Electrified drive in the new BMW X5
BMW adds a plug-hybrid to its range of X5 sporty activity vehicles in the form of an xDrive45e.
Incorporating BMW’s latest eDrive technology, the new X5 xDrive45e will get its propulsion from both an internal combustion petrol engine and an electric motor. The new plug-in hybrid will allow for the driver to engage in full-electric driving for a range in between 86km and 97km according to the NEDC test cycle which is almost triple the distance its predecessor was able to achieve. The electric motor is capable of producing 83 kW with a lithium-ion battery capacity of 24.0 kWh.
The primary propulsion comes in the form of a 3.0-litre, in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine featuring the latest TwinPower Turbo Technology from BMW contributing 210 kW to the total 290 kW the X5 xDrive45e produce. The 600 N.m machine sends it power through the 8-speed Steptronic transmission to the all-wheel xDrive system allowing the X5 to achieve 100 km/h from a stationary position in just 5.6 seconds.
With the addition of the batteries, the luggage compartment volume decreased by 150-litre to become 500-litre with all the seats up, however with the rear folded seats down, 1 720-litre become available. The xDrive45e places emphasis on being more efficient and have less of a negative effect on the environment, with the manufactured claimed 2.0 to 1.7 litres per 100 kilometres all while having the capability of achieving a top speed of 235 km/h. The total carbon footprint on the BMW X5 xDrive45e has also reduced by 40 per cent and if the car is charged with clean energy, achieves a 70 per cent reduction in its carbon footprint in comparison to its xDrive40i sibling. The BMW X5 xDrive45e will be available in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2019.
