New BMW X5 L for China: plus 130 mm to the wheelbase and hope to regain former love
Just a month after the premiere of the fifth-generation global BMW X5 (factory index G65), its stretched version for China has been presented with its own factory index G78. The new BMW X5 L will go on sale only next year.
BMW started lengthening the “X-five” for China not so long ago: the first time this happened was in 2022 with the fourth-generation crossover, and at the same time the “X-five” was first localized in China at the joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) in Shenyang. The Chinese received the fourth-generation BMW X5 L well; for the first couple of years it was one of the best-selling models in its segment, but now demand for it is falling, as it is for the rest of the BMW model lineup. According to the company itself, in the first half of this year, combined sales of BMW and Mini brands in China fell by 20.4% to 261,773 vehicles. With this momentum, nothing will remain of BMW’s influence in China in a couple of years, but nevertheless, the new stretched “X-five” will be here.
The new BMW X5 L is made using exactly the same recipe as the previous one: the wheelbase is increased by 130 mm to 3165 mm. How much the length has grown compared to the global version of the crossover is not yet known, but since there are no fundamental differences in appearance between the Chinese and global versions, the increase is likely the same 130 mm, meaning the overall length of the new Chinese BMW X5 L is 5124 mm.
The entire increase benefits second-row passengers: in the Chinese BMW X5 L, they can freely stretch their legs forward, place them on extendable footrests, recline the seatbacks, and comfortably sleep on the road. Awake passengers can watch movies on a screen with 8K resolution that lowers from the ceiling. The panoramic glass roof extends almost to the rear headrests. The multimedia system is adapted for Chinese users, meaning all banned Western apps have been “cut out” and replaced with Chinese ones.
The new BMW X5 L will enter the Chinese market only next year, so specific modifications have not yet been announced: it is only known that there will be gasoline, hybrid, and fully electric versions. The electric crossover is called the BMW iX5 L.
What are the prospects? They are poor. The problem is that even the localized BMW X5 L is extremely expensive in China: namely, from 598,000 yuan (6.9 million rubles at the current exchange rate) for the previous-generation crossover. For that kind of money, you can get a much more powerful and high-tech Zeekr 9X “fully loaded” or any other large fresh crossover from a well-known Chinese brand. The upcoming Xiaomi SkyNomad N90 will simply “kill” the new BMW X5 L with its price. What is BMW management counting on then? Apparently, on inertia: for another couple of years, BMW’s business in China will most likely remain profitable, and then the shop can be gradually closed down.
