Following the launch of the BMW i3 and the soon-to-be-unveiled BMW i8 sports car, the Bavarian manufacturer has released another plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) concept based on the BMW X5 SUV.
While the BMW i3 and i8 use a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, BMW say the X5 eDrive concept is powered by a 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo technology engine and electric motor. The most likely candidate is the 2.0-litre unit found in the 3 Series (320i and 328i), which will be paired with a 70 kW electric motor that’s fed by a high-voltage lithium-ion battery.
The X5 eDrive concept can be recharged via any domestic power socket and has sufficient capacity to enable the car to travel up to 30 kilometres solely on electric power, generating zero local emissions in the process. Three driving modes are available: intelligent hybrid drive; pure electric mode; and safe battery mode.
The three modes offer a choice between ultra efficient, balanced and sporty driving styles, using either electric power, a combination of electric and combustion power, or relying solely on the combustion engine. When working in hybrid mode, BMW say the X5 eDrive concept has a claimed 0 – 100 km/h sprint in less than 7 seconds.
The X5 eDrive concept doesn’t boast the lightweight construction materials used in the BMW ‘i’ models, such as CFRP, carbon fibre and extensive use of aluminium, but BMW have given the concept some ‘i’ touches. These include the slats in the grille, a stripe along the lower air intake and an inlay in the rear bumper, which are all finished in the same blue colour as used on the ‘i’ models.
The BMW X5 eDrive Concept also comes with specially designed roof rails, a connector for the charging cable that lights up during charging, and 21-inch light-alloy wheels in an aerodynamically optimised design.
