Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the 2007 BMW X5.

BMW is set to release the brand new 2007 X5 luxury Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) onto the Australian market next month with three engine variants including a fuel-efficient 3.0-litre turbo-diesel model which is still over a year away from hitting the American market. The new X5 is larger than its predecessor but manages to balance increased size with stronger performance and better fuel economy. BMW is clearly excited about the new model, providing the media with a colossal 61-page press release kit, the summary of which is provided after the jump.

An array of new safety features and gadgets also find its way into BMW's top selling SAV, including Active Steering, AdaptiveDrive and a Head-Up Display.

Active Steering is a new, optional rack-and-pinion steering system which features a variable transmission ratio based on the steering angle. At speeds up to around 90 km/h, the transmission ratio is very direct, providing a sporty response requiring a minimum of driver arm movement. When parking, the steering wheel requires little more than two turns from left to right lock; and at high speeds, the steering becomes increasingly indirect to give precise, stable directional stability and superior motoring comfort.

AdaptiveDrive is a combined active anti-roll stability system with variable damper control which is designed to prevent body roll and dive in fast bends, or when avoiding an obstacle. Using special sensors, AdaptiveDrive continually measures lateral and longitudinal acceleration, road speed, the position of the steering wheel, and the ride height of the vehicle to improve comfort and agility.

The optional Head-Up Display provides instant readouts of road speed or navigation information that are displayed directly in the driver's line of vision on the windscreen.

But moving on to the good stuff, the X5 comes with either a aluminium-magnesium inline six cylinder petrol engine, a 4.8-litre V8 petrol engine, or a 3.0d turbo-diesel - all of which offer high power and torque output:

• The inline six puts out 200 kW / 268 hp and 315 Nm / 232 ft-lbs.
• The V8 offers up 261 kW / 350 hp and 475 Nm / 350 ft-lbs.
• And the oil burner packs 160 kW / 214 hp and 500 Nm / 369 ft-lbs.

The six-cylinder 3.0 litre diesel engine features third-generation common rail technology, a modern piezo injection system, a Euro-4 compliant particulate filter and a newly developed exhaust gas turbocharger with variable turbine geometry and electrical adjustment.

Of special note is the fact that the diesel X5 returns a miserly 8.7 L per 100km / 27 mpg which is pretty impressive for such a large vehicle. In comparison, the petrol inline six returns 11.7 L per 100 km / 20.1 mpg and the V8 starts to look thirsty at 12.5 L per 100 km / 18.8 mpg. That fact hasn't been lost on Australian consumers either with the diesel model accounting for a whopping 70 per cent of total X5 sales for 2006.

Analysis: The luxury SUV / SAV market has boomed in the last ten years and BMW led the way with the X5 and X3. Even despite increased competition of late, the X5 still accounted for almost 40 percent of the Australian luxury SUV / SAV market in 2006. BMW aren't planning to relinquish their market dominance in 2007 either with the new X5 looking like a very strong competitor indeed. You can expect the fuel-efficient diesel model to once again lead the assault.



Related:

• BMW moves up diesel plans to start with the X5
• eGMCarTech: BMW 5 Series diesel to reach U.S. by 2009
• Introducing Britain's greenest luxury car: the Jaguar XJ Diesel

[Source: BMW]

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the Volvo V70.

Volvo has announced the all-new, third generation Volvo V70 premium wagon, which is said to offer a "perfect balance of luxury, versatility and safety." With this model Volvo is looking to bring a new level of design and comfort to modern luxury wagons, and hopes to broaden the model's appeal beyond families with growing children to include active people that demand everything of their cars. In targeting the premium end of the market, Volvo has added a six-cylinder engine for the first time, an efficient 3.2-litre inline-6 which generates 175 kW / 235 hp. No mention is made of the fuel economy in the press release with the focus clearly on the V70's leading safety features that Volvo claims make the V70 to safest car in its segment.

Safety features on the V70 include highly efficient energy absorption thanks to its patented body structure and the latest generation of side airbags and whiplash protection. Usable storage space has also been increased to add flexibility to the vehicle.

Analysis: As Saab goes down the path of flex-fuel and ethanol vehicles, and Volkswagen pursues high fuel economy diesels, it seems that Volvo is continuing to focus on safety. I am surprised that Volvo didn't even mention fuel economy or emissions in its press release for the V70 at a time when Volvo trucks are leading the way in reducing emissions. I want to see more details on this model though before I pass judgement.



Full press release after the jump.

Related:

• Volvo Trucks create Environmental Product Declaration website
• Volvo Trucks to display parallel hybrid diesel-electric system at U.K. show
• Volvo C30 plug-in hybrid concept: high-res pictures and specs

[Source: Volvo]