BMW X5 xDrive40e (2016)

BMW TwinPower Turbo and BMW eDrive technologies mated to perfection

The 2.0-litre internal combustion engine fitted in the BMW X5 xDrive40e has already won the coveted title of "International Engine of the Year" three times and features a TwinScroll turbocharger, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and variable camshaft control on both the intake and exhaust sides (Double-VANOS). The most powerful fourcylinder petrol unit in the BMW Group's engine portfolio stands out for its eager power delivery, delightfully free-revving performance and highly refined running characteristics. It generates a maximum output of 180 kW/245 hp and 350 Newton metres (258 lb-ft) of peak torque.

The electric motor puts an output of 83 kW/113 hp on tap, while its maximum torque of 250 Newton metres (184 lb-ft) is available from the word go in typical electric drive fashion. This has the effect of boosting the engine's output for thrilling, instantaneous responsiveness and power build-up with absolutely no delay when accelerating from stationary, as well as far more dynamic performance whenever a quick burst of speed is required. The BMW X5 xDrive40e completes the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in just 6.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). In all-electric drive mode, meanwhile, the vehicle is capable of a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), again electronically limited.

BMW xDrive permanent all-wheel drive even in all-electric mode

The power stemming from the two drive units is transformed into effortless forward motion courtesy of the 8-speed Steptronic transmission and the BMW xDrive permanent all-wheel-drive system. The BMW X5 xDrive40e can be optionally equipped with shift paddles on the steering wheel, enabling the driver to swiftly make manual gear selections with the greatest of ease. Regardless of the proportion of drive power being sourced from the engine and motor respectively, xDrive ensures supreme traction in all weather and road surface conditions, together with optimised handling stability and increased agility when powering through corners. An electronically controlled multi-plate clutch provides the basis for fully variable distribution of the drive torque between the front and rear wheels. As it is linked up to the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), the xDrive system is furthermore capable of acting in advance to counter vehicle understeer or oversteer and to always direct drive power in such a way as to optimise the handling dynamics.

Driving Experience Control switch and eDrive button allow the vehicle set-up and powertrain control to be configured as desired

The eDrive button on the centre console lets the driver modify the powertrain control. When the vehicle is first started, the default AUTO eDrive setting is activated, with both engine and electric motor working highly efficiently in tandem. The electric motor alone is used for setting off with normal power requirements, while the engine cuts in at around 70 km/h (44 mph) or when the driver wishes to accelerate very sharply. In this mode, the intelligent operating strategy determines the most efficient drive combination at all times and switches to it automatically. The driver can also switch to the all-electric drive mode setting MAX eDrive, in which the vehicle is powered solely by the electric motor. This mode is designed for comfortable driving with zero local emissions without the engine being started, and offers a maximum range of 31 kilometres (approx. 19 miles) at a limited top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

The third mode that can be activated is the SAVE Battery setting, which allows the driver to save or build up the high-voltage battery's energy reserves for a later point in time. When driving on the motorway, for instance, the state of charge can be kept constant or even boosted in order to use the highvoltage battery's power for all-electric driving in urban areas later in the journey. In this way, the stored electrical energy can be selectively deployed exactly when required.

The BMW X5 xDrive40e also comes as standard with a Driving Experience Control switch, just like the conventionally powered model variants of the sports activity vehicle. This can be used to activate the vehicle set-up modes COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO, which each have the effect of altering the throttle mapping, the steering characteristics, the responses of the 8-speed Steptronic transmission, as well as the characteristics of the Dynamic Damper Control included as standard on the BMW X5 xDrive40e. The ECO PRO mode furthermore triggers efficiency-optimised control of electrically powered comfort functions, such as the air conditioning, seat heating and heated mirrors. Besides this, when travelling on the overrun at speeds between 0 and 160 km/h (0 - 100 mph), the coasting function shuts off the engine, allowing the vehicle to glide along without burning any fuel.

The modes selectable with the eDrive button and the Driving Experience Control switch can be combined with one another at will, allowing the powertrain control and vehicle set-up to be tailored precisely to the prevailing situation and the driver's personal preferences. In this way, comfort, sportiness and efficiency can each be combined with high-intensity hybrid driving as desired.

Instrument cluster and Control Display with hybrid-specific readouts

The BMW X5 xDrive40e comes as standard with a black-panel instrument cluster which has had hybrid-specific functions added to its array of readouts. The drive readiness display positioned in the lower part of the engine rev counter switches from "OFF" to "READY" when the start/stop button is pressed. The high-voltage battery's state of charge is visualised in the form of a battery symbol below the gear display. The Driving Experience Control switch setting is also indicated, as is the operating mode selected with the eDrive button. Depending on the selected drive mode, information on the vehicle's electric and total range, current fuel or electricity consumption, recuperation of electrical energy in the high-voltage battery and the progress of vehicle charging can likewise all be shown in the instrument cluster.

Model-specific menu options and readouts are also available in the iDrive operating system's Control Display. An energy flow display can be called up while on the move, illustrating in graphical form the interaction between combustion engine and electric motor as well as how energy is being fed to the high-voltage battery. Charging of the battery from the mains power supply can also be controlled from the iDrive menu. A timer function is available for this purpose, which can factor in a planned departure time as entered by the driver. In addition to this, preconditioning of both the interior and the battery can be programmed in the iDrive menu as well. Timer-controlled cooling or heating ensures a pleasant temperature inside the passenger compartment ready for the start of the journey, while the high-voltage battery can also be cooled so that it is in an optimum operating state at the time of departure. The electrically powered auxiliary heating and ventilation function is also part of the standard specification on the BMW X5 xDrive40e. It can either run on mains electricity during vehicle charging or be powered by the high-voltage battery if it has sufficient capacity.

BMW X5 xDrive40e: a classic sports activity vehicle offering unique hybrid performance

Exclusive, bespoke design touches on the model's exterior clearly identify the BMW X5 xDrive40e as a classic sports activity vehicle while also making its unique hybrid capabilities plain to see. The most noticeable feature is the charging connection for the high-voltage battery located in the left front wing. Blue light effects also appear here at the start of the charging process to indicate the flow of energy. The exhaust system on the BMW X5 xDrive40e has a twin-tailpipe design with trapezoidal tips. Besides the model badge at the front of the vehicle's flanks, the "eDrive" logo already familiar from the BMW i models graces the tailgate, the door sill strips with their blue background colour, as well as the centre console.

Apart from Dynamic Damper Control, the standard specification for the BMW X5 xDrive40e also includes self-levelling rear air suspension. The 2-zone automatic climate control that features as standard on all BMW X5 model variants is extended to include an auxiliary heating and ventilation system comprising an electric instantaneous water heater and an electric refrigerant compressor. In addition to this, all of the optional extras from the BMW X5 range are available, with the exception of the third row of seats, the Adaptive Suspension Package Dynamic, Active Steering, the Multifunctional Instrument Display, comfort seats in the rear and the ski/snowboard bag. The BMW X5 xDrive40e can equally be specified with the Design Pure Experience or Design Pure Excellence packages for the exterior and interior to emphasise either the sports activity vehicle's robust, versatile nature or its exclusive, luxurious character. The plug-in hybrid model can also be ordered with the M Sport package and the bespoke features offered by BMW Individual.

The Navigation system Professional is another standard feature in the BMW X5 xDrive40e. The cruise control system with braking function and the Driving Assistant, both likewise included as standard, can be complemented by the wealth of BMW ConnectedDrive options on offer, including Driving Assistant Plus featuring Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Collision Warning with braking function and Traffic Jam Assistant, BMW Head-Up Display, the BMW Night Vision system with pedestrian and animal recognition as well as Dynamic Light Spot, Lane Change Warning, Parking Assistant, rear view camera, Surround View and Speed Limit Info including No Passing Info display. All driver assistance systems are also available when driving in all-electric mode. The Adaptive LED Headlights, Comfort Access, as well as the full selection of 19- and 20-inch light-alloy wheels, are available to order for the BMW X5 xDrive40e. 18-inch light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design are fitted as standard.

Highly versatile charging options as well - thanks to pioneering products and services from BMW 360° ELECTRIC

The plug-in hybrid design of the BMW X5 xDrive40e provides the ideal basis for extensive use of the electric drive system for highly efficient mobility, even including urban driving with zero tailpipe emissions. Its high-voltage battery offers a gross energy capacity of 9.0 kilowatt hours (kWh) and can be topped up with energy from any domestic power socket, from a Wallbox that has been designed for higher currents as well as at public charging stations. The standard charging cable can be kept in a compartment underneath the luggage compartment floor.

When hooked up to a conventional domestic power socket the highvoltage battery can be fully recharged from flat in around 3 hours and 50 minutes. A tailor-made solution for safe, simple and extra-fast battery charging at home is available for the BMW X5 xDrive40e under the umbrella of BMW 360° ELECTRIC. The BMW i Wallbox Pure is capable of replenishing the high-voltage battery at a charging rate of 3.5 kW (16 A/230 V). As a result, it takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to fully recharge an empty battery pack. Charging progress can be checked on a graphic displayed in the vehicle's instrument cluster or on a smartphone using the BMW Remote app. The home charging station comes in a second version, the BMW i Wallbox Pro, offering added convenience features. It comes equipped with a 7-inch colour monitor, whose user-friendly touchscreen indicates how vehicle charging is progressing as well as allowing customised settings to be made for load management and self-produced electricity. The data displayed on the monitor includes the quantity of energy supplied and information on preceding charge cycles.

Under the umbrella of BMW 360° ELECTRIC customers are offered an allembracing service concept covering everything from the supply and installation of the charging station to maintenance, advice and other services. There is also the ChargeNow service, comprising a ChargeNow card that grants straightforward access to partner charging stations and can also be used for convenient billing of the monthly energy costs. The ParkNow Longterm mobility service simplifies the task of finding a parking space in urban centres and also helps with finding and booking a parking spot with access to charging facilities. Beyond this, the BMW 360° ELECTRIC portfolio also comprises maintenance, assistance and other customer services that have been specially tailored to this model.

Innovative new functions from BMW ConnectedDrive furthermore help to plan journeys in such a way that the vehicle drives on electric power alone as much as possible and at maximum efficiency at all times. The Navigation system Professional fitted in the BMW X5 xDrive40e as standard gives drivers the option of calculating a hybrid-specific ECO PRO route to an entered destination, which makes allowance for factors such as the traffic situation, the route profile and driving style. The intelligent energy management function in the BMW X5 xDrive40e utilises the available data on the route profile for all navigation-assisted journeys anyway, together with real-time traffic information. This forms the basis for anticipatory and efficiency-optimised powertrain control that keeps fuel consumption as low as possible while making intensive use of electric mobility, for example when nearing the journey's destination. On a longer journey that goes through both rural and built-up areas, for instance, Brake Energy Regeneration can be employed and the engine's load points deliberately raised at higher speeds to ensure there are sufficient power reserves for completing the urban sections in all-electric drive mode. What's more, the locations of public charging stations are added to the selection of points of interest on the navigation map whenever route guidance is activated.

The BMW Remote app also comes in a hybrid-specific version and lets the driver retrieve information on the high-voltage battery's state of charge even when they are away from the vehicle by using a smartphone. The app also displays the location of public charging stations. Efficiency evaluations for the last journey completed can be viewed on the smartphone as well, along with the total distance driven purely on electric power and the amount of fuel saved by using mains electricity. The auxiliary heating and ventilation functions of the BMW X5 xDrive40e can similarly be activated remotely with the help of the BMW Remote app.

Production at the BMW Spartanburg plant: centre of excellence for BMW X models and hybrid technology

The BMW X5 xDrive40e is being produced at the BMW Spartanburg plant in the US state of South Carolina. This is where all other model variants of the sports activity vehicle are also built together with the BMW X6, BMW X3 and BMW X4 models. It has been over 15 years since the first-generation BMW X5 went into production, during which time this US plant has evolved into the global centre of excellence for BMW X models.

The BMW X5 xDrive40e is assembled in parallel with both the other model variants of the BMW X5 and the BMW X6 on a shared production line. Special assembly steps have been added to the manufacturing process for integrating the hybrid-specific components. The high-voltage battery is manufactured in a newly constructed production hall on the site of the BMW Spartanburg plant. All production processes are subject to the same strict quality and safety standards that the BMW Group applies worldwide. The BMW Spartanburg plant furthermore stands out for its extremely resourceefficient system of energy supply. It was here that the intelligent Energy Data Management System (iEDMS) with continuous and comparative power consumption measurement was first implemented. Moreover, a large part of the energy required for vehicle production is obtained from methane gas with the help of highly efficient turbine generators.