{"id":534,"date":"2020-04-06T00:01:45","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T05:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/evglobe.com\/?p=534"},"modified":"2020-04-06T00:07:21","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T05:07:21","slug":"test-drive-2020-bmw-x5-xdrive45e-the-latest-hybrid-from-bavaria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/evglobe.com\/2020\/04\/06\/test-drive-2020-bmw-x5-xdrive45e-the-latest-hybrid-from-bavaria\/","title":{"rendered":"TEST DRIVE: 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e – The Latest Hybrid From Bavaria"},"content":{"rendered":"
Nearly a year after its introduction, the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid is now finally ready for its market launch. European customers will be the first to take ownership of the stylish and practical hybrid, while the US market will follow suit in 2020.<\/p>\n
The first X5 xDrive45e is the plug-in hybrid successor of the X5 xDrive40e<\/a>.\u00a0The original X5 xDrive40e was an important car for the Bavarians. It was the first plug-in hybrid SUV they ever offered and it was the first car to be sold under the iPerformance badge, the division which handles electric and PHEV cars.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n With the new X5 xDrive45e, performance is going up, as the name suggests and there\u2019s a big change happening under the hood.<\/p>\n The 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e uses the same drivetrain as the BMW 745e PHEV. This plug-in hybrid model is powered by a combination of a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and an electric motor. Together, the new PHEV SUV generates a system output of 394 PS (388 hp), also thanks to an electric motor still located between the thermal unit and the gearbox, good for 112 PS. Torque is also up to 442 lb-ft, significantly higher than the previous car\u2019s 260 lb-ft.<\/p>\n Those figures allow the X5 xDrive45e to reach 100 km\/h (62 mph) from standstill in just 5.6 seconds, a full second faster than the car\u2019s predecessor.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The electric motor is fueled<\/em> by a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery mounted under the luggage compartment. BMW says that only 20.9 kWh is usable, but that’s enough for a claimed \u00a067 to 87 kilometers (41 to 54 miles) in the new WLTP test cycle or some 86 to 97 kilometers, according to the NEDC test cycle. That’s a considerable improvement from the old X5 PHEV which was rated at some 30 kilometers (20 miles).<\/p>\n Furthermore, driving on electric power alone has also been fine-tuned, with the car now being able to reach a top speed of 140 km\/h (87 mph) in EV mode.<\/p>\n The overall consumption of the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e is rated at 1.2-1.9 liters per 100 km (123 mpg to 196 mpg). The corresponding CO2 emissions is between 44 and 27 g\/km.<\/p>\n There is one downside though compared to the ICE X5 models: The boot capacity is 500 (17.6 cubic feet) liters, 145 liters (5.1 cubic feet) less. Furthermore, compared to the previous X5 PHEV, the tank capacity is now 69 (18.2 gallons) liters from 85 (22.4 gallons).<\/p>\n There is a penalty in weight as well, due to the larger battery pack, so the new X5 PHEV is about 200 kilos heavier than the previous model (440 lbs).<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n You would be hard pressed to find many differences inside the cabin of the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e compared to the conventionally-powered models. You’re getting the same high-quality premium leather and trims, as well as the latest infotainment technology.<\/p>\n The first change you will notice is in the center console where there is an additional button, labeled: ELECTRIC. The second is the ADAPTIVE mode for the route guidance with intelligent anticipation.<\/p>\n And lastly, a HOLD CHARGE button allows the driver to preserve the battery charge.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Today’s route includes a mix of city and Autobahn driving, coupled with a stretch of scenic backroads around Munich. The starting point is the BMW Welt in the heart of Bavarian’s capital. This is where BMW has setup some charging stations so we can start our journey with a full charge.<\/p>\n Speaking of charging, with a regular 230V cable and outlet, the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e charges from 0 to 100p percent in 6.8 h at 3.7 kW. Or from 0-80 percent in around 5 hours.<\/p>\n The default driving mode is HYBRID which allows the car to select the electric motor, conventional engine or both. You can, of course, set the ELECTRIC mode as default.<\/p>\n The navigation system calculates the arrival and travel time (2 hours to destination) with a predicted range of 62.8 km.\u00a0 Being within city limits, I manually switch to ELECTRIC and with that comes complete silence in the cabin. The electric motor is extremely smooth with adequate power to move around Munich. It’s even more useful in Stop-and-Go traffic since you can test the regen braking system.<\/p>\n As soon as we enter the Autobahn, the eDrive\/HYBRID mode is engaged. The transition between the different driving mode is effortless and extremely smooth, and you often find yourself wondering what mode you’re in.<\/p>\nAn Upgraded Drivetrain<\/h3>\n
Larger Battery, More Range<\/h3>\n
Onboard The New PHEV<\/h3>\n
How Does It Drive?<\/h3>\n