BMW Australia has announced the price and specification of the soon to arrive X5 Sports Activity Vehicle.

When it arrives on the Australian market in November of this year, the X5 will set new standards in 'all road' vehicles for both its dynamic performance and the standard of specification for its price.

Introduced with BMW's stunning 4.4 litre 210kW/440Nm V8 engine, the X5 will feature all of BMW's active driving aids, including ABS (Anti-Lock braking system), DSCIII (Dynamic Stability Control ), ASC-X (Automatic Stability Control), ADB-X (Automatic Differential Brake), HDC (Hill Descent Control) and CBC (Cornering Brake Control).

Priced at $108,000 (inclusive of GST), the X5 4.4 will create a new benchmark in on-road/off-road vehicles, not only in terms of its technology and dynamic capability but also in the level of safety and luxury it will offer its occupants. With 8 airbags including ITS side-head airbags, full leather upholstery, electrically adjusted front seats with driver memory settings, Multifunction steering wheel, 10 speaker Hi Fi system with multi CD stacker, Automatic Climate Control, PDC (Park Distance Control), self levelling suspension and on-board monitor with TV and on-board computer which is BMW Navigation ready, X5 occupants will travel in total comfort wherever the trail takes them.

The striking, purposeful and clearly BMW family styling is set off by standard 18 inch light alloy wheels, aluminium running boards, roof rails and front fog lights. All of which serve a dynamic and/or practical purpose as well as adding to the visual appeal of the car.

Fitted with BMW's five speed automatic transmission with steptronic control, the X5 4.4 is capable of despatching 0-100kmh in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 206Kmh. When combined with precise rack and pinion steering, the on-road capabilities of the X5 easily shades all other similar vehicles, providing a level of agility and manoeuvrability normally associated with traditional BMW sedans. When added to the X5's ability to tackle any type of road surface, from the most rudimentary of tracks, the new Sports Activity Vehicle is likely to present an almost irresistible proposition for many Australian motorists.

With strong forward orders for the X5 even before the announcement of the final specification and price, the likelihood of the X5 being a sell-out market hit, as has been the case in Europe and the USA, is certainly high.

Remarking on the strong interest the X5 has generated, even before its arrival in Australia, BMW Group Australia Managing Director Uwe Hartmann said,

"Almost like no other vehicles we have introduced, the X5 has created astounding interest. Existing BMW owners and many who see the X5 as the ideal introduction to the BMW family have flooded the BMW Dealer Network with interest.

With the introduction of the X5, BMW enters a new sector of the market completely appropriate for the acknowledged strengths of our marque and, if our experience internationally is anything to go by, we are sure Australian motorists will quickly recognise what an outstanding offering the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle is."

First dealer deliveries of BMW X5 are expected in mid-November of this year, with limited supplies for the remainder of 2000 and greater supply of vehicles expected in 2001.