BMW adds more hybrids

BMW has already confirmed that it is readying a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its big-selling X1 crossover for the market, but the big news here is that the X1 PHEV will be joined by a comparable X2 iteration, as well.

Both of BMW's compact SUVs will wear the 'xDrive25e' badging, to symbolise their all-wheel-drive capability, their PHEV status and the fact they're both pretty powerful. Both can go up to 57km on their electric power alone, with the fuel consumption of the pair of compact PHEVs rated at 1.9-2.1 litres/100km (148.7- to 134.5mpg) and CO₂emissions pegged in the 43-48g/km bracket. In fact, the slightly more aerodynamic X2 is a bit cleaner on CO₂ (maxing out at 47g/km) and is better for energy usage of its electric drivetrain, returning figures of 13.7-14.2kWh/100km compared to the X1's 13.8-14.3kWh/100km.

Power in both cases comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine (which sees service without electrical assistance in other BMW X1 and X2 models, as well as in the MINI family to which both BMW crossovers are very closely related) that delivers 125hp and 220Nm to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. At the back is a 70kW (95hp) electric motor, which can add another 165Nm of torque into proceedings, and this drives the rear wheels through a single-speed reduction gear. The peak outputs of the X1 and X2 xDrive25e models is therefore rated at a healthy 220hp and 385Nm, meaning they're only really eclipsed for performance by the 306hp M35i derivative of the X2. Expect the X1 PHEV to hit 100km/h from rest in 6.9 seconds, the X2 managing the sprint slightly quicker at 6.8 seconds, while their top speeds are 193- and 195km/h respectively.

With a 10kWh lithium-ion battery pack, it takes around five hours to charge the unit from a conventional household socket, with an 80 per cent charge arriving in a little under four hours. Using BMW's i Wallbox, charging times of the X1 and X2 xDrive25e models can be cut to less than three hours and twelve minutes, with 80 per cent capacity reached in slightly less than two-and-a-half hours. The charging socket for the BMW PHEVs is located on the front-left wing of each vehicle. Oh, and in pure electric driving mode, both of these hybrid crossovers are limited to a 135km/h maximum speed.

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