BMW shows off its first ‘mainstream’ plugin hybrid

Describing any BMW X5 as a mundane model sounds a trifle odd, especially one packing cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology, but that is exactly how BMW views its new X5 xDrive40e.

It's seen as being the first "mainstream" model from Munich to use the technology developed for the much more exotic likes of the i3 electric hatchback and i8 hybrid supercar.

The somewhat torturously named xDrive40e gets a 313hp turbo-charged 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine and that’s backed up by a synchronous electric motor integrated within the casing of the familiar ZF-supplied eight-speed automatic gearbox.

BMW claims that the car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds, can travel for 31km in pure electric mode when its lithium-ion batteries are fully charged, and can do so reaching speeds of up to 120km/h.

Claimed combined fuel consumption is 83mpg with CO2 emissions of 78g/km, putting the car into direct competition with the just-launched Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid.