The refreshed BMW X5 Hybrid will hit the U.S. this summer. Sold under the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e, the new plug-in hybrid features the rumored MSRP of $ 65,400. The first product slots will be assigned to local dealers with soon deliveries.
The first X5 xDrive45e is a plug-in hybrid successor of the X5 xDrive40e. The original X5 xDrive40e was an important car for the Bavarians. It was the first plug-in hybrid SUV they offered and the first car to be sold under the iPerformance badge, a division that operates electric and PHEV cars.
With the new X5 xDrive45e, performance is growing as the name grows and a big change is under the hood.
New powertrain
The 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e uses the same drivetrain as the BMW 745e PHEV. This plug-in hybrid model works with a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and electric motor.
Also Read: Electric Car Charging at Home Cost: How Much Does it Cost to Charge an Electric Car
The new PHEV SUV produces a system output of 394 PS (388 hp), thanks to the electric motor still in between the thermal unit and the gearbox, good for 112 PS. The torque is also up to 442 lb-ft, which is much higher than the previous car’s 260 lb-ft.
Those figures allow the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e to reach 100 km / h (62 mph) in a mere 5.6 seconds, which is a full second faster than the car’s front.
The larger the battery, the greater the range
The electric motor works with a 24-kilowatt lithium-ion battery mounted under the luggage compartment. BMW states that only 20.9 kWh is usable, but according to the NEDC test cycle it is sufficient to claim 67 to 87 kilometers (41 to 54 miles) or 86 to 97 kilometers in the new WLTP test cycle. No EPA rating is available at this time.
However, this is a significant improvement from the old X5 PHEV, which is rated at 30 kilometers (20 miles).
Also, driving with electric power is fine, and the car can now reach 140 km / h (87 mph) in EV mode.
Total consumption of the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e is rated at 1.2-1.9 liters per 100km (123 mpg to 196 mpg). The corresponding CO2 emissions are between 44 and 27 g / km.
There is a downside compared to ICE X5 models: boot capacity is 500 (17.6 cubic feet) liters, and 145 liters (5.1 cubic feet) less. Furthermore, compared to the previous X5 PHEV, the tank capacity is now 85 (22.4 gallons) to 69 (18.2 gallons) liters.
There is also a penalty in weight due to the large battery pack, so the new X5 PHEV weighs 200kg more than the previous model (440 lbs).
