BMW X5 plug-in: guilt-free SUV

SUVs are fuel-guzzling, ozone layer-ripping, earth destroyers, right?

Well not if buy BMWs latest creation.

Seen here in concept form, this hybrid BMW X5 eDrive could be the future of guilt-free SUVs.

Revealed ahead of its debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the eDrive boasts a fuel-consumption figure of just 3.8L/100km thanks to a combination of a 70kW electric motor, lithium-ion batteries and turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.

Such is its electric capacity, BMW claims the big SUV can travel 30km, with speeds up to 120km/h, solely on electric power.

And don’t think BMW has sacrificed performance for economy. The company claims the eDrive will hit 0-100km/h in just 7.0 seconds.

Not bad for a car that can be plugged into the same socket as your kettle.