Auto Car Magazine: New BMW X5 in Depth

Saturday, January 5, 2008

New BMW X5 in Depth

Page 1: Short Version (I)
Page 2: Short Version (II)
Page 3: The Concept
Page 4: Driving Dynamics
Page 5: All Wheel Drive
Page 6: Power Units
Page 7: Automatic Transmission
Page 8: Exterior
Page 9: Interior
Page 10: Body & Safety
Page 11: The iDrive Control System
Page 12: Features and Equipment (I)
Page 13: Features and Equipment (II)
Page 14: Production
Page 15: Specifications

Production

More than 580,000 BMW X5s built in the USA sold since 1999.
BMW Plant Spartanburg works for the world market.
Production to BMW standards with the usual high level of quality.

Like its predecessor, the new BMW X5 is built at BMW’s Spartanburg Plant in South Carolina, USA, where the most advanced production technology ensures supreme precision and quality all round. Production of the bodyshell alone involves more than 300 robots, with the welding process being almost 100 per cent automated.

The bodyshell of the BMW X5 is made of ultra-high-strength steel at all crucial points, obviously requiring supreme precision in the production process. Precisely this is why BMW Plant Spartanburg uses the most sophisticated robot technology, high-tech machines incorporating optical monitoring systems to apply the bonding material required for maximum stiffness with supreme precision. All welding and bonding seams are then checked in a non-destructive process by means of ultrasound testers. And to ensure absolute accuracy on all body dimensions of the BMW X5, the Plant uses inline laser and measuring cameras to reduce operating times and ensure absolute reliability in quality.

Robot technology – the foundation for absolute efficiency in the “wedding”.

In the so-called “wedding”, the power unit and transmission are fitted into the body of the BMW X5 in a process now largely automated at BMW Plant Spartanburg. In this area alone, no less than 10 optical testing and monitoring systems ensure permanent, ongoing quality control, comparing predefined reference data with the actual data in the production process.

Installation of the windscreen largely automated.

The windscreen in the BMW X5 is fitted in position by two robot workstations each able to handle two vehicles at a time. A camera-guided, high-precision measuring system masterminds application of the bonding material and ensures that the windscreen is fitted in position properly.

In the first step a robot applies the bond around the edges of the rear window and side windows, and fits the rear window in position. Then the second robot applies the bond on the windscreen and also fits it into the vehicle, meaning that only the side windows subsequently have to be fitted by hand. This shortens operating times in this specific process by more than 50 per cent.

Ergonomics of the highest standard.
Working conditions in production of the BMW X5 have been further improved to the highest standard of ergonomics. Numerous options to swivel and turn the vehicles being assembled to the best position significantly facilitate installation of the various components.

The BMW X5 – an overwhelming success from America.

The foundations for the BMW Plant in Spartanburg were laid in 1992, with production of the BMW Z3 Roadster in South Carolina starting in 1995. So far the BMW Group has invested more than US $ 2.7 billion in the Plant, which currently employs some 4,500 associates. BMW Group sales in the USA have almost quadrupled since the Spartanburg Plant started operating, from 84,501 units in 1994 to 307,020 units in 2005.

The first BMW X5 came off the production line at BMW Plant Spartanburg in September 1999, with production reaching the 500,000-unit mark in June 2005. In the meantime more than 580,000 units of the BMW X5 have been delivered to customers.

BMW’s highly successful SAV is now exported to more than 120 countries the world over, and the new BMW X5 will also be built exclusively at BMW Plant Spartanburg strictly according to customer orders.

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