Updated 2004 X5 Gets 355-HP Engine Upgrade
With all the press garnered by the new X3, BMW's much improved 2004 X5 could almost come onto the market unnoticed.
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| For those that want a little more spice in their SUV life the outgoing 340-hp X5 4.6is is getting replaced by the much upgraded 4.8is. (Photo: BMW AG) |
Along with redesigned headlamp clusters, a new grille, and updated front and rear fascias, the new SUV gets the German brand's carryover inline-6 as well as its larger and more powerful 4.4-L V8, the latter good for 315-hp and 324 lb-ft of torque.
For those that want a little more spice in their SUV life the outgoing 340-hp X5 4.6is is getting replaced by the much upgraded 4.8is. The new top-tier X5, sporting an upgraded 355-hp 4.8-L V8, is expected to shoot to 100 km/h in 6 seconds and achieve a top speed 246 km/h.
The hotrod Bimmer gets the same all-new 6-speed auto gearbox with manual sequential mode as the regular X5, as well as its xDrive all-wheel drive system for dramatically improved traction wet or dry.
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| With Mercedes-Benz no longer offering its ML55 AMG, the X5 4.8is has little competition. (Photo: BMW AG) |
Its distinctive front fascia has been added with a deeper air dam, unique running boards now adorn its rocker panels, while a more firmly damped sport suspension joins 20-inch diameter wheels and tires to improve at the edge handling.
How much will it cost? So far no definitive pricing has been set, but expect it to start near the $94,500 of the 2003 X5 4.6is when it becomes available next year. At this price it will undercut its Porsche Cayenne Turbo competitor by $30,000 and offer similar performance on pavement, give or take 0.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 22 km/h in top speed. With Mercedes-Benz no longer offering its ML55 AMG, the X5 4.8is has little competition.