BMW has released some stunning images of the new 545e PHEV xDrive and gorgeous as it may be, it’s not all show and no go.
Under the hood is a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder engine paired to a synchronous electric motor for a combined output of 394 hp while max torque is 600 Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels through an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.
BMW says 0 to 100 km/h in the 545e xDrive takes 4.7 seconds – a tad quicker than the Golf R – onward to an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h. Using purely electric power, the 545e xDrive can reach a top speed of 140 km/h.
This makes the 545e xDrive the fastest BMW PHEV you can buy and within it’s own 5 Series family, it’s behind only to the 550i xDrive and the M5 in terms of performance.
The 550i xDrive makes 462 hp and 650 Nm from 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 paired to an 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox. With power driving all four wheels, it’s capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.0 seconds.
The M5, on the other hand, is also powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, but with 600 hp and 750 Nm. 0 to 100 km/h in the first-ever all-wheel drive M5 takes just 3.4 seconds, while 0 to 200 km/h is done in just 11 seconds.
With a pure electric range of up to 57 km, average fuel consumption in the 545e xDrive is rated at 2.1L/100km. Its 400V lithium-ion battery has been placed under the seat to save space; resulting in 410-litres of boot space.
GALLERY
