Overview
- BMW has detailed its fifth‑generation X5 family that includes five drivetrain options: gasoline, diesel, plug‑in hybrid, a fully electric iX5, and a planned hydrogen fuel‑cell iX5 around 2028.
- The iX5 uses BMW’s sixth‑generation eDrive, an 800‑volt architecture and an unusually large round‑cell high‑voltage battery with about 144 kWh usable in U.S. specs and 141 kWh in Europe to target class‑leading range.
- BMW will sell a China‑exclusive Long Wheelbase X5 and iX5 with a 130 mm longer wheelbase, larger rear doors, an 8K Theatre Screen and other rear‑seat luxury features to meet local customer preferences.
- Range claims differ by test cycle: BMW cites about 845 km under Europe’s WLTP cycle and up to 1,000 km under China’s CLTC cycle, with CLTC known to produce more optimistic figures than WLTP.
- For Chinese models BMW is partnering with local AI firm Momenta to deliver navigation‑guided address‑to‑address driver assistance, and BMW says the same production lines can be adapted to build hydrogen variants.