Tag Archives: x5

NEWS

Man awarded RM8.95 million after soft-close door snaps his thumb

Perhaps there are some who feel that their BMW is already expensive enough to disturb their pockets, but there are those who become ‘richer’ after owning a BMW.

An American man has won a lawsuit worth USD 1.9 million (RM 8.95 million) after his finger was caught and severed by a door with a soft-close function.

Godwin Boateng, a self-employed software engineer, claimed that the soft-close door on his 2013 BMW X5 was not functioning properly and trapped the tip of his thumb.

In the incident in July 2016, Boateng was resting his finger on the driver’s door of the X5 with the door open about one foot. The door then closed, trapping his thumb until it severed. Surgeons were unable to reattach his finger.

Boateng sued BMW for an amount of USD 3 million (RM 14.13 million), stating that he would face a loss of USD 250,000 (RM 1.12 million) in annual income as a self-employed software engineer.

BMW inspected Boateng’s X5 and determined that there was no issue with the soft-close door. The German company also stated that the owner’s manual warned about the door and mentioned that the “the plaintiff understood since childhood not to put a finger or body part between a door and its frame while it is closing.”

The case gained traction, and earlier this month, the jury agreed to award compensation worth USD 1.9 million (RM 8.95 million). BMW was not found guilty for the faulty door, but the jury still believed the company was 100 percent at fault for Boateng’s thumb injury.

In the lawsuit claim, Boateng argued that BMW’s soft-close door is more dangerous compared to windows that use sensors to detect objects between the window and frame.

The lawsuit also included graphic descriptions of Boateng’s thumb injury, stating that the door not so “softly snapped through the flesh, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, musculature, and bone structure of Boateng’s right thumb.”

Following the assessment, BMW maintained that there was no damage to the vehicle or the functioning of the soft-close door.

However, it is uncertain whether they will make any design changes in the future.

Photos credit: NY Post

NEWS

BMW X5 Silver Anniversary Edition is the first X model to get xOffroad package

Nearly 25 years ago, on September 1, 1999, the very first X5 (E53) rolled off BMW’s Spartanburg assembly plant, thus creating the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) category embraced by the automaker to this day.

To celebrate the momentous occasion, BMW is offering the X5 Silver Anniversary Edition, a limited-edition model based on the G05 X5 xDrive40i that features off-road-focused upgrades.

Starting with the exterior, the X5 Silver Anniversary Edition comes in the Lime Rock Grey Metallic paint picked straight from the BMW Individual catalogue

The classy shade is complemented by the Extended Shadowline Trim, which includes dark-coloured trims on the window surrounds, roof rails, fender mounted Air Breathers, and the standard illuminated kidney grille.

Inside, the sport seats are upholstered either in Black, Cognac, Coffee, or Silverstone Sensafin. Carbon fibre trims on the centre console and dashboard, usually available only on the X5 M60i and X5 M Competition, are included as well.

Other features include a curved display with BMW Operating System 8.5, Live Cockpit Professional, head-up display, and navigation with Augmented Reality display. You will also find the Silver Anniversary Edition plaque on the center console.

What makes the X5 Silver Anniversary Edition more appealing is the inclusion of the xOffroad package, which is not offered on any other current BMW X model.

Said package includes xSnow, xSand, xGravel, and xRocks driving modes, which function to adjust the vehicle’s ride height, transmission shift strategy, throttle mapping, traction control, and other parameters accordingly.

Bundled together in the package are 2-axle air suspension for increased ground clearance, a mechanical rear differential lock, and underbody protection plates.

There is also a special xOffroad View in the central display that informs the driver about ground clearance, roll tendency, and the inclination or downhill gradient of the terrai. Additionally, an external camera provides views of the terrain from all angles outside the vehicle at speeds below 35 km/h.

BMW also provides a roof rack system, luggage compartment mat, and all-weather floor mats are also included. Customers will also be offered a discount on more aggressive General Grabber All-Terrain tyres purchased and installed at their dealer.

The X5 Silver Anniversary Edition will be limited to just 1,000 units in the United States, with prices starting at $79,900 (RM376,074).

NEWS

BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport facelift previewed in Malaysia

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BMW Malaysia recently previewed the facelifted fourth-generation BMW X5, which will be offered here in the xDrive50e variant together with the M Sport package as standard.

Looks wise, the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) now appears sharper with redesigned front lights that are 35 mm slimmer than before, a new LED daytime running light signature, M Sport body kit as well as 21-inch M alloy rims to complete the look.

Inside, there’s a 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display powered by BMW Operating System 8.5, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, iDrive Controller with voice, touch or the optional Gesture Control, ambient Light Bar with crystalline surface structure, and a Harman Kardon audio system.

The centre console in the new X5 features a restructured layout and additional touch-sensitive function keys, with gear changes now executed using a rocker switch. Other creature comforts includ BMW Comfort Access, Driving Assistant Professional, and Parking Assistant Professional.

Like the xDrive45e variant that was offered previously, the X5 xDrive50e continues to be powered by the 3.0-litre inline-six cylinder engine combined with an electric motor, but the plug-in hybrid powertrain is now more potent with a total system output of produces 489 PS and 700 Nm, an increase of 95 PS and 100 Nm.

In addition to higher system output, the electric driving range has also increased to 110 km (WLTP cycle), while the charging can now handle up to 7.4 kW, allowing the vehicle to be charged from 0 to 100% in 4.5 hours.

The X5 xDrive50e M Sport will be offered in four exterior colors, namely Black Sapphire, Manhattan, Mineral White, and Skyscraper Grey. For the interior, customers get a Merino leather upholstery in Black or Tartufo.

Official pricing for the X5 xDrive50e have not been announced yet but according to BMW Malaysia, it is estimated to retail for RM530,000.