The previous-generation F15 BMW X5
xDrive40e was quite a successful car as far as local plug-in hybrid SUV sales
are concerned. To continue the X5’s appeal in this part of the world, BMW Group
Malaysia launched the G05 X5 xDrive45e the locally assembled SUV is priced at
RM 440,745.
What’s interesting now is the fact that
it’s powered by a larger B58 3.0 litre straight-six engine (the older F15 model
uses a 2.0L PHEV system) that’s augmented with an electric motor to produce a
combined system output of 394 PS and 600 Nm. This is currently the most potent
PHEV tune that BMW has to offer, and the powertrain is shared with the 740Le
(745Le in other markets) and new 545e xDrive.
Armed with a ZF eight-speed sport
automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive (with a rear differential
lock), the new X5 will get from zero to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. The top speed
is rated at 235 km/h, and the claimed combined fuel consumption figure of 9.2
litres per 100 km. A higher-capacity lithium-ion battery with 24 kWh is new
here, offering up to 77 km of range (up from 30 km) on a full charge. However,
this comes at the expense of a slightly smaller boot space. Where there regular
X5 gets 650 litres of space, the X5 xDrive45e gets just 500 litres (-150
litres) of boot space.
Charging is done via a Type 2 connection.
When plugged into a three-pin, 240-volt domestic socket, charging takes 10
hours and 30 minutes. This can be hastened with a 3.7 kWh BMW i Wallbox, which
takes just six hours and 50 minutes for a full charge. Just to quickly recap,
standard equipment includes adaptive LED headlamps, M Sport brakes with blue
calipers, 20-inch star-spoke Style 740 M alloys, BMW Live Cockpit Professional
infotainment system, as well as a 14-speaker, 464-watt Harman Kardon sound
system. Also on are all-around air suspension and BMW Driving Assistant package
(with AEB, but still no adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go).
Now, the very car you see in these photos
has been kitted with the full range of BMW genuine accessories, amounting to a
whopping RM 43k. The bulk of that cost comes from the 20-inch 748M Star Spoke
matte black wheels, which on its own costs a little over RM 26,000. Meanwhile,
the carbon-fibre trims on the front air inlet, front and rear winglets, rear
diffuser, side mirror caps, and side decals total up to RM 17,000.
Keep in mind that the
RM441k price tag includes a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, as well as a
five-year free service package and a two-year tyre warranty. Additionally, the
PHEV battery is covered with an eight-year/160,000 km warranty, which is a
welcome improvement over the previous six-year/100,000 km warranty offered on
the F15 model.
