IF you ever wanted to know just how far it is possible to go with a soft-road four-wheel drive, then we suggest you take a look at the BMW 4.8is. It is expensive, it packs the most powerful punch this side of a Porsche Cayenne Turbo - yet it’s not a turbo - and it has tremendous road grip to boot. It’s quite huge inside, is appointed in a totally luxurious way, with not many options left to tick on the order form, and manages a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. It is, really, the ultimate SUV. But you’d better be quick, or patient, because BMW only intends to bring in a trickle of these hedonistic beasts.
![](/assets/contents/ffb83a597f29a6759bc625d3585e39bed21a94b1.jpg)
BMW X5 4.6is
Released: February 02
Ended: October 03
Family Tree: X5BMW's E53 X5 - the Munich brand's first off-roader - was first launched in Australia (in 4.4-litre V8 form only) in November 2000. It was soon joined by a 3.0i petrol six, the 3.0d turbo-diesel and, in February 2002, by the range-topping 4.6is. Discontinued in October 2003, just prior to a midlife X5 facelift which brought new styling, the xDrive AWD system and the new 4.8is flagship (tested here), the 4.6is offered a 'mere' 255kW and 480Nm.
Facebook Twitter Instagram