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Sunday, February 7, 2010

RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed)

BMW officially reveals 2011 X5 facelift

Posted: 07 Feb 2010 02:59 AM PST

BMW has finally unveiled the mid-cycle facelift for its X5 SUV/SAV. Even though a couple of pictures were leaked a few days ago, the 2011 X5 still has plenty of things to reveal to any SUV/BMW fan, and will definitely continue the strong sales it has been experiencing.

First off, let’s start with the cosmetic side of this facelift. The 2011 BMW X5 brings much needed changes to the front and rear fascias, which are now completely adorned with the color of the body work, instead of the old black finish, as well as restyled head and taillights, sporting LED technology. In the front, the air intakes are enhanced, bringing to mind the image of the X5 M performance edition, and the fog lights have been repositioned. In the back, customers will also find a new rear apron alongside the brand new LED taillights.

But one of the major changes brought forth by this facelift are the new, more powerful gasoline engines, taken straight from the X6 SAV. More specifically, the xDrive35i variant is now powered by the single-turbo 3.0-liter N55 unit, capable of 300 HP, while the xDrive50i gets the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine, capable of 400 HP. The xDrive35d has remained the same, which isn’t a bad thing considering that a third of X5 models sold in the US sport this unit under their hood.

European customers, on the other hand, will receive two new diesels alongside this facelift, one being the xDrive40d, which has a 3.0-liter inline-six capable of 306 HP, and the other being the xDrive30d, which even though outputs just 245 HP, promises to be the most frugal in the lineup.

Overall, the new 2011 BMW X5 facelift is a very interesting one. Customers will be able to admire it at the Geneva Motor Show this March and at the New York Auto Show in April. Stay tuned for more details, include a side by side comparison made by us later today. Until then, enjoy the photo gallery below.

Photo Gallery: 2011 BMW X5 facelift