What's the news?
This is the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) production car from the 'core BMW' brand - it's the X5 xDrive40e, a big SUV with 313hp, but yet capable of 3.3 litres/100km (85.6mpg) consumption.
Exterior
There are a few signifiers on the outside that identify the xDrive40e, chief of which is the charging socket in the front-left wing. When the X5's battery is being replenished, blue lights illuminate at this port to make it feel all suitably space-age and techy. The PHEV X5 has twin tailpipes with trapezoidal tips and subtle 'eDrive' badging on the boot with 'xDrive40e' on its flanks. Wheels are 18-inch double spokes as standard, although 19- and 20-inch rims are available - as are M Sport specification, the full range of BMW Individual personalisation options, adaptive LED headlights and two further styling packs, Design Pure Experience and Design Pure Excellence, though bear in mind we're working off a Europe-wide press release here, so the Irish specifications have yet to be confirmed.
Interior
There are blue accents on the centre console and on the door sills inside, to keep the hybrid styling theme going, while the X5 xDrive40e is loaded with equipment. The dual-zone climate control system found on all X5s is upgraded here to include an electric instantaneous water heater and an electric refrigerant compressor, while BMW Professional navigation is standard fit. So too is cruise control with Driving Assistant, although Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Driving Assistant Plus is an option. Further options run to a Multifunctional Instrument Display, comfort seats in the rear, Head-Up Display, BMW Night Vision, Comfort Access and a host of electronic driver aids, plus more accoutrements. However, the xDrive40e can't be had as a seven-seater, unlike 'regular' X5s, because there's a lithium-ion battery for the electrical magubbins under the boot floor. The lack of a third row of chairs does mean the X5 xDrive40e has between 500- and 1,720 litres of cargo capacity though.
Mechanicals
The all-wheel drive X5 xDrive40e utilises a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with a synchronous electric motor integrated into its eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The petrol engine makes 245hp from 5,000- to 6,500rpm with 350Nm of torque between 1,250- and 4,800rpm, while the electric motor provides a fulsome 250Nm from zero rpm and an additional 113hp at 3,170rpm. All told, the drivetrain maximum figures are 313hp and 450Nm, allowing the X5 xDrive40e to hit 100km/h from rest in 6.8 seconds before running on to a limited top speed of 210km/h. It can do 31 kilometres on electric power alone, where its top speed is limited to 120km/h, while the system's eco figures (according to what wheels you've fitted to your PHEV X5) are 3.4- to 3.3 litres/100km (83.1- to 85.6mpg), 15.4- to 15.3kWh/100km battery consumption and CO2 emissions of either 78- or 77g/km.
The xDrive40e also comes with Dynamic Damper Control and self-levelling rear air suspension, although Adaptive Suspension Package Dynamic is optional, as is Active Steering. Like most BMWs, the X5 PHEV has a Driving Experience Control switch - with Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro modes - but there's another, bespoke button in there called the eDrive switch. There are three settings for that too, Auto, Max eDrive and Save. The first is the default setting that gives the driver the X5's maximum power output of the combined drivetrain. Max eDrive switches the X5 into pure electric mode, while Save either maintains or charges the lithium-ion battery via the petrol engine and brake recuperation.
Anything else?
Like the i-badged BMWs, the X5 xDrive40e will be backed up by a suite of hybrid-specific products and customer services provided through BMW ConnectedDrive and BMW 360o Electric. The European market launch of the PHEV X5 will be in autumn this year.