BMW is gearing up to launch an assortment of electric vehicles including the iX3, i4 and iNext. Now, it appears the next-generation 5- and 7-Series could be among them.
Citing company insiders, Handelsblatt is reporting the 7-Series will gain an electric variant in 2022. A 5-Series EV will then follow “shortly afterwards.”
The report doesn’t mention specifications, but earlier rumors suggested the so-called i7 could be offered with multiple batteries packs. Nothing is official, but the base i7 could have a 80 kWh battery while the range-topping variant might have a larger 120 kWh battery which could allow for a range of up to 434 miles (700 km).
The same report also suggested the i7 could be offered with varying electric motors. The range-topping variant is said to have two electric motor which would give the model all-wheel drive as well as combined output of around 650 hp (485 kW / 659 PS).
The 5- and 7-Series are also slated to be offered with petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains. With the addition of pure electric variants, BMW will have effectively covered all of the bases.
The multi-powertrain strategy has an added benefit as BMW will be able to ramp up production of variants that prove popular. If the electric 5- and 7-Series take off, BMW could increase production of those variants while curtailing production of less popular versions. The opposite is also true as the company could focus on petrol and diesel versions if the EVs fail to resonate with consumers.
While both models are still a ways off, the i4 is expected to be previewed next month. The model will go into production in 2021 and feature an electric powertrain that develops around 523 hp (390 kW / 530 PS).
BMW has previously said this will enable the four-door Gran Coupe to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in approximately four seconds and hit a top speed in excess of 125 mph (200 km/h). Furthermore, the i4 will have a roughly 80 kWh battery which allows for a range of approximately 373 miles (600 km) in the WLTP cycle.