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23 July 2003: The upgraded BMW X5 will debut in September at the Frankfurt Motorshow, and RHD versions will be available in January 2004.

The car receives three new engines, including a 4.4i V8, with a new high performance 4.8iS arriving in spring 2004. BMW’s latest six-cylinder 3.0 diesel engine is added to the line up, and is complemented by the 3.0i petrol engine carried over from the existing car.

The new BMW 4.4i V8 engine is mated to a new six-speed automatic gearbox with gear ratios tailored for the new X5. Developing 320 bhp (an increase of 34 bhp over the outgoing model), the X5 4.4i accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 7.0 seconds (previously 7.5 seconds) before reaching a top speed of 149 mph (up from 143 mph) in its Sport guise.

The 3.0d features the second-generation common rail diesel engine, producing 218 bhp (previously 184 bhp) and a huge 500 Nm of torque (up from 410 Nm). From standstill, 100 km/h is reached in 8.3 seconds (1.8 seconds faster than its predecessor) whilst still delivering 32.8 mpg on the combined cycle. Top speed is 130 mph (up from 124 mph), helped by the new six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard.

BMW’s new xDrive system gets the power to the road or offroad on all four wheels in proportions as required. This completely new, intelligent four-wheel drive system, announced recently on the forthcoming X3, constantly varies drive between the front and rear axles, depending upon the traction requirements.

The front of the car has been revised up to the A pillar, most noticeably the new headlamp units, with sweeping contours and integrated indicator lamps, that match the design language of other recently introduced BMW models. Also, in common with other models, illuminated headlamp rings form the sidelights on the new car.

The bonnet has been redesigned, with sharper edges that run into the trademark double kidney grilles, that have also been reshaped and enlarged.

Also revised is the front valance section, with redesigned fog lamps and larger air intakes now divided in the centre by a continuation of the bonnet’s lines.

At the rear, new transparent glass lamps complement the revisions to the front.

	July 2003 - Brian Byrne
Upgraded X5 in January 23 July 2003: The upgraded BMW X5 will debut in September at the Frankfurt Motorshow, and RHD versions will be available in January 2004. The car receives three new engines, including a 4.4i V8, with a new high performance 4.8iS arriving in spring 2004. BMW’s latest six-cylinder 3.0 diesel engine is added to the line up, and is complemented by the 3.0i petrol engine carried over from the existing car. The new BMW 4.4i V8 engine is mated to a new six-speed automatic gearbox with gear ratios tailored for the new X5. Developing 320 bhp (an increase of 34 bhp over the outgoing model), the X5 4.4i accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 7.0 seconds (previously 7.5 seconds) before reaching a top speed of 149 mph (up from 143 mph) in its Sport guise. The 3.0d features the second-generation common rail diesel engine, producing 218 bhp (previously 184 bhp) and a huge 500 Nm of torque (up from 410 Nm). From standstill, 100 km/h is reached in 8.3 seconds (1.8 seconds faster than its predecessor) whilst still delivering 32.8 mpg on the combined cycle. Top speed is 130 mph (up from 124 mph), helped by the new six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard. BMW’s new xDrive system gets the power to the road or offroad on all four wheels in proportions as required. This completely new, intelligent four-wheel drive system, announced recently on the forthcoming X3, constantly varies drive between the front and rear axles, depending upon the traction requirements. The front of the car has been revised up to the A pillar, most noticeably the new headlamp units, with sweeping contours and integrated indicator lamps, that match the design language of other recently introduced BMW models. Also, in common with other models, illuminated headlamp rings form the sidelights on the new car. The bonnet has been redesigned, with sharper edges that run into the trademark double kidney grilles, that have also been reshaped and enlarged. Also revised is the front valance section, with redesigned fog lamps and larger air intakes now divided in the centre by a continuation of the bonnet’s lines. At the rear, new transparent glass lamps complement the revisions to the front.
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