The 2011 BMW X5 xDrive35i has been nominated as a potential 2011 Motor Trend Sport Utility Car of the Year. Calling the X5 one of the fastest, most sporting SUVs they have ever tested, heres what else they had to say in nominating the X5 as a potential winner:

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The BMW X5 is quite a brilliant machine, one of the fastest, most sporting SUVs weve ever tested.

Lets look at whats new. Under the hood sits BMWs new-for-last year, 3.0-liter twin scroll turbo inline-six. Like the twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six this engine replaces, the single-turbod mill produces 300 horsepower and 300 pound feet of … CONTINUED

Motortrend test drives the 2011 X5 xDrive35is with its new N55 motor, calling it an athletic, balanced, and finely tuned SUV, with a roomy passenger compartment and elegant interior to boot.

See inside for the the entire list of changes that will take place to most BMW models beginning in September 2010 when the 2011 model year begins for most models. This is a must read primer on ALL changes coming.

BMW has released an updated BMW Performance promo video, now also featuring the X6 and X5. The original clip featuring just the E90 3-series and E82 1-series portion of this video was released back in November 2008.

BMW has announced some product changes starting with September 2010 production. The changes apply to all BMW Models, including the 1, 3, M3, 5, 5GT, 7, X5, X6, and Z4 models. FULL list of changes INSIDE.

BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina recorded another milestone in their 15 year history as the 1 millionth BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle® rolled off the production line today at BMW Manufacturing Co. The Black Sapphire X5 xDrive 35i with Cinnamon Brown Nevada Leather interior is bound for a customer in China.

This is a significant achievement for the BMW Group’s only U.S. manufacturing facility at a time when the manufacturer is just months away from completing a $750 million expansion to prepare for production of the next generation BMW X3.

The BMW X5, which was originally launched in Spartanburg in 1999 as the first vehicle in the Sports Activity segment, has laid the cornerstone for BMW as the most successful premium vehicle manufacturer in the SAV/SUV segment … CONTINUED

Bimmerpost member SkipSauls provides a great review (and photos) of the 2011 535i against the new X5 and the N54 335i. His perspective from being a long term 335i owner should provides some nice insight for those of you coming from the E90/E92 335i or another N54 based car.

Follow Klaus Deuser as he pushes the boundaries in this BMW produced series featuring the BMW X5. On the road in Europe and America in the X5, he comes across exceptional people, amazing locations and remarkable challenges. A passion to travel born of pure driving pleasure. Follow along inside.

Richard Aucock provides some interesting details on how the new X5 has more X5M DNA than some might think. For example, systems such as the DTC profile and M-specific xDrive profile have been brought down from the touted X5M into the new standard X5.