ALAG

“Despite being heavy and tall, the X5

lance

a

oa

drives much like

@ performance sedan on pavement. It makes a few sac-

riftces in its off-road capability to achieve this, but
overall, the X5 is an extremely versatile machine.”

NORMALLY, I would-
n’t look forward to tak-
ing a new sport-utility
vehicle out onto the
nearest twisty mountain
road for a test-drive.

With a high centre of gravi-
ty, a hefty curb weight, and
often, a solid rear axle, a typi
cal sport utility vehicle
designed for sports-car-like dri-
ving — nor is it meant to be.

But then there is the new
BMW X5 4.41 —- a different
kind of SUV with vehicl
dynamics that seem to defy the

laws of physics.

Despite being heavy (2,175
ke/4,795 ib.) and tali (1,707
mm/67.2 in.), the X5 drives
much like a performance sedan

Reset your biological cloc

on April ist.

BURRARD ACURA

2222 Gurrard St. Vancouver

THE new X5 4.4] is BMW's

rst SUV, or as BMW calls it, a Sports Activity Vehicle. it features a fully
independent suspension, all-wheel-drive, a 282-horsepower 4.4tlitre V& 2ngine, five-speed
“Steptranic” automatic transmission, 18-inch tires and alloy wheels, and an optional Navigation

system. Base price is $68,800. Test drive the X5 at Park Shore Motors, 1500 Fell Ave., N. Vancouver.

on pavement. It makes a few

ces in its off-road capabil-
ity to achieve this, but overall,
the X5 is an extremely versatile
machine.

To be an SUV, or not to be
an SUV

According to BMW’s X5
product manager, Joachim H.
Blickhacuser, the new X5 is
not really an SUV.

“It’s not a Sport Utility
Vehicle, it’s not a truck, it’s
not a mini-van, and it’s also
not a sedan,” he says. “We ca
it dhe SAV, sports-activi

cle.” Blickhaeuser claims the
X5 defines an entirely new
genre of automobile.

BMW’s reluctance to
define the X5 along traditional
lines may stem from the fact
that BMW execs once said
they would never build an
SUV. But along with previous
hold-outs Mercedes-Benz,
Cadiilac, Buick, and even
Porsche, BMW has succumbed
to the SUV craze — motivated
in part by the fact that rivals
Lexus and Mercedes-Benz are
winning the sales race because
of the popularity of their

SUV's.

Whatever the X5 is, it’s
likely competitors will be other
high-end SUV's, such as the
Mercedes-Benz ML430, Jeep
Grand Cherokee Limited,
Ford Expedition, Liacoin
Navigator, Range Rover,
Lexus LX470, and the new
Tovota Sequoia.

Aggressive styling

The X5°s emphasis on per-
formance starts with its szyling
which is aggressive without
being overdone (at least in my
opinion). The X5°s wide

stance, wide tires, and short
front and rear overhangs give
it the appearance of balance,
stability and capability. Unlike
a fot of other SUV's, the X5
doesn’t look heavy or
unwieldy.

Add to this, aggressive
styling elements such as its
covered gas-discharge head-
lamps, front bumper design
with built-in projector beains,
twin air inlets in the hood,
extended fender flares, rear
spoiler, twin dual-pipe

See Performance page 36

ACURA

Designed with purpose.
__._._Diiven by passion.