Super TestCar reviews - BMW - X5 - xDrive40eBMW modelsOverviewPlug-in BMW X5 uses electric motor to take load off petrol engine with mixed results6 Apr 2016 PLUG-IN hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variants once came with major price and packaging penalties, however the $118,900 (plus on-road costs) X5 xDrive40e is at least identically priced and equipped to the existing diesel-engined X5 xDrive40d. No prizes for guessing what the ‘e’ and ‘d’ stand for, though. There are, however, also comparisons to be made with the $86,200 X5 sDrive25d and its $91,200 all-wheel-drive equivalent, and the $102,900 X5 xDrive30d that sit below the duo of ‘40’ models in BMW’s best-selling model range. Practically speaking, going petrol-electric reduces boot volume by 30 per cent compared with all other X5s, to 500 litres, or 5L larger than a 3 Series Touring. It also means forgoing a spare tyre and the option of seven-seat capability, because 96 lithium-ion batteries now reside under the rear floor. More compromise comes in terms of a kerb weight that totals 2230kg, or 120kg more than an X5 xDrive40d. The batteries contribute 105kg alone, but BMW has made two-mode adaptive dampers with rear air suspension standard on the plug-in X5 to compensate, where it is a $3200 option on all diesel versions. With the statistical differences of going electric clear on the board first, the X5 xDrive40e can then attempt to woo on the road with its silent driveability and remarkable claimed efficiency. Click here for the full review... GalleryClick to see larger images Model release date: 1 April 2016 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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