BMW X5 4.8i M Sport

The weird science that is SUV genetics has another test-tube guinea pig in the form of the new BMW X5 4.8i M Sport.

The utility part of the SUV genetic tampering is taken care of by the new X5, while the sport part is handled by the 355bhp 4.8-litre V8 motor implanted under the bonnet, which has 5bhp more than the previous model.

All that power propels the X5 4.8i from nought to 62mph in 6.5 seconds and on to 150mph.

Just to make sure you know this is the M Sport version, BMW has grafted on a bodykit, 19-inch alloys and sports suspension.

There are sports seats inside, and the usual Anthracite headlining and M-badged steering wheel.
The £53,440 X5 4.8i M Sport is sold out until the end of the year, but BMW is set to offer a Sport trim for the rest of the range, which is handy because this trim accounted for 90 per cent of the previous-gen X5's sales.

Maybe this SUV science is on to something. We still eagerly await the first 4x4 with a human ear grafted onto the roof, though.