Debuts in New York

BMW has unveiled the updated Concept X5 eDrive, ahead of its debut at the New York Auto Show.

Looking virtually identical to the concept that was shown at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the updated X5 eDrive has undergo a "series of detailed refinements."

On the styling front, the model has a Silverflake metallic exterior with BMW i Blue accents. The crossover has also been equipped with new roof rails and bespoke 21-inch alloy wheels.

The interior boasts Ivory White leather upholstery, piano black trim, blue accents and "eDrive" embossed headrests. The model also has blue ambient lighting, blue contrast stitching and a transparent cover that allows people to see the high-voltage battery. There's also a BMW ConnectedDrive system which helps to maximize the amount of time spent driving on electric power alone.

Speaking of the latter, power is provided by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a 245 PS (180 kW) TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, a 95 PS (70 kW) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery that is housed underneath the luggage compartment. This setup enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than seven seconds and travel up to 30 km (18.6 miles) on electricity alone at speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph). More importantly, the model will consume less than 3.8 L/100 (61.8 mpg US / 74.3 mpg UK) and have CO2 emissions under 90 g/km.

The concept also has a BMW Driving Experience Control switch with three different modes: AUTO eDrive (which balances performance and efficiency), MAX eDrive (pure EV mode) and SAVE (which keeps the battery charged for use later in the trip).

BMW declined to talk about production plans but the company has already confirmed they will build an X5 plug-in hybrid at their Spartanburg plant in the "near future."

With the Concept X5 eDrive about to be unveiled at the New York Inernational Auto Show (NAIAS) 2014 , BMW has revealed the complete specs and figures list for it. We already knew bits and pieces, like the official economy quote of 3.8 l/100km (74.3 mpg US) and the fact that it uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged 241 hp four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor to make progress, but we were lacking some.

Arguably, one of the most important capabilities of this half-electric SUV was its ability to travel on battery power alone, which according to BMW can be accomplished for distances of (up to) 20 miles or 32 km at speeds of (up to) 120 km/h or 75 mph. The electric motor has 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque; peak power is 94 hp; the specs seem unchanged from when it was first revealed.

Three driving modes will be available for this X5, just like on any other similarly powered hybrid: there’s Auto eDrive which is the balanced setting that allows for sporty driving, then there’s Max eDrive which is the pure electric mode and finally we have a Save Battery function that does exactly that (it keeps electricity in the battery, using only the petrol engine for power).

The concept and eventual production version it will spawn are very important for BMW because they show that their eDrive tech can be used in their core model lineup, instead of only with their dedicated i line. This is actually more their point than actually making a petrol-electric X5 – to prove the tech can be adapted for various models and offered as an upmarket power option.

BMW also added a few extra photos of it, which you can find in the gallery below.

Everything from foot rests to ECU remaps

Hamann has released an extensive customization program for the third generation BMW X5 (F15).

The package starts on the outside where the redesigned front bumper incorporates LED daytime running lights and also the fog lights. A front lip made from fiberglass is available and can be had with a clear-coated carbon black finish. In addition, Hamann has prepared different side skirts, a two-piece roof-mounted spoiler and a multitude of alloy wheels offered in several colors.

For the interior there are different finishes of the aluminum pedals and foot rests, together with a custom set of floor mats. The changes go skin deep as the 2014 BMW X5 can be had with a chrome or carbon quad exhaust system compatible with the standard rear bumper.

More important, there are a few power upgrades courtesy of a remapped ECU which has increased output of the M50d from 381 PS & 740 Nm to 434 PS & 830 Nm. The sDrive25d & xDrive 25d can offer 251 PS & 502 Nm, up from the series 218 PS & 450 Nm, while the xDrive 30d's revised ECU can bump output to 295 PS & 605 Nm, up from the series 258 PS & 560 Nm.

The power upgrades continue with the xDrive35i with 348 PS & 449 Nm (increased from 306 PS & 400 Nm), the xDrive40d which can churn 355 PS & 695 Nm compared to the stock 313 PS & 630 Nm. Finally, the xDrive 50i by Hamann can develop 490 PS & 707 Nm, considerably more than the standard 450 PS & 650 Nm.

Will spawn production version

BMW has released a video detailing the updated X5 eDrive concept which previews a production plug-in hybrid version of the Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV).

The Bavarian marque is determined to launch a plug-in hybrid version of the third-gen X5 and this should be out in the months to come with virtually the same specifications as the updated X5 eDrive concept featured in this video. It will combine a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack installed under the luggage area.

The conventional engine puts out 245 PS & 350 Nm while the electric motor delivers an additional 95 PS & 250 Nm creating a combined output of 340 PS (250 kW) and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft). It's enough for a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in less than seven seconds when the powers of both engines are combined. Running in electric mode grants the vehicle with a maximum range of up to 20 miles (32 km) and a maximum speed of 75 mph (120 km/h).

According to a report which appeared at the beginning of the year, the production version will wear the xDrive40e moniker and will come out in the following months, possibly in October at the Paris Motor Show before going on sale towards the end of the year.