The Next-generation BMW 5-Series to Get At Least Two Electric Variants

author: Manish Kharinta   

German automaker BMW joined the likes of other mainstream car makers like General Motors when it announced its plans to introduce 25 models with electrified powertrains by the year 2025. 

The company made the announcement a few years ago when it unveiled the company's "ACES strategy", which stands for autonomous driving, connectivity, electrification and services.

In a recent update, BMW CEO Harald Kruger announced that the automaker has moved up its target to 2023. This update is one of Kruger's parting announcements, as he will be leaving the company in weeks to come. 

BMW has also confirmed that out of the 25 electrified models that will go on sale by 2023, more than half will be battery-only offerings. Kruger added that one of these models will be electric part of BMW's next-generation 5-Series lineup. 

The 5-Series happens to be one of the company's most adorned offerings, which has managed to secure a dedicated customer base, over the years.  

The next-generation 5-Series will feature a brand new design with at least two new all-electric variants. Earlier, Kruger announced that BMW's fifth-generation iDrive technology will make its debut in the company's upcoming iNEXT and i4 models. 

The company claims that with its updated iDrive technology, these electric 5-Series models will offer driving ranges between 340 and 435 miles. The electrified 5-Series variants will also get the same iDrive technology and will not take on BMW's i-Series nomenclature.

So far, BMW has not disclosed any specifications for the battery pack it plans on using in the electric 5-Series. It is likely that the 5-Series electric sedan might get a 60 or 80 kWh pack offering driving ranges starting around 300 miles. 

The next-gen 5-Series electric will be offered in both rear-wheel-drive and with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

As a teaser for the upcoming 5-Series, BMW recently unveiled its power BEV prototype. This prototype is based on the current generation 5-Series and is powered by BMW's 5th generation electric powertrain. The powertrain comes with a set of three electric motors, one of which is used to power the front wheels and the other two power the rear wheels independently. 

The electric motor generates a total power output of 720 horsepower and helps the car accelerates from 0 to 60 to mph in under 3 seconds.

Manish Kharinta

Manish Kharinta is a automotive writer based in the Los Angeles area. He has worked for automotive industry websites TheSmokingClutch.com, CarDekho.com and CarBikeindia.com. His experience ranges from covering auto shows, to car reviews and breaking automotive news. Manish aims to bring forth his unique perspective on automotive design and technological innovations in the automotive industry.