New BMW X5 revealed

Few of the new bits have found their way to the outside, with changes limited to revised bumpers, aluminium-look scuff plates and tweaked headlights. However, the changes under the skin should help the BMW X5 fend off competition from the Mercedes ML and recently revised Range Rover Sport.

The complete engine range has been revised and is now entirely turbocharged. The entry-level xDrive30d diesel is now more powerful – its 245bhp now results in a 0-62mph time of just 7.6 seconds – and more efficient with an average fuel consumption of 37.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 195g/km.

Meanwhile the outgoing, twin-turbo xDrive35d diesel has been replaced by the xDrive40d which is 10 per cent more efficient yet 20bhp more powerful.

The revised range is topped off by the petrol-powered, 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 xDrive50i. Despite being a detuned version the X5M’s powerplant, the xDrive50i can still sprint from 0-62mph is just 5.5 seconds and is electronically limited to 155mph. Don’t expect fuel economy to be quite as saintly as the diesels’, however.

All models now come with leather upholstery, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and xenon headlights as standard.

Prices start from £43,980 for the xDrive30d SE and rise to £58,175 for the top-of-the range xDrive50i M Sport.

By Owen Ready

Watch the X5's rival, the Range Rover Sport in action: