World Premiere of the BMW X5 xDrive40d in Leipzig

The most powerful diesel BMW X5, the xDrive40d, was shown off at the Leipzig Auto Show for the first time. The facelifted X5 xDrive40d comes with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology following the Variable Twin Turbo principle, where the small turbocharger cuts in just above idle speed and the larger turbocharger is activated under higher load.

The engine is the same from the 7-series 740d: a 3.0-liter straight-six cylinder engine developing a maximum torque of 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm. The unit reaches its peak output of 306 horsepower at 4,400 rpm.

The BMW X5 xDrive40d accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 6,6 seconds and has a top-speed of 146 mph (235 km/h). All that without excessive "drinking", average fuel consumption being rated at 37.7 mpg in the EU test cycle (7.5 liters/100 km). This is partly due to the 8-speed automatic transmission, made by ZF, that puts an emphasis on fuel-efficiency. Later on, the same engine will also be available on the X6 model.

Although the displacement of its engine is 3.0 liters, the model is named xDrive40d, in order to underline the performance delivered by this unit, equivalent to that of 4-5 liter diesel engines from Mercedes and Audi. This shows that downsizing can be a good thing and offers more advantages than disadvantages.

This new model won't be available in the U.S., because of the strict emission standards applied in all 50 states. However, if strong diesel sales continue in the USA, BMW will strive to offer more diesel engines. Currently, one of three BMWs X5 sold in December 2009 were diesels. The only diesel-equipped X5 that retails in the U.S. is the xDrive35d.