Members of the press took BMW’s X5 eDrive PHEV for a test drive at an event in Germany this week. BMW also presented several elements of its EfficientDynamics strategy, which depends on a combination of ever-more-efficient gasoline and diesel engines with eDrive electrified drive technology developed by the BMW i sub-brand.

BMW plans to develop electrified versions of every model series in its product line, from scooters to SUVs, and all key eDrive components, such as electric motors, high-voltage batteries and power electronics, will be developed in-house.

The X5 PHEV prototype, which BMW calls a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), can do 0-100 km/h in less than seven seconds, and is expected to offer fuel efficiency of around 62 mpg and an electric range of over 18 miles.

BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system automatically splits torque from the electric motor, the four-cylinder gas engine, or both, in a variable ratio between the front and rear wheels for optimal traction and stability.

Anther energy-saving innovation in the X5 is BMW’s proactive drive system, which uses electronic sensors, radar and camera sensors, the navigation system, and even the vehicle’s turn signals to anticipate driving situations in advance and adapt gear changes in real time for maximum efficiency.

Source: BMW via Green Car Congress