FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: BMW X5 eDrive
The full-size BMW luxury SUV that's more efficient than a Toyota PriusBMW has produced a hybrid X5 concept that drinks just 3.8L/100km, making the Bavarian brand’s biggest SUV more efficient than Toyota’s Prius hybrid hatchback (3.9L/100km).
What’s more, the petrol-electric Concept X5 eDrive show car matches the Prius’ CO2 output – which has long been touted by Toyota as a key advantage of its petrol-electric drive systems over turbo-diesel engines, despite the fact it sells more of them than any other brand in Australia.
With claimed CO2 emissions of “under 90g/km”, the X5 hybrid – based on the third-generation X5 to be presented to global media in the US from next week, before going on sale here by the end of this year -- could also undercut the much smaller and lighter Prius (89g/km) in terms of greenhouse gas output too.
Unlike the previous-generation X5 hybrid, which was a left-hand-drive-only model not sold in Australia, the new X5 eDrive is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a battery pack that can be manually recharged.
While the Concept X5 eDrive, which will make its world public debut at the Frankfurt motor show on September 10, is certain to reach showrooms, right-hand drive production – and therefore Australian availability – is yet to be confirmed.
The secret to the X5 PHEV’s efficiency is a twin-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 70kW electric motor, which is charged by a lithium-ion battery pack, making it similar in concept to BMW’s upcoming i3 and i8 plug-in hybrids.
BMW says the result is an electric-only driving range of up to 30km, at speeds of up to 120km/h, and 0-100km/h acceleration in less than seven seconds.
While the electric motor boosts the combustion engine’s performance, BMW says power from both drive sources can be directed to all four wheels as required, as in the standard X5.
Three system modes are included: zero-emissions electric mode; hybrid drive, offering power and efficiency; and Safe Battery mode, in which only engine power is employed, maintaining the battery’s charge levels.
Cosmetic differences from the standard X5include subtle “BMW i Blue” exterior highlights on the grille and rear bumper, improved aerodynamics including special 21-inch alloy wheels, specifically designed roof rails, a charging cable and plug-in point that lights up during charging and unique ‘Silverflake’ metallic paintwork.
There’s also a satellite-navigation system that can direct drivers to the nearest public EV recharge point, and a smartphone app that allows drivers to monitor the charging process in real time.
Described as the “logical next step towards landmark efficiency”, BMW’s most frugal SUV ever – and its first PHEV following the non-plug-in ActiveHybrid 3, 5 and 7 model – indicates the company will follow the same steps towards plug-in hybrid technology as Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Porsche.
BMW will also use this year’s Frankfurt show to showcase the standard MkIII X5 range, its all-new i3, the facelifted 5 Series line-up due here next month and, almost certainly, the new i8 super-coupe.
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