BMW X5: Slate Insert for $1,000 That No One Asked For
The new BMW X5 is stirring up plenty of controversy with its bold design, and this applies not only to the exterior but also to the interior. It turns out that all early models will be equipped with an unusual and expensive slate insert in the interior, regardless of whether the buyer wanted it. It is currently impossible to refuse it, which has caused dissatisfaction among customers.
Why Slate and How Much Does It Cost?
BMW’s online configurator for the new X5 shows that every early production car must be ordered with the Individual Clear & Bold option for 950 euros (about $1,085 at the current exchange rate). So what is it? Despite the strange name, the option looks quite attractive: a thin strip of real slate on the center console around the updated gear shift lever. This is an unusual material for a car, and BMW is not shy about emphasizing it.
According to BMW Blog, this option makes the X5 the first production car with a slate insert, and it is certainly much better than glossy black plastic. BMW says it will start producing the X5 without this piece of slate from December, giving dissatisfied buyers a date to mark on their calendars.
The standard equipment of models with the Individual Clear & Bold package also includes crystal glass on the door panels for seat adjustment, as well as controls on the center console. Undoubtedly, paying 950 euros ($1,080) for a few small details is a lot of money, amounting to about 1% of the starting price of the base model in Germany, which is 95,750 euros ($109,500).
Powertrains for Every Taste
While not everyone will like the design of the new X5, BMW offers powertrains to suit most potential buyers. The new X5 launches not only with diesel and gasoline engines, including a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 394 hp, but also with two plug-in hybrids. The first, known as the X5 50e AWD, delivers a total of 483 hp and 700 Nm of torque, while a more powerful M60e with 612 hp and 800 Nm will also be available.
In addition, the fully electric iX5 is now available, equipped with two motors for a total power of 570 hp and 804 Nm. In the near future, V8 engine models will also be offered, as well as the iX5 with hydrogen fuel cells.
Interestingly, BMW has decided to make the slate insert a mandatory option for early buyers, which has elicited mixed reactions. On one hand, it emphasizes the exclusivity and uniqueness of the material, which has never been used in cars before. On the other hand, forcing an expensive option without the ability to choose may alienate some customers who prefer more restrained or personalized trim. It is worth noting that this practice is not new for automakers, who often use initial batches to test new materials and design solutions, but usually it happens less intrusively. Whether slate will become a new trend in automotive design or remain just an expensive experiment, time will tell, but it is already clear that BMW seeks to distinguish its flagship SUV from competitors, even through such unconventional methods.