Another world premiere took place yesterday at the 2010 Leipzig Auto Show. The European-only model, BMW X5 xDrive40d was shown for the first time to media journalists. The facelifted BMW 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.
This superior power unit delivers its maximum torque of 600 Newton-meters/442 lb-ft between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm and reaches its peak output at 4,400 rpm. Extra power of this kind accelerates the BMW X5 xDrive40d to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and the higher level of efficiency is reflected by average fuel consumption of just 7.5 liters/100 kilometres (equal to 37.7 mpg imp) in the EU test cycle.
The engine is matted to the more powerful and fuel efficient 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The idea behind this new naming convention is to showcase a smaller, powerful, fuel efficient and low CO2 emission engine that would give the large 4-5 liter diesel engines from Mercedes and Audi, a run for their money.
One of the reasons why the new models diesel models are not yet available in the U.S. market, revolve around the U.S. emission standards compliance in all 50 states. If the strong diesel sales continue in the U.S., especially in the X models market (1 out of 3 X5s in December 2009 were diesels), then we certainly see case building for the North American diesel market.
[Photos: BimmerToday ]
