BMW starts to populate its new iPerformance range of efficiency-oriented vehicles down under with the introduction of the X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid.
BMW has revealed its commitment to stay as in tune as it can to the growing environmental conscientiousness in the car buying and ownership experience in Australia by revealing its line of iPerformance vehicles.
The Munich automaker has chosen to get the ball rolling with the introduction of the X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid, which does take technology from the vehicles in BMW’s i brand such as the i3 and i8.
The new X5 xDrive40e SUV will be available to Australian buyers in May, but before long will be joined by the arrival of the BMW 330e which will also arrive in May. While local pricing for that 3-Series plug-in hybrid have yet to be revealed, the iPerformance’s X5 will start from $118,900.
The X5 xDrive40e aims to offer all the versatility and luxury of a regular X5, but with the much improved fuel economy and dramatically smaller operational environmental footprint than a fully diesel or petrol-powered SUV.
The new plug-in hybrid X5 achieves this through the pairing of a BMW TwinPower Turbo 2.0-litre four cylinder engine that generates 180kW and 350Nm (mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission) to a synchronous electric motor with 83kW and 250Nm that sends drive through the xDrive all-wheel drive system.
BMW says it creates a combined power output of 230kW and 450Nm of torque, allowing the X5 xDrive40e to dispatch 100km/h from standstill in just 6.8 seconds and a limited top speed of 210km/h while returning a claimed consumption figure of just 3.3-litres/100km and 77g/km of CO2.
For short commutes of up to 31km, the plug-in hybrid SUV can even travel entirely in electric mode, and at speeds of up to 120km/h. BMW has optimised its efficiency further through its ConnectedDrive tech, including intelligent energy management functions accessible through the infotainment screen, and hybrid-specific version of the BMW Remote app that shows real time battery status and public charging station locations.
Recharging the X5 xDrive40e is as simple as plugging the lead into a standard domestic power outlet, which can charge the SUV’s 9kWh lithium-ion battery pack in 5 hours, but through the purchase of the BMW i Wallbox Pure, that charge time can be sliced to just 2 hours.
