It's certainly a sign of the times when engaging rear-wheel-drive specialists BMW create a front-wheel-drive 7-seater MPV, but it's even more alarming when the company that creates class-leading straight-six and V8 engines brings out a range of hybrids. We've seen a very out-there i3, but now BMW is hybridifying its regular range. There's a 330e, a 225xe and even a giant SUV xDrive40e.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRDSl5t_8W0
The 2.3-tonne family SUV is powered by a 245 bhp 350 Nm 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Add to this the electric side of things, and you get a total system output of 313 bhp and 450 Nm. Power is driven through all four wheels and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Nought to sixty-two is covered in 6.8s, and the X5 xDrive40e goes on to an electronically-limited top speed of 130 mph. This is a very rarely seen powertrain setup amongst its category, with the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid and Mercedes GLE 500e 4MATIC using 3.0-litre V6 engines. At least it's a plug-in hybrid, unlike the Lexus RX 450h (which uses a 3.5-litre V6).
I'm going to cut straight to the chase here and speak the truth. The xDrive40e will not work for the majority of customers. Although its combined fuel cycle manages to return up to 85.6 mpg, even BMW admits that you will receive a claimed 43.5 mpg on an average 37-mile commute. This figure drops to a dismal 25.7 mpg on long-distance trips. The xDrive40d is over 100 kg lighter, produces the same horsepower but an additional 180 Nm of torque, costs as near as makes no difference the same as the xDrive40e, and will achieve 47.1 mpg (real-world figures won't see this drop too much below 35 mpg in my experience).
As a result of the battery pack stored below the boot floor, the boot measures 500 litres, although can be expanded to 1,720 litres upon folding down the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats. Therefore the 3rd row of seating that's optional across the range doesn't quite make it to the hybrid, although the story's the same on the soon-to-come Audi Q7 e-tron. Talking about the batteries, they will provide up to 19 miles or EV range and take just under 4 hours to charge (this reduces to 2:45 with the purchase of the BMW i Wallbox Pure).
There are 3 different driving modes - AUTO eDrive, MAX eDrive and SAVE Battery. The former is self-explanatory, the second provides power by means of electric only, and the third by petrol only. The Driving Experience Control alters the throttle and transmission response, steering and Dynamic Damper Control. The choices here are COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO. ECO PRO cuts off the engine when the vehicle is coasting, and the standard-fit sat nav gives the option to plan journeys in such a way that you can get the most miles from your gallon.
Inside, very little has changed from the regular X5. Some key changes are the hybrid-specific instrument cluster and the iDrive options, like the energy flow diagram that you can use to keep tabs on your driving.
But if the car works for you and your driving tendencies, then the xDrive40e is a particularly enticing choice, especially when you realise it's free to tax. Some standard kit includes self-levelling rear air suspension with an automatic tailgate, xenon headlights, LED fog lights and heated front seats.
If I were in the market for a premium hybrid SUV such as the X5 xDrive40e, here's how I would specify mine (without ticking every single box and doubling the price):
No comments:
Post a Comment