![]() ![]() We found it to be one of the easiest ways ever to get to a destination. Selecting a new destination, changing the color of the interior lighting or making a phone call was accomplished simply by pressing the voice recognition button and voicing a command. This allowed us to choose any of our favorite stations with a flick of our thumb and a press of the same button. We also found we could change the radio station favorites by simply rolling a switch on the steering wheel, causing the list to appear in the windshield. Navigational information would appear to point us toward any destination we put in. ![]() Our test ride also came with a heads up display that was full color and had all kinds of informational tricks up its sleeve. The second new 12.3-inch LED screen sits in front of the driver and contains all the information needed to drive the car, even displaying a navigation map in the middle. For example, if we wanted the radio louder, making a clockwise circle in the air would do it, while a counterclockwise motion turned it down. With the gesture technology, however, the functions can also be controlled simply by moving your hand a certain way in front of the screen. The X5 has a huge 12.3-inch iDrive screen that controls everything from the audio system and vehicle setup to climate control via the BMW twist and push knob on the center console. We also became enthralled with the gesture technology now included in new BMW vehicles. To start, how about wireless Apple CarPlay? BMW is the first automaker to use this kind of technology, and we find it very nice to eliminate the wire and use our phones wirelessly inside the vehicle. It seemed the engineers took everything they could think of to make the vehicle better on the inside and found a way to make it so. Inside, the new version of the X5 was loaded with all kinds of technology and comfort. This gave us more of a thrill when accelerating and helped us feel more in control when cornering. We would switch to Sport mode whenever we wanted to feel the suspension tighten up, get the engine growling just a little more and, of course, inject more attitude into the power plant. Then there is Sport mode, which keeps the combustion engine on all the time for a sportier driving experience and allows for more battery regeneration from the engine and when braking. The second, Electric only, can be used up to 84 mph. The first is Hybrid, which is a combination of gas and electric motor driving and limits the electric-only mode to 68 mph. The X5 comes with three different drive modes. Yes, it would put us back in our seats whenever we pushed down on the accelerator. This propelled the nearly 5,000-pound vehicle to 60 mph in a very short 5.3 seconds. The X5 xDrive45e comes with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder twin-turbo-powered engine along with an electric motor that puts out a very nice combined 389 horsepower. This would accommodate most everyone’s daily commute or at least take a huge chunk out of the drive on petrol, saving money each day for the owner. ![]() So, when BMW launches a new version of one of their vehicles, we know that a week of awesomeness is in store.Ĭhanges in this year’s new X5 hybrid include an added battery size, now offering up to 30 miles of electric-only range along with a top electric speed of 84 mph. Then there was the i8, a completely new idea in the technology world combining an electric motor with a Mini Cooper motor to come up with a supercar hybrid that turned more heads and got us more compliments than any other vehicle we have ever driven. ![]()
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