BMW Philippines is already offering plug-in hybrid variants of the X1, the X3, and the X5 in its current lineup. But now, the German automaker has answered the call of customers who want a simpler form of electrification for their everyday drive. 

SMC Asia Car Distributors, Corp., the official distributor of BMW vehicles in the country, has officially launched the X5 xDrive40i xLine hybrid. The new variant serves as the entry model in the X5 range with a price tag of PHP 5,298,000.

The X5 hybrid is also powered by the B58, an inline-six TwinPower Turbo engine. With a smaller electric motor and battery, the X5 hybrid is less powerful than the PHEV variants, but is nevertheless still making a healthy 381 PS and 540 Nm of torque. It also comes with an 8-speed Steptronic transmission that sends power to all four wheels with BMW’s xDrive system.

In terms of its look, the X5 xDrive40i shares the same bumper design and wheels with the xDrive 50e PHEV variant. The only glaring difference is that the X5 xDrive40i does not have a pop-up lid on the left front fender, since it does not need to be plugged in. Much like the xDrive50e xLine, the X5 hybrid comes with an adaptive two-axle air suspension.

Customers can also expect similar levels of premium inside, as the X5 xDrive40i also comes with quilted leather seats, an electric-assisted split rear tailgate, and the same BMW Live Cockpit Plus system that consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment display.

Together with the X3 20 xDrive hybrid, BMW is only releasing 50 units of the X5 xDrive 40i for the Philippine market.