What's the news?
The new BMW X5 hasn't yet gone on sale in Ireland (not long now, though, just a few days really) but BMW is already lining up a new set of sexy M Performance branded accessories for the big new 4x4.
These aren't juts stick-on bits and pieces, either. Oh no, quite the contrary. According to BMW: "All components are perfectly matched - both with each other and with the specific properties of each model. In this way, they not only give the vehicle concerned a more striking, dynamic appearance but also serve a functional purpose. The features have a positive impact on the vehicle's aerodynamic properties, for instance, or contribute additionally to the intelligent lightweight concept."
Sounds good, so what can we have?
The most intriguing item on the list is All-Terrain Wheels. This is the first time that BMW M Sport has made wheels specifically for off-roading, and these ones are rather gorgeous 20-inch items, finished in a nice matte black. When paired up with new optional all-terrain tyres, they look properly rugged, and BMW says that they smooth out the ride quality too.
If you want to be a bit more bling-y, then there are also optional 22-inch M Performance light alloy wheels, which are said to knock 1kg off the unsprung weight at each corner, thanks to roll-rim wells made by a flow-forming technique. No, us neither but it sounds impressive. You can back up the performance intent of these wheels with an M Performance brake disc, which at 19 inches are larger than the standard stoppers and come with red-finished brake calipers.
There's also a whole bunch of carbon-fibre exterior trim finishes, all topped with a clear lacquer so that you can see the distinctive weave of the carbon beneath. You can have these carbon finishers for the front air intakes, the rear diffuser, and the wing mirror covers. There are also matte-black side-sill foils, which come with the M-Performance logos.
You can jazz up the inside with M Performance parts too, including a new, sportier-looking steering wheel which comes with Alcantara grips, and a red indicator stitched in at the 12 o'clock position (so that you can more accurately apply opposite lock when drifting your X5, of course...). You can also add carbon-fibre trim to the steering wheel, and even the manual gearshift paddles can be swathed in a carbon-effect cloth.
There are also floor mats, and extra leather options with contrasting seams.
Finally, there's the M Performance Analyser, which consists of a memory stick, which plugs into the on-board diagnostic port. The Drive Analyser, says BMW, is derived directly from motor racing: it provides the driver with all the main driving dynamics data, offering extensive and professional logging and analysis options. It also enables trip recording on a smartphone video camera, driving data logging and route tracking based on GPS position data. Just the thing for working out where your best braking points are on the school run, eh?
You want more? You can have more. M Performance key covers, LED door mirror lights, and even special M Performance tyre bags (for storing your summer tyres when you have your winter boots on, of course, why are you even asking?) are all available.