X5

Make
BMW
Segment
SUV

It was never in doubt, and now BMW has officially revealed the X5 eDrive concept will enter production. The BMW X5 xDrive40e will be unveiled at the New York Auto Show next month, and will be the firm's first production plug-in hybrid that doesn't wear an "i" badge. The hybrid-powered X5 utilizes a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline unit, rated at 242 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, combined with an electric motor good for an additional 111 hp and 184 lb-ft.

With a total outout of 309 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, the XDrive40e can hit 62 mph in 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed electronically-limited to 130 mph. On electric power alone it boasts a 19-mile range and a top speed limited to 75 mph. The all-important average fuel consumption figures are an impressive 71.2 mpg. The electric motor is driven by a 9kWh lithium ion battery that takes 3 hours and 50 minutes to charge using a normal household outlet, and 2 hrs 45 mins with a BMW I Wallbox. With the battery mounted in the rear under the trunk, the plug-in hybrid X5 has 150 liters less boot space compared to existing third-gen X5 models, but the 500 liters BMW claims it gets with the rear seats in place is not too shabby.

BMW has retuned the X5's chassis for the hybrid model, which gets adaptive damping and self-levelling rear air suspension as standard, as well as 18-inch rims and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. The BMW X5 xDrive40e will be built at BMW's Spartanburg factory in South Carolina alongside other X5s as well as the X3, X4 and X6.

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