BMW New Zealand has confirmed that it will bolster its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) range with the launch of the 550e xDrive in 2025.
The 550e xDrive will be a new addition to BMW's PHEV offering, combining an electrified powertrain with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
It is also is set to join another PHEV, the X3 xDrive30e, in BMW's local lineup next year.
In other markets, the 550e xDrive features a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine and an electric motor delivering a combined output of 360kW and 700 Nm of torque. This allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. In fully electric mode, it can reach speeds up to 140 km/h.
The electric-only range is around 50km, thanks to a 19.4kWh lithium-ion battery. Optimised charging allows the battery to reach full capacity in around three hours with a 7.4kW charger.
Specific details on power output and battery range for the local model are yet to be released, however.
In any case, the 550e xDrive will follow BMW’s approach of offering sufficient electric-only range for daily commutes, complemented by an internal combustion engine for longer journeys.
The move to introduce another PHEV comes at a time when both global and local markets are seeing increased demand for electrified vehicles.
In New Zealand, this demand has been partly driven by government incentives aimed at reducing carbon emissions from the country’s vehicle fleet. The 550e xDrive offers consumers another high-performance hybrid option in the luxury sedan segment.
BMW New Zealand’s decision to expand its PHEV line-up is also a response to the brand’s broader global sustainability goals.
By 2025, the automaker aims to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of its fleet, and PHEVs like the 550e xDrive are seen as an essential part of this strategy.
The new BMW 550e xDrive PHEV is coming to New Zealand next year. BMW will release more detailed specifications, including pricing and availability, as the launch date approaches.