[14] Bmw X5 M Sport On Daily Gallery

A little more than 10 years ago, BMW put the “sport” in “sport-utility vehicle” with the ground-breaking, delightfully nimble X5. That same vehicle also took the “utility” out of “sport-utility vehicle”—literally—being assigned the BMW-invented “sport activity vehicle” moniker instead. The rechristening was a clever trick that attempted to manage expectations not met by its small cargo area, which held less than that of the 5-series wagon of the day. For 2007, the X5 grew considerably to address the latter issue, although its sterling six- and eight-cylinder engines and sparkling new chassis ensured that plenty of sportiness, and the “SAV” moniker, remained. Now for the 2011 model year—which for BMW begins this April—the X5 looks as if it may get even better, with freshened styling, minor content adjustments, and most significantly, new turbocharged inline-six and V-8 gasoline engines mated to eight-speed automatic transmissions.

Subtle Styling Update

As is typical for a BMW, the X5’s mid-cycle styling update is so subtle as to require a side-by-side comparison for most people to tell the difference. So you don’t have to open any more browser windows, here are the 2011 changes in a nutshell: The hood and grille are carry-over, but the plastic front fenders now meet a full-width and painted front bumper skin containing larger apertures and a scuff-plate-look metallic lower trim piece. New headlamps feature LED rings (a.k.a. “angel eyes”) and the fog lamps are set higher and more inboard.

In back, the bumper cap has been reshaped to match the look of the one up front, complete with the faux scuff plate. Chrome-trimmed taillamps also now adopt the bitchin’ LED “light banks” now found on the rumps of most BMW models. Toss in new exhaust tips, and the transformation is basically complete.

Turbos, Turbos, Everywhere

Far bigger news is the installation of BMW’s twin-scroll, single-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six in the new xDrive35i (which replaces last year’s entry-level xDrive30i) and stellar twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 in the new xDrive50i (which replaces the xDrive48i). Each engine pairs with BMW’s excellent new eight-speed automatic. The xDrive35i brings the base model’s power and torque up to a nice, even 300 hp and 300 lb-ft (up from 260 hp and 225 lb-ft), while lobbing about a second and a half off the 0-to-60-mph sprint, which BMW estimates will take about 6.4 seconds for the 2011 model.

The change in performance should be similarly dramatic with the xDrive50i, which is powered by the same twin-turbo V-8 found in the slant-back X6 xDrive50i; the engine is good for 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. BMW expects the new X5 xDrive50i to hit 60 in a scant 5.3 seconds, more than a second off BMW’s estimate of 6.4 seconds for the outgoing model. Now, in the past, we have found BMW to be conservative with its acceleration estimates (we recently hustled our long-term X6 xDrive50i—with its six-speed transmission—to 60 mph in five seconds flat), so we look forward to seeing by just how much we can beat BMW’s clock. Fuel economy figures for both models will be announced closer to their April on-sale date, but don’t look for much of a change from current levels, as we expect both engines' extra grunt to go some ways toward cancelling out the greater efficiency of the eight-speed’s wider gear spread.

The (relatively) fuel-efficient and über-torquey turbo-diesel X5 xDrive35d and the fire-breathing, twin-turbocharged 555-hp X5 M won’t receive significant powertrain changes for 2011. Fine by us; we sampled both models last year, and neither needed help in that department.

Model Realignment, Price Drop for Base Model

For 2011, the X5 xDrive35i will be available in—what’s this?—three trim levels (yes, trim levels on a BMW!). The lineup starts with the “essential” X5 xDrive35i, which will be available for $1800 less than last year’s base model, at $46,675. The X5 xDrive35i Premium brings 19-inch wheels, USB and iPod integration, privacy glass, leather seats, and a $52,475 price tag, as well as access to several options such as the Convenience package, Active Ventilated Seat package, Cold Weather package, Technology package, and third-row jump seats. At the top of the xDrive35i range sits the $54,975 X5 xDrive35i Sport Activity, which features 20-inch wheels, sport seats, and darkened trim on the headliner and around the windows. The M Sport package becomes available on this trim, adding performance tires, BMW’s Adaptive Drive system, slight aero-inspired styling tweaks, and sundry M-branded interior bits.

Pricing for the X5 xDrive35d remains unchanged at $52,175, while the X5 xDrive50i jumps $2100 over the old xDrive48i with a price of $59,275. Alas, no separate trim levels will be offered on either, although it should be noted that Active Cruise Control (with full-stop capability) and lane-departure warning systems are available on the X5 for the first time for 2011. The X5 M starts at $86,375, the same as last year.

Even with the lower base price for the X5 xDrive35i, the X5 lineup is still hardly cheap, and indeed, many of our test vehicles have come in close to or above $60K without the V-8, and closer to $70K with it. But for 2011, the X5’s newfound grunt may make such expenditures seem rather more worth it.

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