BMW

BMW iX5 Hydrogen, range of up to 750 km and charging in five minutes

BMW has released key details about the iX5 Hydrogen model, which is expected to arrive on the market in 2028.

The hydrogen fuel cell crossover will offer an estimated range of up to 750 kilometers according to the WLTP cycle, while the EPA standard records around 620 kilometers.

The impressive range is enabled by a new system of seven tanks made of carbon fiber reinforced composite, placed side by side between two metal plates. The system stores at least seven kilograms of hydrogen, and a full charge takes less than five minutes – comparable to filling up at a gas station.

A key advantage of the new design is compatibility with BMW's sixth-generation battery. Since both systems take up the same amount of space, BMW can replace them on the same production line, which significantly reduces the complexity of production.

The model will use the third generation of the fuel cell system and the technology of the Neue Klasse platform. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be one of five powertrain options for this crossover, alongside electric, plug-in hybrid, diesel and petrol versions.

Now betting on the greatest number of options possible, the new X5 will not be limited to gasoline or diesel engines. The German company's idea is that it will have almost all types of propulsion possible, in addition to the usual gasoline and hybrid versions, there will also be a derivative capable of running on hydrogen, made in partnership with Toyota.

But that's not all: an electric version is also being planned. There are even rumors of an electric vehicle with a range extender, an EREV - something that wouldn't be exactly new for the German company, since it had previously sold the distinctive i3 with a small combustion engine acting as a generator.

According to the profile, the model will first arrive in the 40 xDrive configuration, which will use the 3.0 turbo inline six-cylinder engine with an MHEV system, with a global focus, and in the 40d xDrive, which, as the name indicates, is powered by diesel. It is not expected to be offered in all markets.

Moving on to versions with more complex electrification systems, there's the X5 50e xDrive and the X5 M60e xDrive. The former should be an evolution of the current model, using the six-cylinder engine in conjunction with an electric motor, but with a greater range than the 80 km of the G05 generation. The M60, in turn, should have a more sporty positioning, but there are no further details about the powertrain.

The electric versions are slated for the turn of 2026 and mid-2027, starting with the iX5 60 xDrive in December, and followed by the iX5 50 xDrive and iX5 M70 xDrive versions next year. Since all are xDrive, it's not an exaggeration to say they will feature two electric motors, one on each axle.

Autonews