BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid revealed with more POWER and bigger RANGE

The new BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformance plug-in hybrid arrives to boost BMW’s new X5 range, with more power and more range than the previous generation X5 plug-in.

BMW only revealed the new X5 three months ago, and it’s not due to get a public reveal until the Paris Motor Show at the start of October.

When BMW revealed the new X5 they said it would only be available as an xDrive30d, and xDrive40i or M50d, but now you can add to that list this X5 – the BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid – although don’t expect to be able to order it yet.

Effectively the replacement for the previous generation xDrive40e, the new X5 xDrive45e looks to be a very promising offering from BMW, perfectly judging performance and range to suit a market still unsure about electric cars, but quite liking the idea of EV power on short trips. As well as to boost performance.

BMW has upped the power in the xDrive45e with an in-line six developing 282bhp combined with 110bhp of electric oomph (and torque) for a combined 389bhp – 80bhp more than the old xDrive40e.

That is appealing in itself, but BMW has done something properly sensible with the new X5 plug-in and given it enough battery to do most daily commutes in one hit, promising a 50 mile EV range and up to 87mph on electric power.

In the real world that may be closer to 30-35 miles, but that makes is properly useful for sitting in traffic and commuting, or running errands. And it’s a big improvement on the xDrive40e (15 miles EV range if you were lucky).

Of course, if you’re not too worried about economy and EV running, you can use the extra power now on offer have a blat, with the xDrive45e getting to 62mph in a decent 5.6 seconds.

It’s probably going to be late in to 2019 until you can actually buy the xDrive45e in the UK.