First Drive
FIRST DRIVE
BMW X5 xDrive40e What is it? The X5 xDrive40e is the first plug-in hybrid production car from BMW, and was launched in spring 2015 ahead of the recently‑announced PHEV versions of the 2 Series Active Tourer and the evergreen 3 Series executive saloon. The permanent all-wheel drive SUV combines elements of BMW’s EfficientDynamics eco-technology with a 180kW/245bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin‑turbo petrol engine and 83kW/113bhp synchronous electric motor. Combined system 2 output is 230kW/313bhp with 450Nm/332lb ft of torque, while the German car maker promises a maximum official 85.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 77-78g/km. The 96-cell, 9kWh lithium-ion battery is mounted in the luggage area of the X5 xDrive40e and provides energy for the eight‑speed Steptronic gearbox, into which the electric motor is situated, while a separate 12V battery powers the car’s
electrical system via an onboard voltage transformer. The X5 xDrive40e can be driven up to 75mph in all‑electric mode, while BMW quotes an official 19-mile range. The company says it is the average mileage that 88 per cent of X5 drivers travel. Top speed is a quoted 130mph.
The How does it drive? 5 Unlike its i3 and i8 BMW Xis the built‑from-the-ground-up e 0 4 e xDriv ny’s first EVs, the X5 xDrive40e is a standard X5 given compa roduction an electric makeover. p hybrid r, with Externally, it looks like ca any other X5, and it’s sions of a similar story inside. As s i m e CO with other versions of the /km 77-78g BMW SUV, the plush materials and clear displays point to a premium-priced car, and there are plenty of read-outs to inform the driver of what’s going on with the power sources. An i8-style ‘floating’ central touchscreen displays the navigation and setting options, as well as informing the driver of which driving mode is selected. A display ahead of the driver displays the level of
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X5 xDrive40e employs a 245bhp/180kW 1,997cc four‑cylinder petrol engine mated to a 113bhp/83kW electric motor
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recuperation charge, battery status as well as how much electricity is being used. An ‘eDrive’ button on the high centre console adjusts the car’s hybrid mode. When set to ‘Auto’, the xDrive40e’s engine is boosted by the 250Nm/184lb ft electric motor for higher speeds, the electric motor being employed up to 44mph. The ‘Max’ eDrive setting allows the car to run exclusively on all-electric power. A ‘Save Battery’ mode allows the battery’s charge state to be held or topped up by energy recuperation should its level be low and is ideal for those smaller city-based journeys where zero local emissions matter most. Regardless of which setting is chosen, all four wheels are permanently powered by BMW’s xDrive system. A ‘Driving Experience Control’ switch also activates three further vehicle set‑ups: ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and Eco Pro’. These further modes alter the throttle mapping, steering characteristics and gearbox responses. ‘Eco Pro’, as its name suggests, is the most economical setting, and optimises the most efficient use of the air conditioning system, seat heating function as well as the heated mirrors. Additionally, when overrunning between 0-100mph, a coasting function shuts off