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Top Five Fast Diesel 4x4s

By Stephen Turvil | November 19, 2012

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We are checking out five of the fastest, diesel 4x4s.

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We are checking out five of the fastest, diesel 4x4s. If you always wanted the practicalities of a 4x4 but with sporty looks, then here are some of your options. One is the BMW X6 XDrive M50d. Its 3.0-litre straight-six engine propels 381bhp through eight-speed automatic transmission which, in term, propels you to 62mph in 5.3 seconds and on to 155mph. Not bad for a four-wheel-drive that averages 36.7mpg. This vehicle is priced from £62,280 and it has rock-solid handling and a fashionable badge. Or, perhaps you will be suitably impressed, courtesy of the BMW X5 XDrive M50d. This costs £60,340 and has the same engine and top speed as its sibling. It is, however, 0.1 second slower to 62mph and averages a further 1.1mpg. Oh, and its look is traditional 4x4 whereas the X6 is coupé-like. That brings us to the Porsche Cayenne S Diesel. This 4.1-litre V8 engine sends 382bhp through its eight-speed auto transmission, hits 62mph in 5.7 seconds, is capable of 156mph, and averages 34mpg. Not bad for a fast 4x4 with a super-spacious 1,780-litre boot. All from £58,243. Alternatively, you could treat yourself to the Volkswagen Touareg Altitude 4.2 V8 TDI. This hits 62mph in 5.8 seconds – and continues to 150mph - courtesy of its 335bhp 4.1-litre V8 engine and eight-speed auto gearbox. It also averages a fair 31mpg and looks pleasingly subtle compared to its prestigious rivals. All from £59,995. Now back to BMW, the BMW X3 xDrive 35d M Sport, you see, rockets to 62mph in 5.8 seconds and is capable of 149mph. That makes it slower than some of its rivals, but its 3.0-litre 313bhp engine compensates by averaging a pleasing 46.3mpg. This is helped by the X3's fairly modest proportions. This nicely equipped fashion statement is also fairly cheap as it costs from £42,530. That is surely all the 4x4 news you take. We might, therefore, keep you interested with the following sentence. The Audi Q7 4.2 TDI Quattro S Line Plus, Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography, and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY all hit 62mph in less than 8 seconds. Oh... which will you choose?

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