The new BMW X3 is available from launch with a choice of one diesel and two gasoline engines, with outputs ranging from 180 hp to 300 hp. The new X3 xDrive28d will feature BMW’s 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo diesel 4-cylinder engine. It produces 180 hp (134 kW) and 280 lb-ft (380 N·m) of torque, available from 1,750 rpm, and will be mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The X3 xDrive28d will accelerate from 0 – 60 mph in just under eight seconds. BMW Advanced Diesel technology includes Selective Catalyst Reduction.

The 2015 BMW X3 will go on sale in spring 2014 as a 2015 model with prices starting at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39,325 for the X3 sDrive28i. The X3 xDrive28i (with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive) will have an MSRP of $40,725, while the top-of-the-line X3 xDrive35i will have an MSRP of $46,025. The new X3 xDrive28d with BMW Advanced Diesel technology will start at $42,825. All prices include $925 Destination & Handling fee.

BMW Concept X5 eDrive. The BMW Concept X5 eDrive is able to drive on electric power alone at speeds of up to 75 mph (120 km/h) and for a distance of up to approximately 20 miles (32 km), while recording average fuel efficiency figures of approximately 62 mpg US (3.8 l/100 km) in the EU test cycle. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in less than 7.0 seconds.

BMW says that the concept study has undergone a series of detailed refinements since its introduction in September 2013 at the IAA in Frankfurt in preparation for its appearance at the New York International Auto Show.

The plug-in is equipped with a drive system comprising a 245 hp (183 kW) four-cylinder gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a 95 hp (71 kW), 184 lb-ft (249 N·m) electric motor. The high-voltage battery developed for the BMW Concept X5 eDrive has been housed underneath the luggage compartment, whose load capacity remains virtually unchanged as a result.

Various drive system and driving modes are available; COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO modes can be selected with the Driving Experience Control switch, allowing the intelligent hybrid drive system to be fine-tuned to produce the desired balance between sportiness and efficiency. Two further drive system modes can be activated with a button push as an alternative to the AUTO eDrive setting: MAX eDrive for driving solely on electric power in city traffic; and SAVE Battery for maintaining the current battery charge.

“BMW eDrive” is the collective name for all drive concepts from BMW that are geared to achieving zero emissions at the point of use. The BMW Group has decided that the key components of this technology, such as the electric motor, high-voltage battery and power electronics, will be developed in-house.

BMW eDrive technology comes in various versions, each tailored to the particular vehicle concept. Both the BMW i3, the first all-electric production vehicle from the BMW Group, and the soon-to-be-launched BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car are powered by BMW eDrive technology. The BMW Concept X5 eDrive now follows in the tracks of the BMW Concept Active Tourer (earlier post), seen last year at NYIAS, by demonstrating how model-specific BMW eDrive technology can be employed in plug-in hybrid models from the BMW core brand.

This is the first time that BMW eDrive technology has been paired with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, which offers electronically controlled and fully variable distribution of drive power between the front and rear wheels. Regardless of the selected driving mode, the drive power generated by the electric motor, the engine or the two units acting in unison is channelled to wherever it can be converted into forward propulsion most effectively.

Like other members of the current BMW production line-up, the BMW Concept X5 eDrive also includes a Driving Experience Control switch for selecting not only the COMFORT and SPORT settings but also the ECO PRO mode that fosters a particularly economical driving style. This default driving mode is activated automatically when the car is started and is programmed for intelligent hybrid functionality, whereby the energy management system orchestrates the interaction between engine and electric drive unit as the driving situation changes in order to maximize efficiency.

A hybrid-specific Proactive Driving Assistant has furthermore been included, which works together with the navigation system to allow the route profile, any speed restrictions and the traffic situation to be factored in as well for the purpose of drive management.

The Wallbox Pro charging unit is designed for installation in the customer’s garage and offers a maximum charging rate of 7.4 kW. It is controlled by means of a high-resolution touchscreen including proximity sensor, while LED light strips provide an additional indication of the charge status. The built-in load management facility governs the charging current in accordance with the current draw on the household electricity supply. The Wallbox Pro even makes it possible to use home-generated electricity, such as that obtained from solar panels.

There is also a function for creating different user profiles and displaying the respective charging histories. The corresponding data can be sent online on request, e.g. for billing purposes.

Innovative functions from BMW ConnectedDrive assist with planning journeys in such a way as to maximize the amount of time spent driving on electric power alone. In the BMW Concept X5 eDrive, the current electric range appears as a numerical value in the instrument cluster. Intelligent connectivity enables the vehicle’s dynamic range display to constantly make allowances for any factors affecting the range, such as traffic conditions, route profile and driving style.

When route guidance is activated, the location of local charging stations is added to the selection of points of interest shown on the navigation map. Drivers are able to call up charging stations situated along the planned route or at their destination, while the system additionally notifies them of the charging time needed to fully replenish the battery’s energy levels.

Drivers are also able to view all information relating to the battery’s charge level and electric driving range on their smartphone.