The BMW i8 may have stolen the show at the Bavarian carmaker’s Frankfurt stand, but there was another plug-in hybrid on display as well. Based on the all-new X5 SAV, the Concept X5 eDrive combines BMW‘s eDrive technology with the xDrive AWD system for the first time.
The study’s eDrive system consists of a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder combustion engine (BMW doesn’t say whether it’s a petrol or a diesel unit) and an electric motor developed by BMW Group producing 70 kW (95PS/94hp).
The latter takes its energy from a high-voltage lithium-ion battery which offers a purely electric driving range of up to 30 km (19 miles) at speeds of up to 120 km/h (75mph). The battery, which is located underneath the car’s boot, can be charged from any domestic power socket, a Wallbox designed to offer stronger currents or a public charging station.
Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is estimated at 3.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometres (74.3 mpg UK / 61.9 mpg US), while CO2 emissions are rated at 90 g/km. The Concept X5 eDrive offers a choice of three driving modes: the intelligent hybrid drive option that combines sportiness with efficiency, pure electric driving, and Save Battery mode that maintains the current battery charge.
Performance-wise, BMW says the plug-in hybrid study can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in under 7 seconds.
Styling tweaks include blue accents on the kidney grille slats, air intake bars and the inlay in the rear bumper, and also unique elements like the roof rails, 21-inch light-alloy wheels and a connector for the charging cable that lights up during charging.
By Dan Mihalascu
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