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BMW X5 Hybrid – hybrid cars

At the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, BMW took the opportunity to showcase its green credentials and proverbially stick ‘one in the eye’ for those who are against the 4×4 concept. The result was the BMW X5 Hybrid, a vehicle that relies on complex technology to take its concept to a new level.

Quick links:

History of the BMW X5 Hybrid
Environmental credentials of the BMW X5 Hybrid
BMW X5 Hybrid statistics
Future of the BMW X5 Hybrid

History of the BMW X5 Hybrid

The BMW X5, a mid-size 4×4, first burst on to the motoring scene in 1999 shortly after BMW completed a takeover of Rover with BMW manufacturers closely examining the look and technology of the Range Rover to produce a concept of its own.

In contrast to the Range Rover however, the BMW X5 was meant to be a sporting road car with significantly fewer off-road capabilities than the likes of a Land Rover. In fact, BMW went out of its way to ensure the vehicle was referred to as an SAV rather than an SUV – meaning a sports activity vehicle rather than a sports utility vehicle.

The model underwent a refresh in 2004 with new headlights, exterior colours, upgraded engines and a four-wheel drive system, but it wasn’t until 2007 that the model reached its second generation using the E70 platform making it wider and longer than the previous model.

With fuel prices escalating, BMW chose to unveil a hybrid version of the X5 at the Geneva Motor Show. The car utilises the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept with a twin-turbo, 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel that’s mated to a hybrid motor. The Mild Active Hybrid technology is accompanied by a new eight-speed gearbox and roof-mounted solar panels, all of which are moulded into the unique BMW X5 look.

Environmental credentials of the BMW X5 Hybrid

The achievements of the BMW X5 Hybrid should not be underestimated – at the time of writing, the vehicle boasts the best fuel economy and the lowest emissions of any large 4×4 on the market.

The statistics speak for themselves – thanks to the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept, it returns fuel economy in the region of 43.5mpg and CO2 emissions of just 172g/km, a remarkable achievement for a vehicle of its size. What is particularly appealing about this model however, is that there is no sacrifice on performance – the BMW X5 Hybrid still delivers more than 100bhp per litre and races from 0-62mph in a meagre 8.9 seconds meaning it will hold appeal to traditional 4×4 buyers.

So how has the BMW X5 Hybrid managed to combine such environmental credentials with superb performance? Well, it uses a compact generator that is mounted on to the gearbox and produces 20hp of on-demand power. It also uses regenerative braking to efficiently capture energy that would previously have been lost.

The BMW X5 Hybrid also uses highly efficient lithium-ion batteries in the boot area which enable optimum use of regenerative braking. They also create possibilities with powering the air conditioning, the electric power steering and the electric cooling pump. Uniquely this power is also supplemented by the roof-mounted solar panels which capture energy to be used immediately or stored for later use. In particular, this significantly shortens the warm-up phase.

BMW X5 Hybrid statistics

Here are some crucial statistics about the BMW X5 Hybrid:

0-62 MPH: 8.9secs
Torque: 1,000 NM
CO2 emissions: 172g/km
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel
MPG Combined: 43.5mpg

Future of the BMW X5 Hybrid

The latest version of the BMW X5 Hybrid is likely to be showcased at the IAA Show in Frankfurt, Germany, in September. No release date has been confirmed but check back at TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk for more information.

Author: Lee Sibbald, July 4, 2008

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