22 August 2013

Plug-in X5 to debut at Frankfurt

BMW's hand in the concepts poker game at Frankfurt 2013 will be a plug-in hybrid X5 sports activity vehicle with a claimed range of 30km on electric power alone, writes Brian Byrne.

The Concept X5 eDrive is an AWD car which the maker says will be also able to reach speeds of 120km/h before slipping back into normal non-electric drive.

In the EU test cycle, the car is expected to achieve more than 74mpg equivalent. A sub-7 seconds 0-100km/h is suggested.

The lithium-ion battery is located under the rear load area, and BMW says cargo capacity is 'virtually unchanged' in this version.