Though the outgoing BMW X5 was first revealed at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show and did without many updates in the intervening years, UK sales in 2005 hit a record 10,808 units, following a continuous string of annual sales records; despite the ongoing launch of new rivals. When BMW pioneered what it calls the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment, could it possibly have predicted how successful this market and this vehicle could have been?

Nearly 600,000 vehicles later, BMW has the unenviable task of replacing the X5 and what you see here are the first photos of that car. At first glance, the new BMW X5 may not look too dissimilar to the current car, but click on the images and read on and you'll appreciate that this is an all-new car.

The new design conceals an increase in dimensions. Overall length is up by 190mm, with an expansion in girth of 60mm. Improved accommodation was the aim, as was the inclusion of a third row of seats for the first time in a BMW. In Britain, the third row will be an optional extra that folds flat into the boot floor; at the loss of 90 litres of luggage space compared with the five-seat version. However, unlike some seven-seaters, there is still space for bags with all seven seats in place, with a capacity of 200 litres.

Other firsts for the new BMW X5 (and the market segment according to BMW) are the option of the excellent Head-up Display we tested on the BMW M5, Run-flat tyres and BMW's Adaptive Drive system.

The latter should be of interest to keen drivers and should maintain the X5's undisputed crown as the best SUV (SAV, whatever...) to drive on the road. Adaptive Drive controls active hydraulic anti-roll bars and electronically adjusted dampers in an attempt to ensure that the X5 can be both comfortable on a cruise and stiff and body-roll free when being pushed through a series of corners. Interestingly, the X5 is limited to 130mph unless it is fitted with the 'Dynamic Package', which presumably includes Adaptive Drive.

At launch, there will be two petrol models, the X5 3.0si (powered by a 272bhp development of the relatively new lightweight straight-six) and a range-topping X5 4.8i, which packs a 355bhp V8 and can hit 62mph from rest in just 6.5 seconds. The biggest seller in the UK and Europe will certainly be the X5 3.0d, which houses a new development of BMW's excellent 3-litre, straight-six turbodiesel producing 231bhp and 384lb.ft of torque. It is nearly as quick in a straight line as the six-cylinder petrol model, but returns a claimed 32.5mpg on the Combined Cycle.

All engines are said to be more powerful than the unit they replace, yet also more fuel efficient and consequently emit less CO₂.

Despite the timing of the release of initial details, BMW will not be showing the new X5 at the Paris Motor Show next month, instead waiting until the LA Auto Show that has moved from its usual January spot to early December. We'll have more details and photographs then.

Shane O' Donoghue - 11 Aug 2006