Performance Review: BMW X5 4.6is V8 - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW X5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW X5 4.6is V8 is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular BMW X5 has a 4619cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The X5 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the X5's All Wheel Drive, SUV combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2180 kgs (4806 lbs) this makes the BMW X5 4.6is V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW X5 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4619cc 32V V8 engine produces 342 bhp (255 kW) @ 5700 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 354 lb-ft (479.9 Nm) @ 3700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW X5 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado 7L V8 (181.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW X5.

The BMW X5 has a Power to weight ratio of 156.8 bhp per ton and 162.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 X5 competing with the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado 7L V8 (181.7 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25t Coupe (181.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW X5 generating around 162.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 Turbo (187.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Lotus Exige 240 R (187.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the BMW X5 4.6is V8 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This BMW X5 4.6is V8 is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the X5 and the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12

When talking about the performance of the BMW X5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.68 secs @ 93.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12 (14.62 secs), the 1998 Toyota Mark II 2.5 Tourer V (14.62 secs), and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (14.62 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the BMW X5 4.6is V8 has a maximum speed of 149mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 X5 equals the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 then how about the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph), the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (160 mph), or the 2009 Lotus Evora 3.5 V6 (160 mph).

Related Links:

2001 X5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison