BMW has mostly been preparing its i brand of sustainable vehicles for market, but it doesn’t mean the German auto brand isn’t looking to still tinker with concept designs in the same arena. The latest of these is geared towards its X5 luxury SUV, and takes the form of a plug-in hybrid concept that will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September.
The BMW Concept X5 eDrive, as the company calls it, is typical of a plug-in hybrid in that it can run either in combined gas/electric or electric mode only. It is said to hit speeds up to up to 120 km/h (75 mph), offer a maximum range of 30 kilometres (19 miles) on electric power alone and have average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres (74.3 mpg imp).
image via BMW
The concept study’s BMW eDrive system consists of a four-cylinder combustion engine, said BMW, “with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric motor which is also the work of the BMW Group. The 70 kW/95 hp motor sources its energy from a high-voltage lithium-ion battery. It can be charged from any domestic power socket.” There is a choice of three driving modes, which include “the intelligent hybrid drive option for an optimum balance between sportiness and efficiency; pure electric and therefore emission-free driving; or Save Battery mode to maintain the current battery charge.”
This BMW, like others, makes use as well of the ConnectedDrive system for its infotainment needs. Since this is a plug-in hybrid, though, there’s also relevant information such as a “dynamic range display [that] uses intelligent connectivity to keep a constant eye on all the factors affecting range, such as traffic conditions, route profile and driving style.” Route guidance offers up information on public charging stations nearby, and one can have the vehicle tell him or her how much charging time is required to fully top up the battery once again.
There’s no word on if this vehicle will actually become an option for the X5, or if instead we might soon see a i branded SUV.
