In a clash that just ten years ago would have seemed impossible or just downright silly, we lined up BMW’s most powerful diesel SUV against the new Range Rover Sport, which uses an engine shared with the Jaguar F-Type to develop an incredible 375 kW (502hp).
BMW X5 M50d VS Range Rover Sport 0-100 km/h time
Both manufacturers claim their cars accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in the same time, so we honestly had no idea which car would win over the quarter mile drag race.
The BMW has launch control which would certainly help get it off the line, but could the massive torque of that diesel engine make up for the incredible power of the Range Rover? Let’s also not forget that the BMW X5 is a little smaller and therefore lighter than the Range Rover Sport.
What we did know is that one of these cars would not be needing a visit to a petrol station on the way home.
Specs: BMW X5 M50d vs Range Rover Sport SCV8
| BMW X5 M50d | RR Sport SCV8 | |
| Price | R1 113 148 | R1 365 023 |
| Engine | 3.0 I-6 triturbo diesel | 5.0 V8 supercharged |
| Power | 280 kW | 375 kW |
| Torque | 740 Nm | 625 Nm |
| 0-100km/h time | 5.3 seconds | 5.3 seconds |
| Top speed | 225 km/h limited | 250 km/h limited |
| Fuel consumption | 6.7 l/100 km | 13.8/100 km |
| Weight (curb) | 2125 kg | 2310 kg |
