BMW created the Sports Activity Vehicle with the X5, and now the BMW X5 has evolved into an all-wheel-drive vehicle of luxury and usefulness. It can take five—or even seven—passengers and cargo safely, quickly, and comfortably in most road conditions. It is nimble and sure-footed. The BMW X5 has raised efficiency to a new level, with gasoline engines that get 18 mpg around town and 27 mpg highway. The diesel-powered X5 is even more fuel-efficient, getting 23 and 31 mpg respectively.
So how do you make en excellent vehicle that gets great fuel mileage for its class even better? How about bumping that fuel mileage figure for gasoline-powered X5s up to about 62 miles per gallon (according to the generous EU test cycle)? All it takes is a smaller gasoline engine and an even smaller electric motor. Yes, BMW has created an X5 plug-in hybrid SAV—as a concept car—and will show it off at the 2014 New York International Auto Show, set to open on April 18.
BMW sees its Concept X5 eDrive—as the vehicle is called—as the logical next step towards bringing about a radical reduction in fuel consumption and emissions in the SAV segment. Combining a conventional gasoline engine together with the cutting-edge BMW eDrive motor keeps the X5 sporty while reducing fuel usage. This is what BMW means when they talk about BMW EfficientDynamics. For example, the Concept X5 eDrive can move on electric power alone at speeds of up to 75 mph over a distance of up to 20 miles.
The drive system on the concept car coming to the New York International Auto Show comprises a 245-horsepower, four-cylinder gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a BMW 95-horsepower electric motor. The electric motor draws its power from a lithium-ion battery that can be charged from a regular wall outlet. The high-voltage battery in the BMW Concept X5 eDrive is located beneath the luggage compartment, so it is protected and most of the cargo space is preserved.
In addition to the settings available using the BMW Driving Experience Control switch, drivers can select intelligent hybrid drive that optimizes the relationship between sportiness and efficiency (AUTO eDrive), pure electric and local emission-free driving (MAX eDrive), and SAVE Battery to maintain the current charge level. The term “local emission-free driving” is basically an acknowledgment that even though when driving using electric power alone means no emissions are coming from the vehicle, the source of the electricity that charged the battery may have generated some; for example, if the electricity source is a coal-fired generating plant.
The Concept X5 eDrive brings some understated styling touches to the vehicle to help identify its uniqueness among BMW SAVs. The kidney grille slats, air intake bars, and the insert in the rear bumper are all finished in the BMW i Blue color developed for the BMW i brand, in contrast to the Silverflake metallic exterior. It also sports body-colored wheel arches, specially styled roof rails, exclusive 21-inch light-alloy wheels, and a charging cable connector that lights up during charging—as on other BMW i models.
Inside, light blue, double-felled seams adorn the Ivory White leather covering the seats, door trim panels, and dashboard. The specially designed interior includes the Piano Finish Black interior trim with blue accent strips, “eDrive” lettering embossed in the front of the headrests, ambient lighting with a blue hue, and a blue illuminated eDrive button. Back in the cargo bay—which is lined in black velour—an illuminated, transparent cover provides a view of the high-voltage battery for the electric motor.
This is the first time that BMW eDrive technology is coupled with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. The xDrive gives the X5 permanent and fully variable distribution of drive power between the front and rear wheels. Regardless of the selected driving mode, the drive power generated by the electric motor, the gasoline engine, or the two units acting together is sent quickly and precisely to wherever it can be converted into forward propulsion most effectively. The result: great traction regardless of weather and the ability to handle the twisty roads that BMW drivers love. All with an average fuel consumption of less than 62 mpg and CO2 emissions of under 90 grams per kilometer.
Having both types of motor propel the Concept X5 eDrive has another advantage besides fuel efficiency. It’s quick. Despite the X5’s weight, it will do 0 to 62 mph in under seven seconds.
BMW has applied the same concept of coordinating the different type engines as in their other i cars. The power electronics combine a liquid-cooled inverter for driving the electric motor, supplying energy to the onboard electrical system from the high-voltage battery, and for centralized control of the hybrid-specific drive functions into a single integrated system.
The BMW Concept X5 eDrive is a plug-in hybrid, meaning that its high-voltage battery can be recharged from any domestic power socket, a special Wallbox that can handle higher currents, or at a public high-speed charging station. The Wallbox Pro can be installed in the customer’s garage, is easy to use, and has very short recharging times. The built-in load management facility governs the charging current in accordance with the current draw on the household electricity supply. The Wallbox Pro even makes it possible to use home-generated electricity, such as that obtained from solar panels. There is also a function for creating different user profiles and displaying the respective charging histories. The Concept X5 also comes with a charging cable that is carried in the vehicle.
Innovative functions from BMW ConnectedDrive assist with planning trips so as to maximize the time spent driving on electric power alone. In the BMW Concept X5 eDrive, the current electric range appears as a number in the instrument cluster. This range display constantly updates any factors affecting the range, such as traffic conditions, route profile, and driving style.
When route guidance is activated, the location of local charging stations is added to the selection of points of interest shown on the navigation map. Drivers may call up charging stations situated along the planned route or at their destination, while the system reports the charging time needed to fully charge the battery. Information graphics show the impact of the driving style on vehicle efficiency and the fuel consumption history for selected periods of time.
Drivers may also keep track of the battery’s charge level and electric driving range on their smartphone. A Remote app from BMW ConnectedDrive that has been specially designed with electric mobility in mind even enables them to control the charging process from their phone. The vehicle can be pre-programmed whenever it is connected to an electricity supply so that the heating and air conditioning systems can be activated remotely to get the passenger compartment to the temperature desired by the driver when starting the trip.
The Concept X5 eDrive is just that—a concept car. However, BMW has been making a habit of bringing many of their concepts to the market. Recently, the company announced a billion-dollar expansion of BMW Plant Spartanburg where all the X vehicles are made. It may be a safe bet that some of those expansion dollars would be spent giving the factory the ability to build plug-in hybrids.—Scott Blazey
