The BMW X5 lineup has been complemented with a premium version of the SUV running on hydrogen gas. It uses a third-generation powertrain co-designed with Toyota and is said to be “more powerful, efficient and compact” than its predecessor.
In practical terms, it means that the iX5 Hydrogen will be able to cover more ground on a full tank and will consume less gas in all scenarios. All specifics will have to wait because pre-production examples are still running tests: you can find them in the gallery and the video above.
The fifth generation of the BMW X5 is slated for debut in 2026, but the iX5 Hydrogen won’t be joining it until 2028. The company plans to mass-produce it in Austria. At the same time, BMW is actively investing in new hydrogen refueling stations and logistics centers to make this eco-friendly fuel economically viable. You may find more info by googling HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale).
It won’t be the first X5 ever running on hydrogen, either. The company assembled around 100 such SUVs a couple of years ago, using them for various tests and shows. Every SUV came equipped with a single rear-mounted electric motor and a fuel cell converter concealed in the transmission tunnel. Small hydrogen tanks were located in the tunnel, under the floor and in the trunk. Once fueled to the max, the 2023 BMW iX5 Hydrogen could cover 504 km (313 miles), the manufacturer said.
The next-gen BMW X5 lineup will be based on an improved CLAR architecture. All details remain to be revealed, but rumors claim that the European version of the SUV will use an inline six-cylinder engine as a part of its hybrid powertrain. The company’s 4.4-liter V8 likely won’t be offered in the EU anymore, although it may make an appearance in other regions with less strict emission laws.
