BMW X5 xDrive45e unveiled

The bigger new fourth-generation BMW X5 has already been revealed in full ahead of its Australian release in November, and now the first plug-in hybrid variant has been announced.

Due on sale globally next year, the new BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformance isn’t officially confirmed for Australia yet, but it's clear it will join the local range, which will comprise only diesel engines from launch.

BMW Australia's corporate communications boss, Lenore Fletcher, wouldn't confirm the plug-in hybrid's local launch just yet, but said: "It's not confirmed but you could certainly have a wager on it [coming to Australia].

"With eight electrified products -- nine products if you count the MINI EV -- we’re obviously the leaders in this area. So in terms of a comprehensive range and line-up, certainly BMW is leading the way and there is an appetite for these types of vehicles in our range."

BMW Australia will launch the all-new fourth-generation BMW X5, codenamed G05, in November with a pair of 3.0-litre turbo-diesel models: the X5 xDrive30d (195Nm/620Nm) and the quad-turbo BMW X5 M50d (294kW/760Nm).

"Australian specifications and pricing for the all-new X5 have not been released yet but we are looking forward to our first models being the 30d and M50d," said Fletcher.

"We’ll start with those, as the 30d has always been the biggest seller in the range. So we’ll have a volume-seller and a high-performance model too."

The BMW Australia PR boss told motoring.com.au it was too early to confirm either of the muscular petrol models, the X5 xDrive40i (250kW/450Nm) or X5 xDrive50i (340kW/650Nm).

"We’ll have to wait and see about the petrol models. We haven’t confirmed what models will be added to the range. Historically the X5 has had a broad range to suit a wide range of buyers, but I think you will certainly see a couple of petrol models there – which ones exactly we haven’t confirmed yet."

Given that the 4.4-litre V8-powered X5 50i model has already been scotched for the European market, one likely scenario is the arrival of the X5 40i alongside the petrol-electric X5 45e model in Australia later in 2019.

Boasting significant advances over the outgoing X5 40e PHEV, the new 45e plug-in SUV combines a 210kW version of BMW’s 3.0-litre inline turbo-petrol six with the latest BMW eDrive technology to deliver a total system outputs of 290kW and 600Nm.

That’s enough for BMW to claim 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.6 seconds — which is more than a second less than the 40e — and a top speed of 235km/h.

At the same time, BMW is claiming fuel consumption of just 2.1L/100km, CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and an all-electric driving range of 80km (almost triple that of its predecessor), at speeds of up to 140km/h — up from 120km/h.

Drive is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission and the latest generation BMW xDrive system.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformance’s electric motor produces 82kW and is fed by a high-voltage lithium-ion battery mounted under the body, along with a 69-litre fuel tank.

BMW says this lowers the centre of gravity compared to conventional X5 models, and reduces cargo capacity by 150 litres – to 500 litres behind the rear seats, and to a still-big 1716 litres with them folded.

Unlike other versions of the new BMW X5, a third row of seats will not be available in the 45e, which will come standard with two-axle air suspension and electronically controlled dampers.

On the options list will be integral active steering and a host of “high-quality options to enhance comfort and luxurious interior ambience”.

These are in addition to tech advances across the new BMW X5 range, including twin 12.3-inch colour touch-screens with BMW’s latest iDrive 7.0 infotainment, including new digital services “geared specifically towards electromobility”.

When it goes on sale in Australia in November this yearr, the new X5 will be exclusively six-cylinder and all-wheel drive (four-cylinder, M and rear-drive versions will follow).

Watch this space for our first drive of the new BMW X5 on October 1.