What is it?
The X5 xDrive45e is the latest in a burgeoning number of plug-in hybrid BMW models.
Now on sale in the UK at a price of £65,760, the plush new petrol-electric SUV replaces the older X5 xDrive40e, bringing with it greater power, added performance and, most importantly where CO2 emissions and road tax busting premiums are concerned, an increased pure electric range.
At the heart of the new SUV is the same drivetrain as that used by the 745e. It combines BMW’s turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine developing 282bhp and 332lb ft of torque with a gearbox mounted electric motor that delivers 111bhp and 195lb ft.
Together, the two power sources offer a combined system output of 389bhp and 442lb ft of torque – all of which is channelled through a standard eight-speed torque converter equipped automatic gearbox and BMW’s widely used xDrive four-wheel drive system.
This represents a 77bhp and 100lb ft increase on the drivetrain used by the X5 xDrive40e, which relied on on a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor for propulsion.
Energy for the X5 xDrive45e’s electric motor is provided by a 24.0kWh lithium-ion battery mounted under the luggage compartment. It offers 14.8kWh more than the 9.2kWh lithium ion battery used by the X5 xDrive40e, and with it a much increased claimed electric range on the WLTP test cycle at between 42 and 54 miles. This contributes to a combined fuel consumption figure of between 148.7 and 235.4mpg on the WLTP cycle, with corresponding CO2 emissions of between 44 and 27g/km.
The catch comes in reduced luggage capacity. At 500 litres, there’s 145 litres less than more conventional combustion engine BMW X5 models. Happily, though, the capacity of the fuel tank remains at 69 litres.
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one massive con
The co2 and mpg is almost fraudulent,what will it be like just under petrol power as most will be , a recent study in Belgium showed most plugs are still in the wrapper unused,just a tax dodHence grants withdrawn ther eand Uk for hybrids.
All that size and only 500l
All that size and only 500l boot? Severely compromised as a 'family' car!
Good point
But then where else could put a battery with the power to drive a MK1 LEAF 120 miles. Unless you substantially modify these types of adapted PHEVs you're basically putting a huge heavy batttery in the boot and spare wheel compartment.
xxxx wrote:
Would you get that kind of range from a leaf1? I thought their range was 80-100 miles?
It is shocking that it is a battery big enough to be the sole power supply for a smaller car though.
I still think phevs or range extenders are a good idea and compromise in theory, a reasonably priced focus sized phev could be great but they only appear on huge SUVs, which I assume is because they're prohibitively expensive to down size and to enable these huge beasts to be tax efficient.
si73 wrote:
I think when new you'd expect 120 if driving your granny around, but my point is, what a 24kh battery is capable of.
There was the plug-in Prius but it was/is a pretty poor seller, not even sure if it's still available in the UK, think it was around £30K
Focus PHEV?
Imagine how much space the batteries would occupy in your little Focus ... it would be extremely compromised as a family car. The X5 on the other hand is a perfectly sensible family conveyance and certainly not a "huge beast", particularly when compared to the X7 and traditional full-size SUVs.
Rollocks]
[quote=si73 wrote
Agree the X5 etc have their place, I'm not a fan but appreciate many are, especially those who tow, traditionally you'd get a diesel but they're unpopular at the mo' a petrol would be too expensive to run so this could be a best of both worlds, electric motor torque for towing could be useful, the ability to be emissions free in cities and as a hybrid, better economy than the petrol if not as good as a diesel.
I still think they're huge beasts but that's because I'm not a fan, but a focus sized phev could work, as XXXX said Toyota had a Prius phev, they're just too expensive.
7 seat option?
Can you still get the two extra seats in the boot?Normally this option is no longer available with a PHEV but it would be useful if the review confirmed this. The Volvo XC90 T8 is rare in retaining 7 seats.