2011 BMW X5 REVIEWS

BMW X5 Reviews – When seen for quite a while, there appears almost no to set the 2011 BMW x5 apart from today’s model. Nonetheless, BMW claims more than 4,000 modified or renewed parts have found their way into this strong-selling suv. The greatest exterior change is the restyled front bumper assembly that sports repositioned foglights, reshaped front and rear bumpers with increased body paint rather than black trim, revised head lamps and tail lights by using LED detailing, and larger central and outer air intakes up front for enhanced cooling of the engine and brakes, and embellished styling to emphasise the width of the vehicle’s stance.

The new BMWx5 cars get the fresh exterior and interior colors combined with latest iDrive and different light alloy wheel designs complete the makeover. Additionally , there is a range of three new colours: Deep Sea Blue, Platinum Grey and Sparkling Bronze. Inside, buyers can select Oyster or Cinnamon Brown for the leather trim in addition to the familiar Sand Beige, and Black.

The interior of the 2011 x5 is among the best in this class of cars. The dashboard has a gentle curve and a design that creates the entire instrument array on the dashboard simple. The only problem area with this sports model is its idrive system, which is yet to find favor mostly drivers. Another area of issue is the 3rd row of seats in the x5. The occupants in the 3rd row lack adequate leg room.

The important modifications though are hidden under the bonnet since the 2011 X5 gets the latest generation of turbocharged diesel (xDrive35d) and gasoline engines (xDrive35i and xDrive50i) as well as BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. All of engines now are available turbocharged, including the flagship xDrive50i, which packs a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8, the xDrive35i powered by the new N55 single-turbo 3.-liter straight six engine, and the xDrive35d with a twin-turbocharged 3.-liter diesel six.

The X5 xDrive50i develops 400 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 450 pound-feet of torque at 1,750-4,500 rpm and is capable of a 60 mph sprint time of just 5.3 seconds. The X5 xDrive35i makes do with ‘just’ 300 horsepower and is capable of reaching 60 mph from rest in a reasonable 6.4 seconds–the same pace as the outgoing V-8 powered X5 xDrive48i.

The X5 xDrive35d turbo-diesel continues to be available for the 2011 model year, and in spite of increased competition remains the fastest and most fuel efficient diesel-powered automobile in its segment. The vehicle’s 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque see it reach 60 mph from rest in 6.9 seconds while returning an EPA-estimated fuel saving of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Pricing for this model remains at $52,175 which includes destination and handling.

The 2011 x5 BMW is a mid size luxury SUV which is available in two trims. 0si, is power by a 6 cylinder engine whereas the second, the 4. 8i, is driven by a v8 engine. 8i are designed with 18-inch tires, adaptable xenon headlights, wipers that can sense rain, and also the idrive control system. Available as options on the x5 is a sports package in which is added an active suspension system, 19 inch tires and sports front seats. Inside technology package one will get a system which helps the driver park his x5, a camera in the rear. The 2011 x5 is 7. 4 inches longer and the base of its wheels is 4. 5 longer than its older counterparts.

The new BMW x5 2011 is definitely an attractive, and most chosen, mid size, high-class suv vehicle. It’s got many features like hi-tech gadgetry, remote operating one-touch power windows, dual-zone automatic climate control and am/fm/cd/mp3 12-speaker audio with auxiliary input.

The new 2011 x5 car is available in msrp $45,900 and msrp $54,500 trim levels, and competes with the Audi Q7, Cadillac SRX, Infiniti FX35 and FX45, Acura RDX, Mazda CX-9, Lincoln MKX, Lexus GX, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg, Land Rover LR2 and Volvo XC90. Leave your comment regarding this BMW x5 reviews.

Range Rover 2010 Review

The 2010 Range Rover Supercharged is bigger, brasher, plusher and more importantly faster, writes Sony Thomas (courtesy Wheels)

Honestly, I don't get the concept of a luxury 4x4. To me it is the perfect oxymoron. It's like scuba diving in your finest Armani suit and a pair of patent leather shoes. It's just wrong.

A few decades back, the only places where you'd expect to see 4x4s were up craggy hills, steep sand dunes or miry ditches. And in those days no one made 4x4s better than Land Rover. They were rugged, capable and spartan, the essential qualities a customer would expect in such a vehicle back then. Those who were looking for luxury went for saloons.

But then, times changed and the Germans transformed 4x4s into luxury sports cars on stilts. Even the Japanese started bringing out SUVs with creature comforts earlier seen only in luxury saloons. Land Rover gave in to peer pressure and began padding up their SUVs with wood, leather and the latest gizmos. And the fact that Range Rovers are still considered the ultimate 4x4 status symbols is testimony to what a wonderful job they did.

Although I really don't see the point of luxury SUVs, I couldn't say no when I was offered the 2010 Range Rover Supercharged for a week. Would you?

Moreover, since I have driven the Sport, and rather liked its 5.0-litre V8 engine, I am curious to see how it works in the top-banana Range Rover.

Not much has been changed on the outside, but for new headlights, bumper and redesigned mesh grille and side fenders. But there are quite a few changes inside. The 2010 Range Rover replaces the conventional instrument cluster with a 12in TFT screen, which displays all essential information apart from the virtual instrument dials. It also features a ‘dual view' infotainment screen in the centre console, which allows the driver and passenger to view different images at the same time. So you can still enjoy the views of the kerbs and lane markings offered by the 360-degree cameras, while your passenger enjoys a DVD movie. The interior is awash in high quality leather, including pillars, door casings and even the headlining.

However, the best bit about the 2010 model is the new supercharged V8 that's good for a stupendous 510bhp. Even with its weight of around 2,700kg, the daddy Range Rover feels properly quick off the line and unrelentingly fast on the move. But there is more than an acceptable amount of wind noise at cruising speeds, as it's not the best of aerodynamic designs around. But that's hardly a surprise since this Range Rover is about the size of a small villa.

That apart, the ride is as supple on the road as any luxury saloon out there. Features like the dynamic stability control, sand launch control, adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring are new in the 2010 version.

Overall, the 2010 Range Rover Supercharged is a definite improvement over the previous version. It's slightly better looking, it's got lavish amounts of luxury features, it's a highly capable off road vehicle, with added technology aids, and as icing on the cake, it has a gem of an engine under the bonnet.

But, despite all this, there's one quality that was synonymous with Land Rover vehicles missing from this car. And that's ruggedness. If it's just a good looking, able off-roader with a lot of high tech features that you're looking for, why pay so much when you have the brilliant Toyota Land Cruiser or the inspired new Nissan Patrol? They're both great on the road and off it, and now come with all the goodies you get in this car. But, if it's a status symbol that you're looking for, and you have a stash of dirhams lying around in a corner of your room, go ahead and get it.

Specs & rating

• Model: Vogue Supercharged
• Engine 5.0-litre V8
• Transmission: Six-speed auto, AWD
• Max power: 510bhp @ 6,000rpm
• Max torque: 625Nm @ 2,500rpm
• Top speed: 225kph
• 0-100kph: 6.2sec
• Price: Dh425,000
• Plus: Comfortable and sophisticated
• Minus: Not roomy enough for its size, X5, Q7, Cayenne handle better, expensive