2007 BMW X5

Back in 2000, BMW's South Carolina-built X5 Sports Activity Vehicle brought real driving thrills to a crossover-SUV segment that wasn't much more than glorified station wagons. Since then, a lot of newer crossovers have done fair simulations of the X5 driving experience, but none has duplicated the BMW perfectly (even BMW's own smaller X3 is a pale substitute). The big question for BMW is whether it can top itself with the second-generation X5 on sale in November.

Coming in 7.4 inches longer than the first-generation X5, this new one maintains similar proportions thanks to clever styling. The additional sheetmetal pays off in a larger interior that allows the fitment of an optional third row of seats. Since the X5's interior was already a premium environment, more of it is only better. And for those of you wondering if BMW's often-dreaded iDrive is aboard to control many functions, yup, it is, with the control knob placed just to the right of the new six-speed automatic's shift wand.

The new transmission is just the start of a thorough reinvention of the X5 unibody chassis. Most startling is a new double-wishbone front suspension that contrasts with the struts in the previous X5 and in virtually every other BMW for the last four decades. The rear suspension is a multilink independent system that would take a graduate engineer months to describe, leaving him dreaming weeks later. Naturally, all sorts of nanny technologies like traction control, stability control, and ABS four-wheel disc brakes are standard. Run-flat tires around 18-inch wheels are standard with 19s and 20s optional, and the lack of a spare makes packaging that third-row seat that much easier. BMW's active steering is an option.

Only two engines will be offered in the U.S. versions of the new X5. The smaller one is BMW's magnesium-block 3.0-liter DOHC straight-six rated at 260 horsepower. The bigger one is a 4.8-liter, DOHC all-aluminum V-8 producing a thick 350 horsepower. Neither should sip fuel like a hybrid, but diesel engines will be installed in X5s for international export. Here's hoping BMW sees fit to eventually sell the X5 with its outstanding turbodiesel engines in the U.S.

If nothing else, the new X5 is a great-looking follow-up to a gorgeous truck (okay, truck wannabe). With 275/40R20 front and massive 315/35R20 rear Michelins, the X5 4.8i with the Sport Package looks like an SUV that swallowed a Formula 1 car.

That's no bad thing.