The new BMW X5 and new BMW X6 can both be ordered with the choice of an eight-cylinder petrol engine, a six-cylinder in-line petrol and a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine – each from the latest generation of power units. All of the engines now link up with the likewise new eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, complete with gearshift paddles on the steering wheel. They send their power to the road – or indeed unpaved surfaces, as the need arises – via the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system.
All the drive units now feature 48V mild hybrid technology. This across-the-board application of electrification comes in the form of an electric motor integrated into the transmission. This motor generates an output boost of up to 9 kW/12 hp and 200 Nm (147 lb-ft) of torque, helping the combustion engine to deliver a smooth, dynamic drive along with high efficiency.
8-speed automatic transmission with pre-stage (red), integrated electric motor (blue) and power electronics at the side, for BMW Plug-In-Hybrids of the upper output level.
The drive system for the plug-in hybrid variant of the SAV has also been completely reworked, and the updated model carries the designation BMW X5 xDrive50e. A latest-generation six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and a similarly new electric motor team up to develop system output of 360 kW/490 hp (including temporary boost effect) – an increase of 70 kW/96 hp over the outgoing model – and combined torque of 700 Nm (516 lb-ft), which is a rise of 100 Nm (74 lb-ft). The petrol engine’s nominal output of 230 kW/313 hp represents an increase of 20 kW/27 hp on the unit it replaces. The compact electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission produces a nominal output of 145 kW/197 hp (+62 kW/84 hp). In addition, an innovative pre-gearing stage – used to increase the effective torque produced by the electric motor to a maximum 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) at the transmission input for the motor – helps to provide even sharper power delivery.
The amount of usable energy that can be stored by the high-voltage battery integrated into the underbody area has been increased by almost 25 per cent over the preceding generation, to 25.7 kWh. A new Combined Charging Unit doubles the maximum AC charging rate to 7.4 kW. The electric range of the new BMW X5 xDrive50e is 94 – 110 kilometres (58 – 68 miles) in the WLTP cycle.
