BMW has confirmed that the next 5 Series will be made available with the option of an electric powertrain, when it arrives within the next three years.
A stalwart of the mid-size exec class along with the Mercedes E-Class, BMW is turning to electric drive in a move that will aim to cut average CO2 emissions across its new car lineup. In total, 25 new electrified models will be launched throughout the BMW Group by 2023, with roughly half of those ditching any form of piston power altogether.
- SEE MORE Electric cars with the longest range
The next 5 Series will come in a second wave of BMW electric car launches over the next couple of years, along with the next 7 Series and an electric version of the X1 SUV.
The first wave will see the BMW iX3, and i4 and iNEXT SUV models launch before the end of 2021.
Like the 7 Series and X1, the 5 Series will continue to offer buyers the option of diesel, petrol mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid power alongside the fully-electric version.
The existing and recently facelifted G30 5 Series uses BMW’s modular CLAR technology, which makes use of high strength steels and lightweight composites in its construction.
The next generation is likely to use an updated structure derived from the same basic layout, and given that the iX3 makes use of similar underpinnings, the EV tech will likely carry over, too. That gives the electric 5 Series - which will more than likely be called i5 - the potential at least to accommodate a rear-mounted 80kWh battery and 282bhp electric motor, resulting in a WLTP-certified range of just under 300 miles.
While BMW has confirmed little else about the next 5 Series, the electric version would hit the market as a rival for the likes of the upcoming Mercedes EQE saloon - an electric sibling for the E-Class - and the Tesla Model S.
It’s unknown if BMW would look to offer the electric version in both saloon and estate bodied Touring format. However, looking to upcoming electric versions of core BMW models, such as the iX3 and the i4, the i5 will feature several unique design changes on the exterior, to set it out as an all-electric model.
What will an all-electric BMW 5 Series have to beat? These are the best electric cars on sale right now...
from Sitewide RSS feed https://ift.tt/331fCLJ
No comments:
Post a Comment