Alongside the X5 Protection VR6 and i Next Hydrogen Concept, BMW‘s Frankfurt Motor Show stand also includes the most powerful X5 plug-in hybrid model to date, the X5 xDrive45e.

The PHEV combines a 286 PS (282 hp) 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six gasoline engine with a 83 kW (113 PS / 111 hp) electric motor of the latest BMW eDrive generation fed by a 24-kWh lithium-ion battery. The result is a system output of 290 kW (394 PS / 388 hp) and a maximum torque of 600 Nm (443 lb-ft).

These numbers are similar to the X5 M50d which produces 400 PS (394 hp) and 760 Nm (561 lb-ft) of torque from a quad-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six diesel. What the X5 xDrive45e lacks in torque it more than makes up for in guilt-free motoring since these days driving a diesel-powered vehicle is frowned upon in some places.

A plug-in hybrid, on the other hand, is much more fashionable and the X5 xDrive45e also offers the added benefit of zero-emissions driving thanks to an all-electric driving range of up to 87 km (54 miles).

Also read: BMW’s Fuel Cell X5 Previewed By i Next Hydrogen Featuring Tech Jointly Developed With Toyota

The EV range is three times longer than the previous-generation X5 xDrive40e and the top speed when driving on electric power alone is increased from 120 km/h (75 mph) to 135 km/h (84 mph). The new model also brings a significant reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 levels.

The combined fuel economy is rated as low as 1.2 l/100 km (196 mpg US / 235 mpg UK) on the WLTP cycle with corresponding CO2 emissions of 27 g/km — both figures made possible by the electric motor kicking in. Speaking of which, the combined power consumption of the new BMW X5 xDrive45e is as low as 23.1 kWh per km (WLTP).

As for performance specs, the plug-in hybrid X5 needs 5.6 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph), making it 1.2 seconds quicker than its predecessor, while the top speed is 235 km/h (146 mph). Just don’t expect to get the efficiency specs listed above and the top performance at the same time.

2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Is The Guilt-Free Alternative To The X5 M50d

Photo credits: Stefan Baldauf / Guido ten Brink for Carscoops