BMW plugs in with the X5 xDrive40e

BMW Malaysia has doubled the plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) offerings in the Malaysian market with the launch of its X5 xDrive 40e and the locally-assembled SUV is priced at s remarkable RM388,000 (OTR w/insurance) courtesy of the tax incentives granted by its EEV status.

Fresh on the heels of the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine launch in CKD trim, the X5 xDrive40e has positioned itself as the chief thorn in the Swede’s side by undercutting it by a margin of around RM15,000.

Similarly to the XC90 T8 as well, the Bimmer’s powertrain comprises a turbocharged petrol 2.0-litre four banger mated with an electric motor. Unlike the Volvo however, the X5’s electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and eight-speed automatic transmission so all four wheels will be driven mechanically via the xDrive system whereas the Volvo uses the electric motor to drive the rear wheels which are not linked mechanically to the front.

Power figures from the engine; distinguished by a blue eDrive strip on the cover, comes in a 242bhp and 350Nm of torque while the electric motor contributes 111bhp and 250Nm of torque from zero RPM for a combined output of 313bhp and 450Nm of torque.

Some of the performance figures that should tickle your fancy include a century sprint time of 6.8-seconds and a rated fuel consumption figure of 30.3km/l. Furthermore, it can hit 120km/h on pure electric propulsion and has a range of approximately 30km.

One of the notable omissions from the hybrid variant of the X5 are the third row seats which its petrol and diesel variants are equipped with. The reason is the 9.0kWh battery pack housed below the luggage compartment and eats up into the third row legroom. Nonetheless, cargo capacity with the second row seats up remains at a respectable 500 litres.

Charging time for the battery pack is three hours and 50 minutes with a conventional household powerpoint but that drops to two hours and 45 minutes with a BMW I Wallbox charging system that costs an additional RM6,000 on top of installation costs.

A total of three driving modes are available; Auto eDrive, MAX eDrive and Save Battery. The first one balances the engine and motor with the former picking up once the latter gets the over two tonne SUV rolling from a standstill or lower speeds.

The second one runs on pure electric and the range is dependent on the charge left in the battery pack while the last one; as the name suggests, emphasises usage of the engine to maintain or increase the battery’s charge.

To distinguish itself from it petrol and diesel variants, the X5 xDrive40e gets the M Sport package that comprises the M Sport aerodynamic package, 19-inch M Sport alloy wheels, Adaptive M suspension with self-levelling rear air suspension and M Sport steering with compulsory badging in the cabin. Another giveaway on the outside is the flap cover on the front left fender that houses the charging port.

The standard kit count is impressive as well with adaptive LED headlights, front sports seats, quad-zone climate control, a 10.25-inch screen, Harmon Kardon 16-speaker sound system and 10.2-inch rear seat monitors.

Safety equipment consists of six airbags, Hill Start Assist, Lane Departure Warning, City and Pedestrian Collision Warning and Surround View. Also packaged together are BMW ConnectedDrive Services, TeleServices, Concierge Services and eDrive Services.

BMW Malaysia also announced its new ChargeNow service that will be offered to X5 xDrive40e customers that comes with a ChargeNow card for direct access to ChargeEV stations nationwide and is a product of its partnership with GreenTech Malaysia.

Dinesh Appavu