BMW X5 4.8iS
A Sports Car Lurks Beneath The Bluff Lines Of The
BMW X5 4.8iS As Andy Enright Discovers
When BMW launched the X5 in 1998, they flew a bunch of journalists to South Carolina to nod their heads and stroke their chins at the spotless Spartanburg factory, let them drive through the woods on a 4x4 course and then did something that seemed completely barmy. They let the press corps loose on the Road Atlanta racetrack. Its a measure as to how far the X5 has changed perceptions that most would think it inappropriate to put the 4.8iS model through an off-road course, and would instead expect to receive a pit lane laminate.
In launching an even more powerful and sporty version of the X5, BMW have inevitably opted for a tarmac rather than off road-orientated bias. So much so in fact that the Hill Descent Control feature seems hopelessly optimistic. The 4.8iS builds upon the legacy left by its predecessor, the 4.
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6iS, with output rising from 347 to 360bhp. The serious attitude remains however, this X5 being more gangsta than Glyndebourne and far more at home pounding motorways and prowling the inner city than towing a horsebox. To put that power figure in perspective, thats more than BMWs astonishing M3 can muster and whilst the X5 body is a good deal heavier, it still translates into a rest to 60mph sprint of just 6.1 seconds (down from 6.
3s). Aerodynamics limit top speed to 153mph (up from 149mph) and the V8 pulls strongly right through to around 120mph, after which the needle crawls to its maximum. The brawn of the engine it cranks out 500lb/ft of torque (up from 354lb/ft) - means that it can lazily lug in gear or, if you really wish to hustle, you can slot the shifter left into S for Steptronic and change gear yourself. Like a proper sports car sequential box, with this version of Steptronic you tug the stick back to change up and knock it forward to change down.
Its worth remembering that you are in control here. The gearbox wont override you should you hit the redline, although such is the excellence of the software and the huge slug of torque available, its no great hardship to leave the stick in D for Drive.
"With 360bhp on tap and a serious attitude, the X5 4.8iS is more gangsta than Glyndebourne"
Should you (rather foolishly) take the X5 4.8iS off road, youll find the Hill Descent Control system considerably sophisticated. Rather than just trundle down at an arbitrary 6mph, its possible to tailor the speed between 4 and 16mph using steering wheel mounted controls. But why bother? Others do it far better, but nobody makes a better job of a big sports 4x4 than
BMW which is in itself both a plaudit and a concern.
Keeping power and traction perfectly balanced is the responsibility of BMWs new xDrive four-wheel drive system. Standard across the BMW X5 and X3 ranges, xDrive uses a centrally mounted electronically-controlled clutch to distribute power to the axle with most traction. In conjunction with this clutch, BMWs standard DSC system can reduce power and even brake individual wheels to ensure the car benefits from all available grip. This sets new standards for traction from a 4 x 4 system and ensures that any loss of footing is dealt with in an instant, rather than waiting until the car becomes physically unstable.
Those who appreciate the high seating position, cavernous load bay and prodigious power of the X5 4.8iS will see no other vehicle worth dignifying with the status of opposition. Others will wonder what the point is of a fundamentally compromised road car that does very little any better than a BMW 545i Touring when set on the blacktop. Nobody would argue with the fact that it looks absolutely fantastic.
Arriving to sell against rivals like Porsches spectacularly ugly Cayenne, the X5 4.8iS has subtly flared wheel arches that shroud some monster 20-inch wheels. With enormous 315/35 ZR20 rubber at the back, few following will have many doubts as to this vehicles potency. With such a huge, flat tread footprint off-road traction is poor, but that would be getting sensible and this is fundamentally a magnificently absurd car.
A body coloured front air dam gives the front end some attitude, with huge air scoops punched into it and splitters at either side looking like escapees from the BMW-Williams F1 programme. At the back youll spot a body coloured rear airdam and two chromed rectangular exhausts on each side. Five body colours are available, Imola Red, Le Mans Blue, Sterling Grey, Titanium Silver and Sapphire Black. The interior has come in for some treatment as well, with a number of standard features over and above the cooking 4.
4 V8 model. These include velour floor mats, a ten-speaker, six-disc CD system, rear head and side airbags, Spirit-Nappa leather upholstery, Xenon headlamps and an M-style rev counter where orange and red bars act as a guide to how many revs to use as the engine warms. The X5 4.8iS seems to shrug off a good deal of its size and weight when you prod this engine into life.
Granted, a great deal of this is down to BMWs excellent DSCIII dynamic stability control system that keeps the worst of the lofty X5s mass under its watchful eye. Switch it off, give yourself plenty of spare room to play with and youll soon appreciate how clever the system is. Its huge fun, the V8s gravelly bellow throwing the big car from corner to corner, grip surprisingly good, steering full of heft and feel. Get it out of phase and youll feel a sudden unwieldiness.
Youll also feel the pain of your 9mpg jolly along with two rather molten looking front tyres. Drive in a rather more adult manner and youll see an average of not much more than 15mpg, but this is one small number in an ocean of big figures. Take pricing. At £58,450, the X5 4.
8iS weighs in with a heftier tag than a top Range
Rover or a Mercedes ML55 AMG. You could virtually buy two Jeep Grand Cherokees for this amount, and those who frequently feel the need for speed will realise that this is knocking on the door of
Porsche 911 money. Chances are, though, that X5 4.8iS customers will probably have a 911 or a
Ferrari in the garage as well.
The target demographic for this vehicle could loosely be described as the pornographically affluent. Its showy, its excessive, its quite unnecessary. I want one.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: BMW X5 4.8iS
PRICE: £58,450 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 20
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 6.1s/ Max Speed 153mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 20.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and window airbags, rear window and side airbags, ABS, DSCIII, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Stability Control
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4667/2190/1707mm
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