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BMW X5 xDrive40e - The era of plug-in BMWs is underway

Leow Ju Len
17/03/2015

Meet the X5 that uses as little as 3.3L/100km of petrol. The era of plug-in hybrid BMWs starts today.

  • Plug-in version of the X5 consumes as little as 3.3L/100km
  • All-electric range of 31km possible
  • 0 to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds
  • Should qualify for $30,000 CEVS rebate
  • View our gallery of pics
  • Download a press kit below

SINGAPORE – Here it is, the X5 xDrive40e, the first fruit of BMW’s plans to install plug-in drive to all of its main models. It pairs a 2.0-litre turbo engine (a petrol one) with an electric motor to deliver a combined fuel consumption rating of 3.3 to 3.4 litres per 100km.

CO2 emissions are correspondingly low, at 77 to 78 grammes per kilometere. That’s clean enough to qualify it for a full $30,000 tax rebate under the new CEVS bandings that kick in this July.

Because it’s a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), the X5 xDrive40e is best used if you can find somewhere to charge it regularly – still an open question in Singapore – either through a BMW-supplied Wallbox charger, or in countries where it’s allowed, a regular wall outlet.

On a full charge, the BMW can actually cover 31km (about 60 percent of the typical Singapore car’s daily mileage) in the all-electic Max eDrive mode. Driven that way, it’ll even hit 120km/h, enough to cruise the ECP, overtake some dawdlers, and then some.

In the regular petrol-electric Auto eDrive setting, the X5 gets along on a system output of 331 horsepower. The electric motor can provide a 250Nm kick of torque instantly, which helps the X5 to 100km/h in just 6.8 seconds. That’s quick; remember, it’s a large, 2,230kg car with only a 2.0-litre engine.

The motor resides within the 8-speed auto’s housing, while the lithium-ion batteries live under the boot floor.

That means the X5 loses its seven seater abilities, but the rear seats can still be folded to form a flat cargo area, taking boot space from 500 to 1,720 litres.

Naturally there won’t be prices for Singapore until the car gets here, but the “xDrive40e” name gives a clue: it will probably be priced between the X5 xDrive35i (which lists for $355,800 with COE at the moment) and the XDrive50i ($474,800), before the $30,000 CEVS rebate.

MORE TO READ
BMW’s electrifying future – we reveal the plans to make every new BMW a plug-in
A plug-in BMW you can buy today: the stunning i8
Tested: a prototype plug-in 3 Series

Reps from BMW Asia say the plug-in X5 will be on sale in Singapore in “early 2006”. BMW is banking heavily on a future filled with PHEV tech. Engineers have told us that there will be an eDrive (that is, plug-in) version of every mainstream BMW model.

We’ve driven a prototype of a plug-in 3 Series, and BMW is expected to show off an all-new 7 Series with a plug-in option at September’s Frankfurt motor show.

Though BMW already has a plug-in hybrid on sale in the form of the i8, in some ways the brand will be playing catch up in the PHEV market here; Porsche has plug-in versions of the Cayenne and Panamera on sale in Singapore (although neither has found much sales success) and Mitsubishi intends to sell a PHEV version of its Outlander this year.

There’s still the question of charging station availability in Singapore, but regardless of that the X5 xDrive40e’s unveiling means the era of plug-in BMWs officially gets underway today. It would be a shame if our infrastructure were stuck in yesterday.

Download a press kit of the X5 xDrive40e here!

Check out a gallery of pics below.

Tags:

bmw edrive PHEV plug-in plugin X5 xdrive40e

About the Author

Leow Ju Len

CarBuyer Singapore's original originator, Ju-Len in person is exactly how he is on the written word and behind the wheel. Meaning that he darts all over the place and just when you thought he's lost the plot, you realise that it's just you not keeping up with his incredible rate of speed and thought.

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