BMW's grunt machine

By DAVID LINKLATER

A thunderous 4.8-litre V8 engine will lead the facelifted BMW X5 line-up for next year. Power and torque figures are yet to be revealed, but expect the new powerplant to boast substantially more grunt than the present range-topper, the 255kW/480Nm 4.6is.

The 4.8 is just one of three new engine options for the revitalised X5. Out goes the existing 4.4-litre V8 in favour of the new Valvetronic 4.4, as used in the Seven and forthcoming Five series sedans.

In X5 guise it makes 235kW, an increase of 25kW over the outgoing model. It slices half a second off the car's 0-100km/h sprint - now 7s. A six-speed automatic gearbox is standard.

The new Five also lends its second-generation common rail 3-litre turbo diesel engine to the X5. The new 3.0d boasts 163kW and an impressive 500Nm or torque - gains of 26kW and 110Nm.

The new engine thrusts the 3.0d to 100km/h in 8.3s.

The 3-litre petrol is the only powerplant carried over from the present model.

The X5 is already highly acclaimed for its on-road abilities, but the new xDrive four-wheel-drive system - also used in the forthcoming "baby" X3 - promises to improve off-road traction, too.

The present X5's four-wheel-drive system has a fixed front-to-rear ratio and uses the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system to combat wheel slippage on tricky terrain.

But xDrive is an "intelligent" drivetrain that analyses information from the DSC - including yaw rate and steering angle - to predict loss of traction.

A mid-mounted electrically controlled clutch distributes torque constantly between front and rear, varying the delivery depending on driving conditions.

The new X5 is marked by subtle styling revisions up to the A-pillar. The new headlights, with integrated indicators and illuminated rings, bring the crossover into line with more recent BMW models. The bonnet features sharper edges and a revised interpretation of the classic twin-kidney grille.

A number of the carmaker's new safety features have also filtered into the X5. Bi-Xenon headlights, which are standard on the V8 models and optional on the sixes, can also be specified with an adaptive mounting system that illuminates the road around corners.

Also new is a Trailer Stabilisation Control function for the DSC. Sensors monitor and measure any dangerous pendulum motion from a swaying trailer and acts to return and tries to restore the car and trailer to a more stable attitude when required.

The revised X5 could be on New Zealand roads before Christmas in 3.0 and 4.4 forms.

The high-performance 4.8 V8 is expected to follow early next year.