4.6is

Fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels, X5 series development project manager Albert Biermann says the new 4.8i laps the Nurburgring’s gruelling Nordschliffe circuit a whole 10 seconds faster than the previous 4.6is flagship.
http://www1.autotrader.com.au/mellor...2572AA000AADB8


4.8is
On to the new E70 chassis. Chassis rigidity has been improved, it’s 15% higher now at 27,000Nm per degree. As a reference to show you how good this is, the old BMW M3 E30 race car fully equipped with a roll cage has 22,500Nm per degree chassis rigidity, that’s less than the new E70 2007 BMW X5! Drag coefficient is also better, it is now 0.33cd compared with the old X5’s 0.35cd. Translating the numbers onto the track, the new BMW X5 4.8 does the Nurburgring North track in 9 minutes, that’s 10 seconds faster than the old X5 4.8 time. Despite being larger than the old X5, the weight stays about the same thanks to weight reduction methods like an aluminium engine hood, cast aluminium front strut tower, magnesium carrier for instrument panel, and intelligent use of high strength steel. As with all BMW’s, weight distribution between the front and rear axle is 50:50.
http://paultan.org/archives/2006/11/...ive-in-athens/

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