BMW X5 25d and BMW X5 40e prices+specs for SA – new drivetrains for popular BMW SUV
BMW X5 25d and BMW X5 40e prices+specs for SA – new drivetrains for popular BMW SUV
BMW SA will soon expand its popular X5 SUV (or SAV as they call it) range by adding new drivetrain options, in the form of a 4-cylinder diesel 25d model and a plug-in hybrid-electric 40e eDrive.
4-cylinder turbo diesel in X5 for the first time – the BMW X5 xDrive25d
X5 xDrive25d is an all-new designation for BMW. The 25d slots in, obviously, below the 30d models, with the engine being quite different: where we know the X5 with 30d badge uses a 3-litre straight-six diesel turbo and is a keen performer, the new-to-X5 25d nomenclature marks this is a 2-litre inline-4 diesel turbo, with a 500Nm torque figure quote and a class-beating 170kW (a lot from a 2.0 diesel).
Why would BMW do this?
As Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have started adding 4-cylinder around 2-litre diesel engines into its ML/GLE and XC90 full-size SUVs, thereby giving them entry-level (read lower-priced) models, BMW decided that its strong 25d would also make a good entry-level X5… but it has to beat the rivals, so it outperforms the Mercedes-Benz GLE250d 4Matic and Volvo XC90 D4 front-wheel drive. The BMW X5 xDrive25d has a 0-100 km/h figure of 7.7 seconds, compared to the GLE250d with 8.6 sec, and the big Volvo D4’s 9.2 time. BMW has therefore added a new entry-level, bringing the X5 start price down from nearly R950k for the 35i or R960k for the 30d, to R890k for the 25d. The X5 xDrive 25d is very closely positioned in key specs and price to the Volvo XC90 D5 AWD which has 165kW, 470Nm, 7.8 sec and 5.8 l/100.
The BMW X5 25d consumption given is 5.6 l/100km combined cycle, with a corresponding 146 g/km emissions, beating the XC90 D5 here. The BMW X5 xDrive25d is priced at R 887 000, with a low R 2 668 emissions tax added making R 889 668.
Option packs and combinations thereof can be added, including Exterior Design Pure Experience, Interior Design Pure Experience, Exterior/Interior Design Pure Excellence, while the popular M Sport pack can also be had on the X5 25d.
A price comparison shows the BMW X5 xDrive25d at R 889 668, Volvo XC90 D5 AWD Momentum at R 890 900 (within a few Rands the same) and Mercedes-Benz GLE250d costing R 927 094.
Spec items like automatic anti-dazzle mirrors, wood trim and rear-view camera are deleted from standard spec (all are optional) to help reduce the price, while the gearbox is the standard Steptronic without paddles rather than the sport-lever adaptive gearbox (though is included with the M Sport pack on this model).
BMW adds a plug-in hybrid SUV – this is the BMW X5 xDrive40e eDrive
The disect the possibly confusion-causing name: the xDrive is to show this is still a 4-wheel-drive X5 (not a front-wheel-drive like some other big SUVs) and the eDrive part is familiar by now from the BMW i3 eDrive and BMW i8 eDrive, indicating the drivetrain has electric drive. The 40e bit serves to position it in on the same rank as the X5 40d, and the “e” to show it is not “i” for petrol nor “d” for diesel.
The long-named X5 is the first SUV from BMW featuring a hybrid drivetrain option, and it counters the other hybrid SUV offerings in the market: Lexus RX 450h (the just-landed Lexus RX is in its 3rd generation of SUV hybrid in SA), Porsche Cayenne S e-hybrid, and Volvo XC90 T8 TwinEngine.
Preposterously low consumption/emissions
The distinction here is that the RX is a conventional hybrid running on a 3.5 V6 petrol engine and battery pack (where the engine has to recharge the electric drivetrain), while the Cayenne, XC90 T8 and now X5 40e are plug-in hybrids, meaning you can recharge the battery (where and when possible) from an electric charging point, rather than letting the engine do the work – this partly explains the preposterously low consumption/emissions numbers, especially for big heavy 4-wheel-drive SUVs.
The BMW X5 xDrive40e eDrive is based on the 2.0 4-cylinder petrol turbo engine, and is listed at 3.3 litres per 100km and 77 grams/km! Combined engine-electric system output is 230kW and 450+ Nm. The performance key figures are 6.8 sec and a 210km/h restricted top speed.
Comparing prices of hybrid SUVs in South Africa
The inevitable price comparison between SUVs are quite direct in this hybrid SUV field: the Lexus hybrid price includes a R 1 129 emissions tax, while others are all emissions-tax exempt.
It shows the Lexus RX 450h SE coming in a few notes under the million-Rand mark, at R 999 000. The Volvo XC90 T8 TwinEngine AWD costs R 1 053 400 (in base Momentum trim – the one you actually want is the much more luxurious chrome-grille Inscription-badged model you have seen in the TV ads and media, for R 1 092 100).
Next up is the BMW X5 xDrive40e eDrive, at R 1 097 500. Here you might want to pick from the abovementioned Design Pure style packages, or get the M Sport for the eco-conscious hybrid-yet-sporty look.
The Porsche Cayenne S e-hybrid commands a Porsche premium, at R 1 350 000 with the 3-year Driveplan (add R50k for a 5-year maintenance plan).
Search for a nearly-new or a used BMW X5 here, or configure a new one on at the bmw.co.za Build&Price link.