BMW 5-Series electric wagon will give automaker 'unique' selling point, CEO says

BMW will launch a full-electric station wagon version of the 5-series large sedan as the automaker ramps up its EV product offensive.

The 5-Series electric wagon will give BMW "a unique selling point" in the wagon segment, CEO Oliver Zipse said on Wednesday while presenting the company’s 2022 results and 2023 forecast.

The new-generation 5 Series is due to go on sale this year following the start of production this summer.

A battery-electric i5 sedan will be launched alongside combustion engine versions, with the i5 Touring wagon joining in 2024. The Touring version is "particularly popular in Europe," Zipse said.

Two new plug-in hybrid versions of the 5 Series will also be launched in 2024, Zipse said. 

In addition to the full-electric and plug-in hybrid models, there will be gasoline and diesel variants with 48-volt mild hybrid system, BMW said.

The i5 sedan will also be available as a sporting M Performance version.

The electric i4 M50 electric midsize sedan was the best-selling model from BMW’s M division last year, Zipse said.

“It is another reason why we are also bringing the new BMW i5 onto the market as an M Performance model,” he said of the i4 M50’s success.

The i5 will initially be released in Europe, the U.S. and South Korea. It will be built alongside combustion-engine models at BMW’s factory in Dingolfing, Germany.

BMW showed a covered version of the 5-series during Zipse’s presentation.

The 5 Series was the best-selling car in Europe's premium large-car segment last year, with sales of 53,638, according to figures from market analysts Dataforce. 

The 5 Series finished ahead of the Audi A6 and the Mercedes E-Class. The E-Class is also due to be replaced this year. Mercedes has already launched a full-electric model in the segment, the EQE.