BMW X5 plug-in hybrid revealed

The BMW X5 xDrive40e has been revealed prior to its public debut at the New York motor show 2015, to be held in April. This is the new plug-in petrol-electric hybrid version of the Bavarian carmaker's full-blown luxury SUV.

The hybrid-powered X5 runs a longitudinally-mounted turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine. The four-cylinder unit has outputs of 242bhp and 35.7kgm of torque, and works in combination with an electric motor that's seated in the forward section of its standard eight-speed automatic gearbox and produces 111bhp and 25.4kgm of torque. Altogether, the X5 xDrive40e possesses a combined system output of 309bhp and 45.9kgm. This gives it 55bhp more but 11.2kgm less than the popular turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel X5 xDrive30d.

The X5 xDrive40e’s electric motor draws energy from a 9kW lithium ion battery consisting of 96 individual cells. The mounting of the battery at the rear reduces boot space by 150 litres over the existing petrol and diesel-powered third-generation X5 models. The recharging time is put at 2hr 48min on an optional 3.5kW wallbox that operates at 16 amperes and 230V. The new BMW offers three driving modes: Auto eDrive (in which the electric motor supplements the petrol engine for maximum performance), Max eDrive (exclusively electric power), and Save Battery (which maintains the state of charge of the battery, for later use).

BMW quotes a 0-100kh time of 6.8 seconds and a maximum speed that is limited to 211kph. By comparison, the X5 xDrive30d possesses figures of 6.8 seconds and 230kph, respectively. The electric range is put at 30.5km, at speeds limited to 121kph.

BMW says the X5's chassis has been re-tuned for the hybrid version. Among the standard equipment is adaptive damping and self-levelling rear air suspension. The driver can alter the chassis via a so-called Driving Experience Control function, which offers Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro modes.