[Patarix]

Excerpt from http://news.drive.com.au/drive/new-c...920-2u41u.html:

Not matter how many people it's carrying though, the X5 offers more than adequate levels of performance, luxury and flexibility in the way it drives.

We only got to sample the range-topping petrol V8 (dubbed X5 50i) and the mid-spec turbo diesel (X5 30d) on the launch north of Vancouver, but, by the time it arrives in Australia, they will be joined by the M50d with its monstrous 700Nm triple turbo diesel six-cylinder and a rear-wheel drive model with a 2.0-litre turbo four (called the X5 sDrive 25i) will become the price leader when it joins the range in the middle of next year.

Not surprisingly, the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, which produces more both power and torque - up 30kW and 50Nm to 330kW/650Nm - and yet uses less fuel, is the sweetest of the two engines. It feels effortlessly powerful and ultra smooth in its delivery and is matched perfectly to the seamless eight-speed automatic gearbox for relaxed cruising.

Flick it into Sport mode and its character rises from effortless to energetic and it makes light work of overtaking or a quick blast up a back country road.

There's also enough aural presence emanating from its twin tailpipes to please the driver, and alert other motorists of its potential performance.

The diesel is hardly a slouch either; with 190kW and 560Nm on tap it feels nearly as rapid as the V8 and just as effortless, but doesn't have the same level of smoothness, nor does it sound as sweet.

Underneath the X5, it now rides on a mixed suspension set up with conventional steel springs up front and air-filled dampers at the back linked to an adaptable system with comfort and sports settings. In the former, both variants of the X5 we drove displayed exceptional levels of ride comfort even on 20-inch alloys, although it must be noted that the roads were typically smooth for an Alpine region and we'll have to reserve final judgement of how it will tackle Australia's patchwork of roads when it arrives.

Similarly, in Sport mode both handled the twisty mountain passes with such sure-footedness that they easily masked their two-tonne kerb weight.

If there's any area for improvement it's the car's steering feel; in both comfort and sport modes, the electric assistance doesn't return to centre as naturally as a traditional hydraulic system, but otherwise feels light around town for such a big car.

But, overall, the new X5 displays incremental improvements in every conceivable area - luxury, performance and efficiency - that is a clear case of if ain't broke, don't mess with it.