BMW continues to enhance its i line, with the recent unveil of the BMW Concept X5 eDrive at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. The next generation of the X5 is still gorgeous and performance oriented, but has a newfound love for its environment. That is to say, it is a plug-in hybrid.

The BMW Concept X5 eDrive at a glance:

• The plug-in hybrid powertrain features a 4-cylinder gas engine paired with a 95-horsepower electric motor. The electric motor was developed in-house. The system also packs a lithium-ion battery pack for extra range.
• Automated transmission sends power to all four wheels
• The 0-60 mile per hour mark is achieved in less than 7 seconds, not too bad for a hybrid. Hybrids tend to be heavier than their gas-sipping siblings, with extra lbs added by the electric motor and battery.
• Gas powered counterparts can envy the Concept X5 eDrive’s impressive 61 mile per gallon stats.
• Unlike some luxury hybrid models that seem to be released prematurely without attention to range, the X5 eDrive can hit a blistering 75 miles per hour for a 19 mile stretch on electric power alone. There are no regular speed range figures, but you can imagine they will be longer than most.
• This concept features the BMW xDrive AWD system
• A specialized hybrid-specific Proactive Driving Assistant accesses the navigation system to determine routes that will optimize the range.

• Three driving modes: Intelligent hybrid drive for efficiency, Pure electric mode for electric power only mode, and Safe battery mode to ensure the battery remains fully charged.
• The BMW Concept X5 eDrive can be charged at a standard electrical outlet, with a wall charger or at a public charging station. These options should help to reduce range anxiety. We plug in our smartphones, ipads and computers constantly, are our vehicles next?

While the BMW X5 hybrid is certainly exciting, it was upstaged by its racier i8 sibling at the Frankfurt show. The BMW i8 production version is also a hybrid, but it is a sports car, slung low and turbocharged. It packs a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine and a 131 horsepower electric motor. It is coming to showrooms in the states by 2015. The X5 concept is currently referred to as a “study vehicle”, with no official plans for production.

The BMW i8 at the Frankfurt Show

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