Photo: Catalin Garmacea
After making a first, shy appearance with all of its specs line-up online, the BMW X5 xDrive40e is now also making its world debut in the metal at Shanghai. The first car with a plug-in hybrid powertrain to be sold under BMW’s core brand, the SUV was a peculiar choice for some.
However, looking at it from close range reveals a car that, even though it has the appearance of a sport utility vehicle, feel light on its feet. That’s because the car was given the tools to be an able hybrid.
Up front lies a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine making 245 HP and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque while round the back, under the luggage compartment, we have a set of batteries. They’ve been positioned over there to counter the added weight towards the nose of the car and make sure the SUV has a ratio as close to the perfect 50:50 as possible.
The xDrive all-wheel drive system and the 8-speed Steptronic gearbox have been adjusted to be as efficient as possible but, at the same time, the box now encompasses an electric motor that’s good for 113 electric horses and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque.
Unfortunately, the two units can’t deliver the full amount of horsepower and torque at the same time. Therefore, the xDrive40e doesn’t have a grand total of 358 HP and 600 Nm of torque at its disposal. At most, it can use 313 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. That’s enough though.
With the two turned to maximum overdrive, the xDrive40e will reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph) that is electronically limited. On electric power alone, the SUV will do up to 75 mph (120 km/h) and will cover up to 19 miles (31 km) on one charge.
BMW wanted to explain the powertrain better and even put one out for display, to tell us all about it. Needless to say that seeing the differentials, engine, gearbox and battery pack all out in the open gathered a big crowd at the Bavarians’ stand.
The xDrive40e will go on sale towards the end of this year, with deliveries to begin early next year.
Up front lies a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine making 245 HP and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque while round the back, under the luggage compartment, we have a set of batteries. They’ve been positioned over there to counter the added weight towards the nose of the car and make sure the SUV has a ratio as close to the perfect 50:50 as possible.
The xDrive all-wheel drive system and the 8-speed Steptronic gearbox have been adjusted to be as efficient as possible but, at the same time, the box now encompasses an electric motor that’s good for 113 electric horses and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque.
Unfortunately, the two units can’t deliver the full amount of horsepower and torque at the same time. Therefore, the xDrive40e doesn’t have a grand total of 358 HP and 600 Nm of torque at its disposal. At most, it can use 313 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. That’s enough though.
With the two turned to maximum overdrive, the xDrive40e will reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph) that is electronically limited. On electric power alone, the SUV will do up to 75 mph (120 km/h) and will cover up to 19 miles (31 km) on one charge.
BMW wanted to explain the powertrain better and even put one out for display, to tell us all about it. Needless to say that seeing the differentials, engine, gearbox and battery pack all out in the open gathered a big crowd at the Bavarians’ stand.
The xDrive40e will go on sale towards the end of this year, with deliveries to begin early next year.
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