'€œOff-road driving in the desert of Bromo in a BMW X5; really?'€ The question arose in response to an invitation to join a test drive of the latest model, the BMW X5, in June.

The question was finally answered on June 9, the day for testing the performance of the BMW X5, which was officially launched several months earlier.

Dennis Kadaruskan, product planning manager for PT BMW Indonesia, said the opportunity had been offered to several media outlets so as to attest to the reliability of what he called '€œthe all new BMW X5'€.

The previous test drive was for the xDrive50i series in 2011.

Outside Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, East Java, a row of BMW X5s could be seen at the end of the exit.  BMW designers have successfully maintained the typical features of this big sport activity vehicle (SAV), although its details have become far more modern.

The front looks sportier with a wider and longer grill besides its LED headlights and fog-lamps, resembling the line-ups of other BMW series.

Its taillights are also sturdy and dashing, giving the new design a fresh appearance and making it more streamlined, with more robust wheels fitting well into the body for the use of R19-diameter rims.

Its more exclusive interior is displayed by the dashboard, door trims and wooden frames, in an elegant style further enhanced by LED cabin lamps lighting the floor and door trims.

An impression of modernity prevails, as the automatic seat upholstery combines nicely with the dashboard monitor and headrest, enabling the driver to view all corners.

After starting the ignition, a very masculine yet gentle sound of the engine characterizes the BMW X5.

The driver is offered a control panel with wide choice in the middle of the console; albeit needing some time to memorize all the panel functions.

Other interesting features are the widest middle screen ever and the iDrive Touch Controller to identify touch. At night, gorgeous ambience light lines illuminate the dashboard and trim in adjustable colors.

In a congested part of Surabaya, the test-drive group was taken to try some maneuvers and ascertain the level of fuel-consumption efficiency. Pushing the comfort button on the console resulted in an easy steering maneuver, despite the winding route and heavy traffic.

Making its way through the traffic jam, the group proceeded to the Tanjung Perak'€“Porong toll road. As the BMW X5'€™s engine flaunted its smooth performance on the freeway, BMW Indonesia driving instructor Gerry Nasution suggested the use of the sport button.

The effect was stunning: The car, which weighs about 2.2 tons, was darting responsively, as a consequence of its 3,000-cc twin-turbo six-cylinder engine '€” equivalent to that of 4,500 cc. On a straight track, it took only 6.5 seconds to reach 100 kilometers per hour.

The group carried on from Probolinggo toward Mount Bromo though undulating and zigzagging roads as far as a chilly highland to take a rest at the Java Banana Hotel. At 3 a.m., the group set off again to Seruni Point to watch the sunrise.

The route leading to Seruni Point is quite tough and not very familiar to tourists, as it has been covered
by landslide debris for a decade. But it was just the challenge for the BMW X5.

On the stony, sandy and slippery non-asphalt road with an ascending and winding terrain, the car'€™s full-time xDrive was activated.

The xDrive is a smart system that drives all the wheels, managing the distribution of the driving force to front and rear wheels at any given time.

The all-wheel-drive model is equipped with the latest xDrive status display on the control screen in 3D graphics. This feature directly presents body roll and pitch information.

After enjoying the sunrise amid beautiful foggy mountains, the group continued its tour to the Bromo Desert. The road here was quite tricky, as it offered a steep and slick descent. Here the hill descent control (HDC) was activated. The HDC is an xDrive support system to maintain the vehicle at a fixed speed and help its brake control so that the driver can fully concentrate on the steering wheel.

In the Bromo Desert, the xDrive system again proved its capability, even on dried waterways with a high degree of steepness and declivity.

The BMW X5 responded to the challenge by handling its driving force distribution between front, rear, left and right wheels at the same time without a hitch. Even above-spec, off-road, four-wheel-drives are not always able to face this challenge with ease.

Unsurprisingly, the BMW X5 has won the attention of automobile enthusiasts since 1999. It has been an SAV pioneer and a leader of the class in the global market.

Its fresh design, high technology, great comfort and innovations make it a distinctive car. There are two engine variants in Indonesia, the BMW X5 35i and 50i. BMW Indonesia puts the floor, off-road price at Rp 1.3 trillion (US$111.92 million).

'€œAs a special and prized product, the BMW X5 is the best-selling model. Globally, 1.3 million X5s have been produced and contribute to a third of BMW'€™s total sales, in 140 markets,'€ said Jodie O'€™Tania, BMW Indonesia'€™s corporate communications head, on the return journey from the exciting, off-road adventure in the BMW X5 in Bromo.

'€” Photos By
JP/R. Berto Wedhatama

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