The BMW X5 is not the first luxury crossover SUV. That title actually belongs to the Lexus RX which first came out in 1998, a year before the X5. Still, the RX and the X5 were pioneers of the segment, and the latter celebrates a milestone this year.
BMW’s first SUV (fine, SAV) turns 25 this year. To commemorate that milestone, the X5 gets what’s called the Silver Anniversary Edition. A pretty straightforward name for a 25th anniversary model, we reckon.
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It would’ve been simpler to simply slap on 25th anniversary badges on the tailgate, jack up the price, and call it a day. But BMW decided that the X5’s significant birthday deserves a far better treatment. Which is why the company decided to give it an off-road package.
Granted, the BMW X5 isn’t exactly known for its off-roading abilities, but the kit fitted to this model can make any trail hunter happy. For starters, there’s twin-axle air suspension and extra ground clearance. There’s also off-road driving modes, namely xSnow, xSand, xGravel, and xRocks. There's even skidplates under the chassis for underbody protection.
Also included is something call xOffroad View. It’s essentially a camera that allows the driver to ‘see through’ the hood of the SUV to better judge any inclines, slopes, or obstacles. And if the going gets really tough, there’s a good ol’ mechanical rear differential lock. Oh, and there’s also an option to get all-terrain tires fitted to it. Neat stuff.
By the looks of it, you can get it in any color you want as long as it’s Lime Rock Grey, a BMW Individual paint option (read: Exclusive and more expensive). It also gets roof racks, a trailer hitch, and of course, Silver Anniversary Edition badges inside and out.
The sole engine option for this special X5 is a 3.0-liter inline-six turbopetrol. Badged as xDrive40i, it makes 375hp and 540Nm of torque. Safe to say it'll be more than enough to pull it out of trouble.
Unfortunately, it seems that the Silver Anniversary Edition is a North America-only model. There were no references to it outside of the US, not even in its home market of Germany. That said, it's interesting to not that the X5 isn't built anywhere near Europe. The main assembly hub has always been in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and there are also plants in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia that build this SUV.
