charging and common rail direct injection, now develops maximum power of 255 hp and maximum torque of 413 lb-ft which is delivered between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm.         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.BMW Manufacturing Co.BMW Manufacturing Co. is a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich, Germany and is the global producer of the BMW X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupe. In addition to the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW North American subsidiaries include sales, marketing and financial services operations in the United States, Canada and throughout Latin America; and a design firm and technology office in California. For more information on BMW Manufacturing, visit www.bmwusfactory.com.BMW Group In AmericaBMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes.  The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers, 119 MINI passenger car dealers, and 34 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com.