BMW X5 Conquers The Desert
Published: 24th January 2004
BMW X5
Two BMW X5 diesel models finished fourth and eighth in the world’s most rigorous off-road event – the 17 day Paris to Dakar rally raid that finished on Sunday, 18 January.
Luc Alphand, multiple men’s downhill skiing champion and Le Mans racer, not only finished fourth overall in his X5 but also took two outright stage victories on this year’s marathon.
Popular myth suggests that, while the X5 excels on the tarmac, it is incapable of off-road excursions. Since this year’s Paris – Dakar covered almost 7,000 miles (including 3,400 competitive stage miles) through sand and mud, over rock and dodging camel grass and palm trees, these privately-entered BMW X5s surprised quite a few pundits.
Perhaps its ‘hidden’ talents help explain why BMW X5 sales increased by 28 per cent in the UK last year.
BMW X5
Our BMW X5 Guide lists the full specification of the current UK X5 range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £40,605 - £54,620
Body Style:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 8
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 21st Sep 2008
