[AndreiPopescu]

If BMW displays the battery being positioned in front of the rear differential, then why did they limit the boot space? Every car journalist says the boot is reduced to accomodate the battery, but it doesnt seem like the battery is underneath it.

Is this just to show the drivetrain in a more pleasant way or did they place the fuel tank underneath the boot?

[Tenac]

I never put thought into that, but yeah looks like the battery from you image is where the typical BMW saddle tank is for fuel. Makes me wonder where they moved it too or are the fuel and battery that whole unit somehow?

[DallasCajun]

Outside of not having storage under the cargo floor, I certainly don't feel as though the cargo space is limited at all. It would be nice to have a little space for the charging cables and other small tools but that's why they placed it all in a fancy XM bag.

I just took a look under the vehicle and only see suspension/drivetrain components in that area but the gas tank could be hidden from view. But given the battery is a) extremely heavy and b) a consistent weight regardless of charge it makes sense to place it in the middle while the gas tank sits behind it for handling/CoG purposes.

The gas tank is variable weight and probably not as heavy as the battery unless full.

[AndreiPopescu]

Originally Posted by DallasCajun

Outside of not having storage under the cargo floor, I certainly don't feel as though the cargo space is limited at all. It would be nice to have a little space for the charging cables and other small tools but that's why they placed it all in a fancy XM bag.

I just took a look under the vehicle and only see suspension/drivetrain components in that area but the gas tank could be hidden from view. But given the battery is a) extremely heavy and b) a consistent weight regardless of charge it makes sense to place it in the middle while the gas tank sits behind it for handling/CoG purposes.

The gas tank is variable weight and probably not as heavy as the battery unless full.

Considering 70L (18.5 gal) of petrol weights 51kg or 112lbs, compared to the weight of a 30kwh battery which is about 250kg or 550lbs and takes well over 200l of space, for sure the fuel tank is located underneath the boot. Also look at the weight distribution, 49% front /51% rear. This would be messed up if a 250kg battery was at the very end. + it would've oversteered. The last place you want to have a lot of weight is at the very back

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by AndreiPopescu

If BMW displays the battery being positioned in front of the rear differential, then why did they limit the boot space? Every car journalist says the boot is reduced to accomodate the battery, but it doesnt seem like the battery is underneath it.

Is this just to show the drivetrain in a more pleasant way or did they place the fuel tank underneath the boot?

I would say other components where the battery is need to be shifted somewhere else. Additionally as others have stated the gas tank remains and the XM has rear steer so all that has to be stashed somewhere.


Look at any other hybrid vechile with a battery and boot space is reduced.