X5 prices announced

BMW has announced pricing for its all-new X5 SUV flagship. The car, which now boasts seven-seat capacity and is bigger in almost every dimension that the generation it replaces, will kick off from $85,000.

That will buy you a 'stripper' version of the 3.0si powered by BMW's excellent 200kW 3.0-litre inline petrol six. The top of the new X5 range, the 4.8-litre V8-engine 4.8i, is priced from a more substantial $118,300. Expect an M-fettled hi-po V8 version eventually, to take on the likes of Mercedes' ML 63 AMG.

By far the most popular X5s with buyers will be the two versions of the 3.0d that will be offered. In the previous series, turbodiesels accounted for better than 70 per cent of X5 sales Down Under.

The new-generation oiler X5 kicks off with the 3.0d priced at $86,800. An Executive version with more goodies will be offered from $96,300. This Executive option will also stretch to the petrol six in due course -- it will be priced from $94,500.

All Australian-delivery X5s will come standard with BMW's ZF-sourced six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The previous generation offered a six-speed manual version but cars so-equipped accounted for only a handful of sales.

The X5 gets a new suspension system using what BMW claims is a "unique" double wishbone arrangement at the front and a four-link independent rear set-up.

Dubbed an SAV in BMW-speak -- Sports Activity Vehicle -- the maker claims the new X5 is the first vehicle of its type to offer "such leading-edge technology as Active Steering, AdaptiveDrive anti-roll suspension and Head-Up Display."

The new X5 also gets revised, more powerful but more frugal engines and a new all-wheel drive system that operates in a 40:60 (fr:rr) torque split in normal going.

The new X5 will make its Down Under debut at Melbourne International Motor Show next month. Customer deliveries of the BMW X5 diesel and V8 petrol models will commence the following month says BMW, with the first 3.0si models due mid-year.

For more details on the new generation X5 click