First Look: 2016 BMW X5 xDrive 40e Plug-In Hybrid SUV

By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
March 15, 2015

BMW has released details and pictures of its first plug-in hybrid, de BMW X5 xDrive40e SAV. This abbreviation stands for Sports Activity Vehicle, a designation that was ‘invented’ by the Bavarian car manufacturer in 1999 on the occasion of the introduction of the first generation X5 (E35).

Now, the big model is the first to get a hybrid drive line, a combination of a 180 kW/245 hp strong 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine and a 83 kW/75 hp electric motor. The total system output is 230 kW/313 hp with 450 Nm/332 pound-feet of torque.

In the new model, BMW has combined permanent four-wheel drive and high performance qualities with EfficientDynamics eDrive technology to achieve a fuel consumption of only 3.4 l/100 km EU cycle (converted: 71.3 mpg) with a CO2-emission of 77 g/km. The electricity usages is 15.4 kWh over the same distance of 100 km (62 miles).

The latter is important for customers, because several European countries use the emission for tax incentives. For instance in my country, where you have to add 25 per cent of the new price of the car to your income each year, in case it is a lease car, or if it is registered as a business car. With income tax varying from 30 to 52 per cent that can cost you! In this case, owners of the X5 40e have to add 14 per cent. BMW transferred the know-how and experience advantage gained by the development of the plug-in hybrid i8. Therefore, you may expect that also in the X5 PHEV you can enjoy BMW’s driving dynamics, but than in the much larger and familiar frame of the X5.

eDrive button

The hybrid power train offers a smooth co-opeartion between the combustion engine and the electric motor. By means of the eDrive button on the center console, the driver can adjust the operating mode of the hybrid drive. In Auto mode, the system always choses eDrive for the optimal combinations and, if required, maximum power is available. Then, the electric motor makes a major contribution to the acceleration. Zero to 62 mph can be accomplished in 6.8 seconds. The top speed of the BMW X5 xDrive 40e is limited to 210 km/H, or 130 mph.

In Max eDrive, the X5 runs exclusively on electric power and when the battery is fully charged, the range is up to 31 km/19 miles with a maximum speed of 120 km/h, or 75 mph.

In SAVE Battery mode, only the internal combustion engine is working to ensure that the battery remains as full as possible and in the meantime allowing brake energy to be regenerated again by the electric motor. Regardless of the mode that has been chosen by the eDrive button, the xDrive system always ensures efficient all-wheel drive. The differential normally distributes the drive torque between the two axles, it sends 250 Nm mainly to the front axle during braking causing the car to brake harder and more stable, before the bake system comes into action. The advantage is that there is more recovered braking energy than with the rear-wheel drive hybrids. Using the well-known Driving Experience Control switch, the driver can choose from different driving modes - COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO.

Lithium-ion battery

The electric motor is integrated in the 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The power is stored in a 9 kWh lithium-ion high-voltage battery, which also maintains the voltage of the regular 12V battery (to power the electrical systems). The battery is placed under the cargo floor and does not use much space of the trunk. The volume is 500 liters/17.7 cubic feet (5.3 cu-ft less than in a regular X5) and can be ‘stretched’ to 1720 liters/60.7 cu-ft by folding down the rear seats.

Complete equipment.

The standard equipment of the BMW X5 xDrive40e includes among others navigation Professional and the a climate system that works on the abovementioned battery for remote healing and cooling of the interior. Also standard are Adaptive Suspension including rear air suspension and Dynamic Damper Control. There is a choice of three packages for the exterior and interior: Design Pure Experience, Pure Excellence and M Sport. All equipment features from BMW Individual are also available.

Specific systems and services from BMW ConnectedDrive are standard or available as an option. An intelligent energy management function, specifically for the X5 40e, can be used in conjunction with the navigation system. When route guidance is active, data on the route profile is factored into power train control along with real-time traffic information. When driving medium to long distances, the system can then ensure that it is possible to drive purely on electric power on urban sections by using brake energy regeneration and managing the high-voltage battery’s energy reserves in a targeted and efficient manner. BMW’s remote app for hybrids allows to check the state of charge, locate public charging stations or call up efficiency evaluations for the BMW X5 xDrive40e on a smart phone.

The X5 xDrive 40e will be introduced on the European market in the fall of this year. It is not known yet if and when the PHEV model will come to other markets.