BMW’s first X5 hybrid was spotted in the U.S. during a high altitude testing session. It’s unknown why the prototype carries extensive camouflage since the hybrid X5 was already presented to the public and the design changes from prototype to production are expected to be minimal.
Running in eDrive mode, the BMW X5 eDrive powers all four wheels up to 20 miles and at speeds up to 75 mph. Motivating the X5 eDrive is a 95 hp electric motor and a four cylinder motor. The seamless transition between electric, combined electric-petrol and pure petrol is remarkably smooth.
Pushing the accelerator farther down with more urgency, the N20 four-cylinder motor making 245 hp fires up and very quickly, yet, smoothly joins the acceleration party.
To manage battery capacity BMW has created three drive modes for the X5 eDrive, Intelligent Hybrid, Pure Electric, and Save Battery. It is the Save Battery mode that highlights how BMW expects the vehicle to be used. Going into Save Battery mode restricts the use of battery capacity – allowing for a reserve to complete a journey in pure electric mode inside a city core for example.
We had the unique opportunity to test drive the BMW X5 eDrive back in April.
