BMW X5 eDrive – official ‘spyshots’ from media event

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The new BMW X5 eDrive is starkly different from the original BMW hybrid SUV – the BMW ActiveHybrid X6. While that one paired a 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 to two electric motors, the X5 eDrive has something a lot more modest in terms of power under its hood.

This set of photos were released from an international media event where BMW invited press from certain countries to try out a prototype X5 eDrive. No, we weren’t there, but what we can do is show you these photos of the prototype. Like the Concept X5 eDrive that was shown at Frankfurt 2013, this near production prototype features a 240 hp, 350 Nm 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo engine paired with an electric motor.

The electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and the ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, in place of where the torque converter normally would be. The 94 hp, 250 Nm electric motor also functions as the engine starter (with auto start/stop support) and the alternator. Powering the motor is a 9 kWh lithium ion battery pack. Acceleration to 100km/h is supposed to take about seven seconds, thanks to a combined output of 302 horsepower.

From the gallery released by BMW we can see that the eDrive system has a few modes. The iDrive display screen caps show you can choose between at least the following modes – MAX eDRIVE and AUTO eDRIVE. We assume that MAX eDRIVE will keep the car on battery power for as long as technically possible, while AUTO eDRIVE will juggle between operation modes appropriately.

The 9 kWh battery will allow up to 30 km of pure electric range. The battery can be recharged via brake energy regeneration, or via a plug-in socket at the base of the A-pillar. BMW targets an average combined fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100 km with the production car.

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BMW also showcased its next generation four cylinder 2.0 litre turbo engine at the event. This engine (codename B48) is from its new engine family, the first of which has debuted in the form of the 1.5 litre three-cylinder (B38) in the MINI Cooper and the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer. BMW announced that the new 2.0 litre engine will go to production in the first half of this year.

Check out our previous story to read about this new engine family in detail, which consists of petrol and diesel engines in three sizes – 1.5 litre three cylinder, 2.0 litre four cylinder and 3.0 litre six cylinder.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • sudonano on Feb 24, 2014 at 5:44 pm

    Wondering now, so once the new B48 goes into production, what would happen to the older N20 engine, and I’d guess that all the models with the N20 would then get the B48 in an LCI or full model change?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • policeman on Feb 24, 2014 at 5:55 pm

    Is anybody else tired of looking at all these boring looking BMW? Every car of theirs looks almost the same.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • Totally agree. BMW is getting comfortable and complacent, whereas it is Merc that has been bucking up in their design department.

      Come on BMW, do something before ppl get tired of your cars. Maybe re-hire Chris Bangle to spice up a bit lol…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
      • That’s because every Merc was being designed by the same guy that was reponsible for designing Westminster abbey and the big ben…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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