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The X5 eDrive will be BMW's first plug-in hybrid. It's quick and, should it be priced to compete with comparable diesel offerings, will represent an intriguing choice

What is it?

The new BMW X5 eDrive, and it's a very significant car. Not only will it be BMW’s first regular production model to boast plug-in hybrid technology when it goes on sale in the UK in 2015, but it will also act as a rolling blueprint for an extended range of upcoming petrol-electric-powered BMW models that you’ll be able to plug into mains power as a means of extending performance and economy, among them a secret new 3-series eDrive saloon recently spotted testing for the first time.  

Revealed in concept car guise at last year’s Frankfurt motor show, the X5 eDrive draws heavily on the knowhow amassed during the development of BMW’s recently introduced BMW i3 city car and forthcoming i8 sports car.

Although based around an existing series production model, its advanced driveline has been developed alongside those of the initial i brand models with which it shares crucial components, such as its power electronic control unit – the system that controls the interface between its combustion engine, electric motor, gearbox, battery and four-wheel drive system.

The X5 eDrive uses a specially adapted version of BMW’s existing N20 direct-injection petrol engine, as used across the German car maker’s model range in recent years. Mounted longitudinally well back in the commodious engine bay, the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit kicks out 241bhp and 258lb ft.

The combustion engine is mated with a disc-shaped electric motor mounted within the housing of the gearbox. Produced by long-time BMW partner, ZF – the same company responsible for the new SUV’s standard eight-speed automatic transmission – it delivers 94bhp and the same 184lb ft as the unit employed in the upcoming i8 sports car.

BMW isn’t giving all the secrets to the X5 eDrive away just yet, but it suggests the combined system output will be more than 270bhp and 332lb ft. By comparison, the existing X5 xDrive35i’s turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine delivers 302bhp and 295lb ft.

Energy for the electric motor is provided by a battery sited beneath the floor of the boot, which has been raised by 20mm over that of other X5 models to accommodate it. The lithium ion unit consists of cells supplied by SB LiMotive, a joint venture operated by Samsung and Bosch, and is claimed to possess a capacity of more than 9.0kWh. It can be charged either via a 400 volt wall box or standard 240 mains through a socket hidden beneath a flap within the front driver’s side fender panel.

What's it like?

Very good. The ability of the high-tech driveline to overcome the additional weight brought on by the electric motor and battery pack is evident from the outset.

Provided there is sufficient charge in the battery, the initial movement from standstill is achieved on the electric motor alone. However, it doesn’t take too much of a nudge on the throttle before the petrol engine chimes in to strengthen the initial acceleration. Together, they provide the X5 eDrive with thoroughly convincing step off and in-gear performance.

Despite weighing in the region of 2300kg, it accelerates with all the enthusiasm of the 2145kg X5 xDrive35i on a pegged throttle, as evidenced by a claimed 0-62mph time that BMW puts at "under 7.0sec". With drive channelled permanently to all four wheels via an electro-mechanical multi-plate clutch and an electronically controlled torque vectoring system, traction was never in doubt in the early prototype we drove.

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Drive at a steady pace and the X5 eDrive impresses with effortless qualities. Despite our limited time behind the wheel, there is little doubt that it will probably be a decent long-distance proposition, aided by subdued driveline noise and silken gearbox traits.    

An energy management system allows the driver to choose between three different driving modes: Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport. 

In Eco Pro mode the electric motor plays a largely passive role during hybrid running without the ability to boost performance, while a coasting function is activated when you back away from the throttle to decouple the combustion engine from the gearbox to reduce mechanical drag and extend momentum. In the default Comfort mode the electric motor is used to boost performance when required, with a recuperation function activated to recover kinetic energy on a trailing throttle. In Sport mode, both the electric motor and combustion engine are continuously engaged, while the action of the recuperation system is made more aggressive with added retardation for additional energy recovery.

A button on the centre console also allows you to switch to pure electric mode – but only for a limited distance. BMW claims a zero-emission range of up to 18 miles on a fully charged battery at speeds up to a limited 75mph. It doesn’t sound like much. However, internal BMW studies reveal up to 80 per cent of journeys undertaken by existing X5 owners are of less than 18 miles, suggesting it will be more than enough for the majority of prospective customers.

In electric mode, the X5 eDrive is terrifically smooth and compellingly swift. The silent qualities of the electric motor tend to amplify tyre roar, but overall refinement is excellent. Despite the relatively low levels of power and torque, the electric motor also propels the big BMW in creditable fashion, offering plenty of shove from a standstill and a highly flexible delivery at typical urban speeds.

Should I buy one?

Yes, if you're impressed by the high economy gains BMW puts forward for its new model, which include a combined cycle consumption figure of “more than 74.3mpg” and average CO2 emission output of “less than 90g/km”. However, expect real-world figures to be closer to 45.0mpg and 150g/km.  

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The addition of plug-in hybrid technology certainly extends the appeal of the new X5, giving it the capability to run in zero-emission mode for a limited distance. This will be a drawcard for prospective customers facing CO2-related road usage charges such as those in place in central London, or for buyers who simply like the idea of exploiting modern technology to achieve previously inconceivable levels of economy in a big SUV.

But there is more to the X5 eDrive than its ability to run on electric power alone. It is also efficient, quick, refined and even more intriguing to drive than conventional petrol and diesel versions of the new X5. Just how much it will set you back is not yet clear, although BMW suggests it will be priced close to the X5 xDrive40d, which starts at £50,555 in the UK.

BMW X5 eDrive prototype

Price TBA; 0-62mph under 7.0sec; Top speed 143mph (limited), or 75mph on electric power; Economy over 74.3mpg; CO2 under 90g/km; Kerb weight 2300kg (est); Engine 4 cyls in line, 1997cc, turbocharged, petrol, plus synchronous electric motor; Power petrol 241bhp at 5000rpm; Power electric 94bhp; Torque petrol 258lb ft at 1250rpm; Torque electric 184lb ft; Gearbox 8-spd automatic

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concinnity 20 February 2014

Shared ZF technology

So this is the same actual ZF transmission and technology as Landrover uses?
Motormouths 20 February 2014

The CO2 and MPG figures for

The CO2 and MPG figures for all plug-in hybrids are utter nonsense.