BMW Malaysia’s first plug-in hybrid X5 is priced at RM388,800
There’s a small electrical storm brewing in Malaysia right now, fortunately for all the right reasons. With the official launch of BMW Malaysia’s latest X5 xDrive40e, there is hopefully a more solid argument to better EV infrastructure in the country which at this point in time falls short.
This would be a natural nemesis for the Volvo XC90 T8, also a locally assembled plug-in hybrid. However, the BMW is a five seater, compared to the seven passengers the Volvo can carry.
The X5 xDrive40e is a compelling SAV (or Sports Activity Vehicle; BMW-speak for their SUV), the first being its price. Carrying the best benefit of being granted EEV status, the vehicle is priced at RM388,800 excluding insurance. [BMW Malaysia states that without the Hybrid Incentive the price would be RM582,800]
The new BMW X5 xDrive40e is assembled in Malaysia and is the 11th model to join the portfolio of locally-assembled vehicles at BMW Group Malaysia’s Assembly Facilities at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park
Powertrain
Being a plug-in internal combustion(IC)-electric motor hybrid, the main power derives from a TwinPower Turbo two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 245hp and 350Nm of torque. The electric motor meanwhile, delivers an output of 83 kW (roughly 112hp) with a maximum torque of 250 Nm.
This makes a total output of 309hp and 450Nm from 1250rpm to 4500rpm. [The maths don’t add up? That’s because peak power is not achieved at the same time]
Performance
0-100kph takes 6.8 seconds before a maximum speed of 210kph is reached. Fuel consumption is rated at a very attractive 3.3 litre per 100km. Gearbox is an eight-speed Steptronic.
Hybrid performance
Apart from letting the car decide automatically, the driver can also opt to rotate between the two different propulsion systems of IC and electric motor. Using the eDrive button located on the centre console changes how the hybrid system works. Auto is default setting, where the car decides everything and is the most efficient.
MAX eDrive is when travel is all done using the electric motor. The zero emission function offers a maximum range of 30 km at a limited top speed of 120 km/h. The third mode, SAVE Battery, allows the driver to save or build-up the high-voltage battery’s energy reserved for a later point in time.
Plug-in recharge
The 9.2kWh capacity battery can be topped up using any domestic power socket which, if from flat can be fully charged in around 3 hours 50 minutes.
Additionally, under the umbrella of BMW 360° ELECTRIC, customers are offered the ChargeNow service that grants straightforward access to partner charging stations, ChargEV, offered through BMW Group Malaysia’s partnership with GreenTech Malaysia. These stations are already operational in 19 strategic locations throughout Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kedah, Melaka, and Johor.
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