BMW plug-in joins rivals

The xDrive40e has a combined fuel consumption figure of 3.3 litres for 100km. Picture / Supplied

The XDrive40E is the latest to follow in the wheeltracks of the Mitsubishi Outlander

BMW has formally revealed its X5 xDrive40e, the Bavarian company's first plug-in hybrid model from its "core brand" - those not part of its "i" family.

It joins a growing movement in PHEV technology from luxury brands, with rivals to include the diesel-electric Audi Q7 e-tron and forthcoming Mercedes-Benz GLE (formerly the ML-Class) PHEV.

They all follow in the wheeltracks of the more affordable Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

The xDrive40e is in essence the production version of the BMW X5 eDrive concept. It features all-wheel drive, along with a drivetrain consisting of a four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a synchronous electric motor with a total system output of 230kW.

It achieves a combined fuel consumption figure of 3.3 litres for 100km and combined electricity consumption of 15.3kWh over the same distance. CO2 emissions come in at 77 grams a kilometre.

The energy for the electric motor integrated in the eight-speed Steptronic transmission is drawn from a lithium-ion battery, which also supplies power to the low-voltage battery for the 12-volt electrical system through a voltage transformer. When the high-voltage battery is fully charged the vehicle has a range of 31km in all-electric drive with a maximum speed of 120 km/h.
-CarAdvice