Pricing and specification of battery-wed editions of Kiwi-favoured sports utility have been sorted.

ARRIVAL of the next generation of the BMW X5 in electric-involved format will start early next year.

The plug-in hybrid petrol and a first-ever fully electric edition respectively represent as the $174,900 X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid and the $182,900 iX5 60 xDrive.

The petrol-wed, electric-assisted type involves a 3.0-litre straight six petrol engine with electric motors, with combined outputs of 360kW and 700Nm,, an eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive and a 26.5kWh battery pack.

Combined economy of 5.2L/100km and a pure electric range of 92–102km on the WLTP cycle is cited.

The electric-wed variant has dual motors with 425kW and 805Nm and professes a range of 845m, making it the longest-range EV yet sold here. However, that figure from BMW regional headquarters in Melbourne is at odds with less alluring data out of Munich.

The battery is also the largest yet seen in an EV here, with 141kWh capacity. It has a peak DC charging speed of 460kW. Ten minutes of ‘high power charging’ can add 350km worth of charge. A 0-100kmh time of 4.6 seconds is cited.

Both models have both trims BMW’s 3D head-up display, its ‘Panoramic Vision’ digital instrument cluster, a passenger screen, an 18-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system, a power tailgate, parking assist, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof and heated, cooled and massage function front seats. They ride on 21 inch rims and have the M Sport package and M Sport brakes.

Optional extras include BMW’s Comfort Package and M Sport Pro package, respectively priced at $2300 and $3600.

The first implements heated armrests in the doors, a heated centre console armrest, heated back seats, four-zone climate control, and rear roller sunblinds. M-Sport Pro delivers red or blue brake calipers, M seat belts, an M steering wheel and an M Shadowline glass kidney grille.

Other options include adaptive chassis control for $7000, which adds BMW’s adaptive -axle air suspension and rear axle steering set-up. Black, Copper Brown and Silverstone II interior hues are no-cost choices; Vintage Coffee leather adds $8300.

There are also six different wheel options, and nine colour choices, with just Alpine White avoiding a premium.

Unsurprisingly very close to the iX3 in respect its styling - but on a development of the existing car’s platform, rather than the latest Neue Klasse underpinning - the latest line will also eventually come out in a hydrogen fuel-cell versions, using Toyota-supplied hardware.

The push kicks ins with the $161,900 294kW/670Nm 40d xDrive, which will here prior to Christmas.

All editions continue to come from BMW’s factory in Spartanburg, the United States.

The outgoing X5 family cars range from $174,000 for a 3.0-litre diesel through to $249,400 for an X5 M.

Insofar as the electric plan goes, the iX5 eDrive 60 is only version Germany is talking about for now, though other battery-pure versions are clearly also planned.

This uses BMW's sixth-generation 'eDrive' technology, with an electric motor on each axle for all-wheel drive.

Also in mains-replenished hybrid, but apparently not on local books, is the X5 M60e xDrive, a so-called M Performance car, putting out 456kW and 800Nm. It has an official electric range of 81-98km and accelerates from 0-100kmh in 4.5 seconds.

The overall design is described by BMW as being more monolithic, with less adornment and a more vertical front than before. The X5's door handles are different, in that they take the form of aerodynamic 'Winglets' at the same level as the side glass.

At the rear, the X5 uses slim LED lights stretching across much of the tailgate to emphasise the car's width. Again, they’re similar to what's on the iX3.

There's no mention of the seven-seat layout of old, so assumption is that it’s gone back to being a pure five chair car, with generous space in the cabin and the boot, though the capacity of the latter varies depending on the model.

The iX5 accommodates up to 655 litres’ luggage with all seats in use whereas the plug-in hybrid can accept 525 litres.

New to X5 are automatic doors, which electrically open at the smallest touch of the winglets. Ir even before. When using Digital Key Plus the owner can set the car up so their door opens automatically as they approach.

An option allows the doors to close when the driver puts a foot on the brake pedal. Soft Close doors is included across the range. Also standard is the panoramic glass roof with an opening section and '2.5-zone' climate control. The BMW iX5 has a heat pump.

The control layout is, of course all by screen. The core system is BMW Panoramic iDrive, running BMW Operating System X with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant using extended AI technology.

As per the iX3 and next year’s i3, the set-up includes Panoramic Vision (a strip running across the full base of the windscreen), along with a 3D head-up display, a 17.9-inch touchscreen and an optional passenger-side touchscreen.

The X5 will also be offered with BMW Symbiotic Drive, which is designed to provide assistance matched to the driver's behaviour. The optional Parking Assistant Professional system can include remote-control functions via the My BMW app.

In relating the popularity of X5 in New Zealand, BMW says around 7000 NZ-new examples have found homes here.