BMW’s Frankfurt Motor Show stand includes the most
powerful X5 plug-in hybrid model to date, the X5 xDrive45e. The PHEV combines a 286 PS 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six gasoline engine with a 83 kW (113 PS) electric motor of the latest BMW eDrive generation fed by a 24-kWh
lithium-ion battery. The result is a system output of 290 kW (394 PS)
and a maximum torque of 600 Nm.
These numbers are similar to the X5 M50d which
produces 400 PS and 760 Nm of torque from a
quad-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six diesel. What the X5 xDrive45e lacks in
torque it more than makes up for in guilt-free motoring since these days
driving a diesel-powered vehicle is frowned upon in some places.
A plug-in hybrid is much more
fashionable and the X5 xDrive45e also offers the added benefit of zero-emissions
driving thanks to an all-electric driving range of up to 87 km.
The EV range is three times longer than the
previous-generation X5 xDrive40e and the top speed when driving on electric
power alone is increased from 120 km/h to 135 km/h. The new
model also brings a significant reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 levels.
The combined fuel economy is rated as low as 1.2
l/100 km (196 mpg US / 235 mpg UK) on the WLTP cycle with corresponding CO2
emissions of 27 g/km — both figures made possible by the electric motor kicking
in. Speaking of which, the combined power consumption of the new BMW X5
xDrive45e is as low as 23.1 kWh per km (WLTP).
As for performance specs, the plug-in hybrid X5
needs 5.6 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h, making it 1.2
seconds quicker than its predecessor, while the top speed is 235 km/h. Just don’t expect to get the efficiency specs listed above and the top
performance at the same time.
